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(407) 834-5800
(407) 834-5800
Orlando, Florida
A voluntary, confidential process that resolves all divorce issues — asset division, child support, parenting plans, and spousal support — typically in one or two sessions.
What It Means
Divorce mediation in Florida is a structured, voluntary process in which a neutral, Florida Supreme Court-certified mediator facilitates negotiation of the issues of a divorce between both spouses. The mediator does not take sides or give legal advice. Both parties retain full decision-making authority over their settlement terms, which are then documented and prepared for submission to the court.
In Orange County, every divorce case is referred to mediation before it reaches a judge. This reflects what the Florida court system has consistently recognized: that couples who negotiate their own settlement are far more likely to honor it, maintain a workable co-parenting relationship, and avoid the financial and emotional cost of trial.
According to the Florida Courts, mediation resolves the majority of family law cases that enter the process. When both spouses sit across from a neutral facilitator rather than opposing attorneys, the dynamic shifts from combative to problem-solving.
Key Definitions
A legally binding contract signed by both spouses that records all financial terms of the divorce, including property division, debt allocation, support obligations, and retirement distributions.
A Florida court-required document that specifies each parent's time-sharing schedule, holiday arrangements, and decision-making responsibilities for shared children.
The legal term Florida courts use in place of "child custody" to describe the schedule concerning where children live and how parenting responsibilities are divided.
A neutral professional trained and credentialed by the Florida Supreme Court to facilitate settlement negotiations in family disputes without representing either party.
Florida Law
Governed by Chapter 44, Florida Statutes. Child support follows Section 61.30. Parenting plans governed by Section 61.13. Confidentiality protected under Section 44.405.
Full Coverage
ADR Mediation Center addresses every financial and parental issue required for a complete Florida divorce settlement.
| Divorce Issue | What ADR Mediation Center Resolves |
|---|---|
| Marital Property | ✓ Division of real estate, bank accounts, and investments based on a negotiated agreement |
| Shared Debt | ✓ Allocation of mortgages, credit cards, and joint liabilities |
| Child Support | ✓ Florida statutory calculation identifying the amount and the responsible parent |
| Spousal Support | ✓ Review of Florida alimony types; structure negotiated by both spouses |
| Retirement Accounts | ✓ Division of pensions, 401(k)s, and employer benefits accumulated during marriage |
| Parenting Plan | ✓ Weekly time-sharing schedule, holiday plan, and decision-making responsibilities |
| Post-Divorce Modifications | ✓ Support adjustments, relocation disputes, and time-sharing changes handled in future sessions |
In the few cases where full agreement cannot be reached on every issue, those unresolved items revert to the court for a judge to decide. The issues resolved in mediation remain part of the agreement.
What a Mediator Cannot Do
A Florida Supreme Court-certified mediator facilitates negotiation — the mediator does not give legal advice, tax advice, or financial advice to either party. Any reference on our website to issues of legality is from publicly available information and is not meant to represent legal advice.
The mediator does not represent either spouse, will not advise either party on what is legally advantageous in their specific situation, and will ensure that any document prepared represents the agreement of both parties.
Both parties are always encouraged to have the final agreement reviewed by an independent attorney before signing if they have concerns about their specific legal rights.
Who Divorce Mediation Is Right For
| Situation | Mediation | Attorney First |
|---|---|---|
| Both spouses willing to negotiate | ✓ | — |
| Children involved, co-parenting ongoing | ✓ | — |
| Significant shared assets or debts | ✓ | — |
| Communication broken down, both want resolution | ✓ | — |
| Court has ordered mediation | ✓ | — |
| Active domestic violence present | — | ✓ |
| One spouse acting in bad faith | — | ✓ |
| Severe power imbalance between spouses | — | ✓ |
Charles Geller is transparent about this from the initial consultation. If mediation is not appropriate for your circumstances, you will know that before you invest time or money in the process.
The Process
01
Both spouses are welcome to call together or separately. Charles Geller answers every question about the mediation process, explains what to expect, and provides the pre-session forms needed to prepare. Consultations are available by phone or Zoom. Virtual mediation is available for all Florida counties.
02
Both spouses meet with Charles Geller and work through every issue in a structured, neutral setting. Sessions are conducted in person at 933 Lee Road, Suite 406, Orlando, FL 32810, or virtually via Zoom. Each party always retains the right to consult with an attorney before signing. The average mediation runs approximately three to four hours across one or two sessions.
03
Once agreement is reached, ADR Mediation Center prepares the Marital Settlement Agreement, the Parenting Plan, and all documents required by the Florida court. Every document is reviewed and explained in detail before signing. Couples leave with a complete, court-ready file. If signed at our office, notarization is provided at no cost.
How It Works
No time limit, no obligation, no pressure. By phone or Zoom.
Sent in advance so your mediation time stays focused and cost-efficient.
Most couples complete their full divorce settlement in one or two sessions totaling three to four hours.
A dedicated one-hour session where every document is walked through before anything is finalized.
Billed hourly and collected at the end of each session.
