Divorce Mediation
Andrew Nickolaou is both a Board Certified Family Law Specialist and a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator, which means he understands what prompts judges to rule in certain ways at trial and how to negotiate an agreement to avoid a trial.

Experienced Divorce Mediation Services in Orlando

Divorce mediation allows couples to negotiate custody, asset division, and support terms outside of court — often faster, at lower cost, and with greater privacy than traditional litigation. Bernal-Mora & Nickolaou, P.A. guides Orlando families through the mediation process with the advantage of a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator on staff. Our Orlando divorce mediation attorney provides board-certified family law experience to help you reach a resolution that protects your interests and your children’s well-being.

Why Choose Bernal-Mora & Nickolaou for Orlando Divorce Mediation?

Andrew Nickolaou, Esq., B.C.S. is both a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law and a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator, a designation that requires specialized training and rigorous certification. This combination of experience and skills means Andrew Nickolaou understands how judges may rule at trial and how to structure an agreement to avoid a trial. Co-founder Ophelia Bernal-Mora, Esq., B.C.S. holds the same Board Certification in Family Law. Only 7% of eligible Florida Bar members are board-certified in any specialty.

What sets Bernal-Mora & Nickolaou apart:

  • Both founding attorneys are Board Certified Specialists in Family Law (B.C.S.), among the highest credentials available from the Florida Bar
  • Andrew Nickolaou: Board Certified Family Law Specialist and Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator
  • Exclusive family law focus — every attorney, every case, only family law
  • Both founding partners personally involved in every client matter, reviewed from multiple angles
  • 24/7 phone availability 
  • Dedicated mediation services through our sister mediation practice
  • Recognized with Florida Super Lawyers, Top 40 Under 40, Florida Legal Elite, and AVVO ratings
  • Serving clients across Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, and Volusia counties
  • Spanish-language services available

Ophelia Bernal-Mora and Andrew Nickolaou founded this firm together, as a couple, which means when we say “Let Our Family Help Yours,” it’s more than a tagline. Clients work directly with founding attorneys who understand family dynamics from the inside, in every sense.

How Does Divorce Mediation Work in Florida?

Divorce mediation is a confidential, structured process in which a neutral third party, the mediator, helps both spouses identify their priorities and work toward a voluntary agreement. The mediator does not decide anything or advocate for either side. Their role is to open communication and help both parties find workable solutions on their own terms.

Florida law states that courts “shall refer to mediation” contested parenting and custody disputes to mediation in circuits with established family mediation programs, unless domestic violence concerns are present. Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit Court, serving Orange and Osceola Counties, has such a program. Therefore, most contested parenting disputes in the Orlando area go through mediation before any trial. Financial issues, property division, alimony, debt, may also be referred at the court’s direction.

The typical Florida divorce mediation process:

  1. Mediator selection — Parties agree on a certified mediator, or the court appoints one.
  2. Session scheduling — Sessions run 2–4 hours, held in-person or virtually, sometimes across multiple meetings.
  3. Opening exchange — Each party presents their position and priorities, usually with their attorney present.
  4. Facilitated negotiation — The mediator guides discussion, identifies areas of agreement, and helps each side evaluate their options realistically.
  5. Agreement or impasse — If agreement is reached, the mediator prepares a written agreement and submits it to the court for approval. If not, the mediator reports impasse to the court without comment or recommendation, and the case proceeds toward litigation.
  6. Court approval — Under Florida’s family mediation statute, the mediator-prepared consent order is submitted to the judge and, once approved, is enforceable as a court order.

Each divorce case and mediation is unique. Our experienced mediation lawyers explain how mediation works in your case and guides you through each step in the process. 

What Issues Can Divorce Mediation Resolve in Florida?

Mediation can address virtually every financial and parenting issue in a Florida divorce, including:

Mediation is not appropriate in every situation. Florida law explicitly limits mandatory mediation referrals in cases where domestic violence concerns would compromise the process. Domestic violence situations in a Florida divorce require a different legal approach. Mediation is also not well-suited to cases with credible evidence of hidden assets, a significant power imbalance between the parties, or a spouse who refuses to negotiate in good faith.

How Does Divorce Mediation Compare to Going to Court?

To make a clear-eyed decision, it helps to know how the Florida divorce process works in both settings.

  • Cost: A contested trial involves extended discovery, depositions, expert witnesses, and months of attorney hours. Mediation avoids most of that expense. The total cost is typically a fraction of what a litigated divorce runs.
  • Time: Mediated agreements typically finalize in weeks to a few months. Contested Florida divorces that go to trial can stretch 12–18 months or longer.
  • Privacy: Florida’s Mediation Confidentiality and Privilege Act generally makes mediation communications confidential, subject to statutory exceptions in § 44.405. Court proceedings are public record.
  • Control: In court, a judge imposes an outcome. In mediation, you and your spouse make the decisions, with your attorneys advising you throughout.
  • Co-parenting relationship: Adversarial litigation increases conflict between parents. Mediation is structured to preserve communication, which matters when you’ll be raising children together for years after the case closes.

For a closer look at how collaborative divorce and mediation compare as out-of-court alternatives, our blog covers both options in depth.

What to Expect When You Mediate Your Divorce in Orlando

Before your first mediation session, your attorney will help you prepare: organizing financial documents, clarifying your priorities, and anticipating where disagreements are most likely. Arriving prepared protects your interests and keeps sessions on track.

During mediation, your attorney is with you to advise you on the legal implications of any proposed term before you agree to anything. The mediator may facilitate joint discussions or meet with each side separately, depending on what works best for your case.

If the parties reach a full agreement, under Florida’s family mediation law the mediator prepares a written agreement for both attorneys and parties to review. If approved and incorporated by the court, the settlement becomes enforceable as part of the final judgment. If mediation ends without agreement, the case moves toward trial, though even a partial resolution at mediation can narrow the issues a judge must decide, making any eventual hearing shorter and less costly.

Talk to an Orlando Divorce Mediation Attorney Today

Divorce is hard. How you resolve it doesn’t have to make it harder or more expensive. At Bernal-Mora & Nickolaou, P.A., our board-certified attorneys and Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator are ready to help. Contact us to schedule a consultation. Let our family help yours.

Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce Mediation in Florida

Is divorce mediation required in Florida?

Florida’s court-ordered mediation law requires courts in circuits with established family mediation programs to refer contested parenting, custody, and visitation disputes to mediation before trial, unless domestic violence concerns make that inappropriate. Orange County’s Ninth Judicial Circuit has such a program, so most contested parenting disputes in the Orlando area will go through mediation. Financial issues may also be referred at the court’s discretion. Even when mediation isn’t court-ordered, most contested divorces in Florida go through at least one mediation session before any trial date.

What happens if we can’t reach an agreement in mediation?

If mediation ends without a full agreement, the mediator reports that fact to the court without adding any comment, recommendation, or opinion about either party’s position. Your divorce then proceeds toward trial. That said, even a partial agreement can narrow the contested issues significantly, reducing how much a judge must decide and lowering the cost and time of any eventual hearing for both parties.

Can I have an attorney with me during divorce mediation?

Yes, and for cases involving children, significant assets, or complex financial issues, it is strongly recommended. Having your attorney present means you can get legal advice on any proposed term before you commit to it. At Bernal-Mora & Nickolaou, our board-certified attorneys represent clients through the mediation process. When Andrew Nickolaou serves as the neutral mediator, both parties benefit from his deep expertise in exactly what Florida family courts expect.