Settlement Negotiations & Agreements
An Efficient Approach to Divorce & Family Law
The vast majority of family cases are settled out of court. Settlement negotiations may take place through face-to-face meetings between the clients or with attorneys. The most efficient way to negotiate is directly with your spouse or partner. Settlement negotiations differ from litigation because they reduce the back and forth communications between lawyers and allow for more efficient and productive communications.
The benefits of settlement negotiations are that they should save you time and money, and privately help you resolve all of your disputes with your spouse. The downsides are that direct settlement negotiations can be stressful for the parties and such negotiations do not include any formal commitments or guidelines for either party or attorneys, such as exist in the Collaborative Process, which has guidelines, statutes, and rules that govern the process.
Regardless of the method used to help you resolve your family matter, our goal is to help you make informed decisions so you can create a future after your divorce that is beneficial for you and your family.
Defining the Terms of Your Divorce
Settlement agreements are used to memorialize the terms of our clients’. Such agreements are contracts, so the drafting skills of the attorneys involved in the preparation of a settlement agreement are very important. We normally prepare our clients’ settlement agreements, although we are occasionally asked to review agreements that are prepared by the other party’s attorney.
Our goals in preparing or evaluating a settlement agreement are to accurately memorialize the terms of the parties’ agreement, to address as many issues and contingencies as possible, and to suggest possible solutions to potential future problems. Our clients always participate in the negotiation of settlement agreements. The terms and the effect of each of the settlement agreement provisions are explained to our clients in detail, as are the consequences of entering or not entering into the agreement.
A Family Attorney You Can Trust
Empowering Clients
We strongly encourage clients to be active participants throughout our entire representation. Having a hand in deciding your future can help you take back some control in a situation that feels uncertain or hopeless. Let us help you take the first steps toward a brighter future.
Providing Guidance
We are here to be your trusted advisor. We will be with you every step of the way so you never have to feel unheard, disrespected, or ignored, and we will help guide you to a successful outcome for your Collaborative Divorce Process, Mediation, Prenuptial/Postnuptial Agreement, or Direct Negotiations. Our goal is to ensure that our clients are satisfied with the end results.
Our Philosophy
Robert J. Merlin, P.A. is an equal opportunity employer and law firm. We have a productive work environment and a safe place for our clients and their families. We do not discriminate against anyone, and our doors are open to people of all races, cultures, religions, sexual identities, and physical abilities. Our firm supports Equality Means Business, a project of Equality Florida.
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305-448-1555
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