Split into two payments — half before drafting begins, half upon completion.
| ADR Mediation Center | Litigated Divorce | |
|---|---|---|
| Initial cost | ✓ Free consultation | $3,000+ retainer per attorney |
| Session fee | ✓ Hourly, paid per session | Hourly attorney fees, both sides |
| Document preparation | ✓ Flat fee, split in two payments | Separate legal billing |
| Total cost | ✓ Typically less than one attorney retainer | Escalates with every hearing, letter, and court event |
| Time to settlement | ✓ Weeks | 10 to 12 months on average |
"We have guided Orlando families through this process for over 20 years. We realize that a divorce is frightening in many ways, and we take whatever time is necessary to support both people in reaching their decisions in the way that is most comfortable for them."
— Charles Geller, ADR Mediation Center
The Comparison
| Factor | Mediation at ADR Mediation Center | Litigation with Two Attorneys |
|---|---|---|
| Timeline | ✓ Weeks | 10 to 12 months average |
| Cost | ✓ Less than one attorney retainer | $3,000+ per attorney, escalates |
| Privacy | ✓ Fully confidential | Public court record |
| Control over outcome | ✓ Both spouses decide | Judge decides |
| Emotional environment | ✓ Cooperative, structured | Adversarial |
| Attorney required | ✓ No | Typically yes, both sides |
| Document preparation | ✓ Included in the process | Separate legal fees |
The American Bar Association notes that mediation consistently produces higher rates of long-term compliance with settlement terms than court-imposed judgments because both parties participate in creating the outcome. Couples who negotiate their own settlement tend to experience less long-term conflict, communicate more effectively as co-parents, and move forward without the resentment that adversarial litigation often leaves behind.
Your Mediator
Charles Geller brings something most mediators cannot offer — a combined background of 20+ years in family mediation and 30+ years as a therapist. He understands that divorce is not only a legal transaction. It is one of the most disorienting experiences a family goes through, and he approaches every session with the calm, balance, and patience that reflects that reality.
"A divorce is not only a legal transaction — it is one of the most disorienting experiences a family goes through."
Certification
Florida Supreme Court Certified — Family, Civil, and Appellate Mediation
Membership
Diplomate Member, Florida Academy of Professional Mediators
Clinical Background
30 years as a licensed clinical therapist working with families in conflict
Mediation Experience
20 years as a Florida Supreme Court-certified mediator
Coverage
In-person in Orlando and via Zoom across all 67 Florida counties
Court Relationships
Established court referral relationships in Central Florida
Client Testimonials
Orlando families who chose mediation over litigation — and found a better path forward.
"Charles made it as painless as it could possibly be, considering the reason for needing his services. He was calm, fair, and kept us both focused on what mattered. We finished in two sessions and walked out with everything settled."
"Mr. Geller was very professional and easy to work with. Made the process as painless as possible. He was calm, fair, and kept us both focused on what mattered. We finished in two sessions and walked out with everything settled."
"Charles was professional, efficient, and understanding. I would recommend Charles to anyone who seeks to resolve matters quickly and fairly. We had a complex asset situation and he guided us through every detail."
Join hundreds of Central Florida families who chose mediation over litigation.
Common Questions
In Orange County, virtually every divorce case goes to mediation before a judge hears it. Over 90 percent of cases with a combined income above $50,000 reach full or partial settlement through mediation.
No, an attorney is not required. Our Florida Supreme Court-certified mediators complete the entire process, including all court documentation, without either party needing to hire a lawyer. You always retain the right to have a lawyer with you during the mediation or to consult one before signing.
A complete mediation at ADR Mediation Center typically costs less than the retainer for one attorney. Each litigating attorney starts at a retainer of $3,000 or more, with fees escalating through every hearing and court event.
Most couples settle in one or two sessions totaling three to four hours, plus a one-hour signing session. Litigated divorces average ten to twelve months from filing to final judgment in Florida courts.
Yes. Under Section 44.405, Florida Statutes, all mediation communications are privileged and inadmissible in court. This covers both joint sessions and any private communications between one party and the mediator.
Disclosures involving child abuse, elder abuse, or a plan to commit a crime are not privileged and must be reported under Florida law. All other mediation communications remain fully protected.
Unresolved issues revert to a judge to decide. Issues already resolved remain binding. We typically reach full settlement, but partial agreements still reduce the scope and cost of any remaining litigation.
Yes. We build a fully customized parenting plan covering weekly time-sharing, holidays, and shared decision-making responsibilities, tailored to both parents and governed by Section 61.13, Florida Statutes.
Yes. We offer virtual mediation via Zoom for couples across all Florida counties. In-person sessions are available at our Orlando office at 933 Lee Road, Suite 406. Both options include full documentation and signing.
Get in Touch
Have a question about divorce mediation? Fill out the form below and Charles Geller will respond within one business day.
Take the First Step
At ADR Mediation Center, Charles Geller makes the process straightforward, private, and built around what works for your specific situation — not what a judge decides is fair to strangers.
