Think of the Children:  The Importance of Developing a Parenting Plan

Kathy Macchione Leggett - Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil, Family & Dependency Law Mediator

When a relationship reached the point where the only step forward is divorce, it is important to remember that you are not the only one whose emotions are running high, who is experiencing stress, and whose life will change drastically as a result of the outcome of this divorce.  The most important thing to consider is the emotional well being of your children.  Sadly, child custody is often used as a tool for manipulation in traditional divorce litigation.  Often the parents get subconsciously pulled into this thinking and do unintentional emotional harm to their families.  But in choosing divorce mediation, you choose a “friendly” divorce in that you sit down and come up with a plan that suits both parties and keeps the best interests of the children up front.

Divorce mediation is not for blame or vengeance.  While divorce is a difficult time for all involved parties, and there will be disagreements during the process, a Florida Supreme Court Certified neutral mediator, at Mediation & Counseling Consultants, can assist you in working though the hard feelings and help you focus on the conversation that will lead to the decisions that will be the framework for how your family will interact in the future.  The outcome is, more often than not, more agreeable to everyone involved, as it is they themselves who drafted the plan to begin with. 

For more information on the process, please call 863-207-4402 or visit our website:  www.MediationAndCounselingConsultants.com