A Family Law Professional With Multiple Perspectives

Family law disputes can look very different depending on the role of the professional involved.

An attorney advocates for a client. A mediator facilitates negotiations between parties. A parenting coordinator can help parents implement parenting arrangements and address recurring conflict. A Guardian ad Litem focuses on the best interests of a child.

Rachael's experience in each of these areas gives her a broad perspective on the issues that can determine whether a family dispute moves toward resolution or continued conflict.

Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediation

As a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator , Rachael assists parties attempting to resolve family law disputes through mediation.

Unlike a judge, a mediator does not decide who wins or impose a resolution. Mediation provides the parties with a structured process for discussing disputed issues, evaluating possible compromises, and determining whether they can reach an agreement.

Family law mediation may address:

Successful mediation can give parties greater control over the resolution of their case and may avoid some of the financial cost, delay, and uncertainty associated with continued litigation.

Parenting Coordination After a Court Order

Entry of a final judgment or parenting plan does not necessarily end conflict between parents.

Disagreements can continue over schedules, exchanges, communication, school activities, medical decisions, extracurricular activities, holidays, and the day-to-day implementation of a parenting plan.

As a Parenting Coordinator, Rachael works with parents dealing with these continuing issues. Parenting coordination can help parents implement existing parenting arrangements, improve communication, address recurring disagreements, and keep the focus on their children.

Reducing repeated parental conflict can be particularly important when parents must continue working together long after their court case ends.

Guardian ad Litem and Child Advocacy

Rachael has served as a Guardian ad Litem since 1996 .

In family law proceedings involving children, a Guardian ad Litem may be appointed to investigate circumstances affecting a child's welfare and advocate for the child's best interests.

That work may involve interviewing parents and other individuals, reviewing relevant information and records, investigating disputed issues, and providing information or recommendations to the court.

Decades of Guardian ad Litem experience give Rachael another important perspective on family disputes: how parental conflict and proposed resolutions may affect the children involved.

Why Litigation Experience Matters in Mediation

Mediation and litigation require different roles, but litigation experience can provide valuable perspective during settlement discussions.

Rachael's family law courtroom experience helps her recognize issues that may become important if a dispute cannot be resolved and ultimately proceeds before a judge.

That experience can be useful when evaluating:

• The legal issues actually in dispute
• The strengths and weaknesses of competing positions
• Practical litigation risks
• Potential areas of compromise
• Whether proposed settlement terms are realistic
• Issues that may ultimately require judicial resolution

The mediator remains neutral, but understanding how family law disputes develop and are litigated can help facilitate informed and productive negotiations.

An Accounting Background for Financial Family Law Issues

Family law is frequently as much about finances as it is about relationships.

Rachael earned a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Appalachian State University before earning her Juris Doctor from Florida State University College of Law.

Her financial background provides useful context for family law matters involving:

• Equitable distribution
• Assets and liabilities
• Business ownership interests
• Financial disclosures
• Child support
• Alimony
• Other financially complex divorce issues

The combination of legal, litigation, mediation, and accounting experience is particularly useful when a family law dispute involves both significant financial questions and difficult interpersonal issues.

When Should Families Consider Mediation?

Mediation can be considered at different stages of a family law dispute.

Some parties use mediation to resolve an uncontested or relatively cooperative divorce. Others mediate after litigation has begun and significant issues remain disputed. Mediation may also be useful when parties need to address post-judgment disagreements or modifications.

Not every case will settle, and mediation is not appropriate for every circumstance. But when parties can participate meaningfully in the process, mediation may provide an opportunity to resolve disputes without asking a judge to make every decision for the family.