Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator
Marc M. Cohen is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator with more than 20 years of mediation experience. This certification, awarded by the Florida Supreme Court, recognizes attorneys who have completed extensive training in mediation techniques and family law, and who maintain ongoing education requirements. It represents one of the highest credentials available to family law mediators in Florida.
Mediation is a structured process where a neutral third party - the mediator - helps divorcing or disputing parties reach their own agreements on issues such as property division, custody, child support, and alimony. Unlike litigation, where a judge makes decisions for you, mediation puts the parties in control of the outcome.
Why Choose Mediation?
Mediation offers significant advantages over traditional litigation for many family law matters:
- Cost-Effective: Mediation typically costs a fraction of what litigation costs, saving both parties significant attorney's fees and court costs
- Faster Resolution: While litigation can drag on for months or years, mediation can resolve disputes in one or several sessions
- Confidential: Unlike court proceedings, which are public record, mediation discussions are confidential
- Less Adversarial: Mediation reduces conflict between parties, which is especially important when children are involved and co-parenting will continue after the divorce
- Greater Control: Parties create their own solutions rather than having a judge impose decisions on them
- Better Compliance: Agreements reached through mediation typically have higher compliance rates than court-ordered judgments because both parties had a voice in creating them
- Preserves Relationships: The collaborative nature of mediation helps preserve the ability of parties to communicate and co-parent effectively
When Mediation Is Required
In Florida, most family law cases in Palm Beach County and Broward County are required to attend mediation before a trial can be scheduled. This is true for divorce, custody, and other family law disputes. Florida courts recognize that mediation resolves a significant percentage of cases, saving judicial resources and producing outcomes that are often more satisfactory to both parties.
Marc Cohen's Mediation Approach
With over two decades of mediation experience, Marc employs a patient, analytical approach to helping families find common ground:
- Understanding Each Party's Priorities: Before proposing solutions, Marc takes the time to understand what matters most to each party - not just their legal positions, but their underlying interests and concerns
- Financial Clarity: His MBA in Quantitative Analysis allows him to help parties understand the financial implications of different settlement options, ensuring informed decision-making
- Creative Problem-Solving: Not every solution fits neatly into standard legal templates. Marc works to develop creative approaches that address both parties' needs
- Child-Focused: In cases involving children, Marc keeps the focus on the children's best interests, helping parents move beyond personal grievances to create workable parenting arrangements
Dual Expertise: Marc Cohen's unique position as both a practicing family law attorney and a certified mediator means he understands mediation from both sides - as a mediator facilitating resolution and as an attorney advocating for clients in mediation. This dual perspective is invaluable whether you hire Marc as your mediator or as your attorney in a mediated negotiation.
What Issues Can Be Mediated?
Virtually any family law issue can be addressed through mediation, including:
- Division of marital property and debts (equitable distribution)
- Alimony/spousal support terms
- Parenting plans and timesharing schedules
- Child support calculations
- Relocation disputes
- Post-judgment modifications
- Prenuptial and postnuptial agreement disputes
Mediation Process
A typical mediation session with Marc M. Cohen follows this structure:
- Pre-Mediation Preparation: Both parties and their attorneys submit position statements and relevant financial documents before the session
- Opening Session: Marc explains the mediation process, ground rules, and confidentiality protections
- Joint and Separate Sessions: Marc may meet with both parties together or in separate "caucus" sessions to discuss issues privately
- Negotiation: Through facilitated discussion, the parties work toward agreement on each issue
- Agreement: If the parties reach agreement, the terms are documented in a written mediation agreement that becomes binding
Contact a Boca Raton Certified Mediator
Whether you need a mediator for your family law dispute or an attorney to represent you in mediation, Marc M. Cohen, P.A. offers the experience and certification you need. Call (561) 740-3301 or contact us online. We serve clients throughout Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, and all of South Florida.
Serving Communities Throughout South Florida
Marc M. Cohen, P.A. provides experienced legal representation in communities throughout Palm Beach County and Broward County:
- Family Law Mediator in Boca Raton
- Family Law Mediator in Boynton Beach
- Family Law Mediator in Delray Beach
- Family Law Mediator in Deerfield Beach
- Family Law Mediator in Pompano Beach
- Family Law Mediator in West Palm Beach
- Family Law Mediator in Fort Lauderdale
- Family Law Mediator in Coral Springs
- Family Law Mediator in Parkland
- Family Law Mediator in Wellington
- Family Law Mediator in Lake Worth
- Family Law Mediator in Jupiter
- Family Law Mediator in Palm Beach Gardens
See also: Palm Beach County Family Law | Broward County Family Law | South Florida Family Law