Divorce Mediation Attorney in St. Johns County

A Calmer Path Through Divorce For Your Family

If you are considering divorce and want to avoid a drawn-out courtroom fight, mediation can offer a more private and controlled way forward. As a divorce mediation attorney, St. Johns County residents can work with me from nearby Jacksonville. I help clients explore whether a mediated approach fits their situation and goals.

Divorce is stressful, especially if you have children, complex finances, or a spouse in the military. You may worry about protecting your future, shielding your children from conflict, and understanding what Florida law expects of you. My role is to give you clear legal guidance while you work toward practical, durable agreements through mediation.

I am Board Certified in Marital and Family Law in Florida, and I am a former Florida Supreme Court Family Law Mediator. At my solo practice, Charles E. Willmott, P.A., clients work directly with me, not layers of staff. I also offer free initial consultations so you can ask questions and understand your options without pressure.

Considering mediation for your divorce? Speak with a trusted divorce mediation attorney and schedule a consultation online or call us at (904) 849-5183.

Why I Focus On Mediation

Litigated divorces can consume time, money, and emotional energy. Parents in St. Johns County often tell me they are afraid of the toll a public court battle could take on their children and on their ability to co-parent after the case ends. Mediation offers a different framework where you retain more control over timing, tone, and possible outcomes.

In mediation, you and your spouse work with a neutral to resolve key issues, and then the court typically reviews your written agreements. The process is usually more private than a contested hearing, and you can shape solutions that fit your family’s schedule, finances, and values. My goal is to help you use Florida family law to build agreements that are realistic and long-term, not simply quick fixes.

My decision to concentrate my practice on family law and mediation is rooted in my background. I have been licensed to practice in Florida since 1994 and have been Board Certified in Marital and Family Law since 2008. I am also a former Florida Supreme Court Family Law Mediator and a former divorce mediator, so I understand both the advocate’s role and the neutral’s perspective in a mediation room.

Because I am a solo practitioner, clients receive direct, straightforward communication from me. When you are making decisions about your children, your property, and your future, I believe you deserve to speak with the attorney who is actually handling your case. That level of personal attention can make mediation feel more manageable, even when emotions are high.

How Divorce Mediation Works

Many people hesitate to pursue mediation because they are not sure what to expect. Understanding the basic structure can make the process feel less intimidating. Although every case is different, the same core stages tend to appear in most mediated divorces that involve Florida law and St. Johns County courts.

The process usually begins with an initial consultation, where we discuss your situation, your concerns, and whether mediation is appropriate. If you decide to move forward, I help you gather financial documents, information about your children, and any other materials that will inform negotiations. Careful preparation allows you to walk into mediation with a clear picture of your options and limits.

During mediation sessions, the mediator serves as a neutral facilitator who helps you and your spouse communicate and explore settlement options. I attend as your advocate, and I provide legal advice about how the proposed terms relate to Florida law. Some sessions occur with everyone in the same room, and others may involve separate meetings, depending on the mediator’s approach and the level of conflict.

We typically work through topics in a logical order, starting with areas where compromise may be easier and moving toward more difficult issues. When progress is made, the mediator or attorneys usually prepare written terms that can become part of a marital settlement agreement or parenting plan. For cases filed in St. Johns County, those documents are generally submitted to the circuit court that has your case for review and approval, subject to the judge’s discretion.

Sessions can take place in person or, in many cases, by secure video conference, which is often convenient for clients who live in St. Johns County and work in Jacksonville or beyond. The number of sessions depends on the complexity of your case and your ability to compromise. Some matters resolve in a single longer session, while others require several shorter meetings over time.

In most divorce mediations, clients work to resolve issues such as:

• Property division, including homes, retirement accounts, and debts
• Time-sharing schedules and parenting plans for minor children
• Child support in line with Florida guidelines
• Alimony, where appropriate under Florida law
• Responsibility for future expenses, such as extracurricular activities or college planning

As your attorney, I prepare you for each session, help you evaluate proposals, and make sure you understand the legal impact of any agreement before you sign. My former experience as a divorce mediator helps me anticipate how a neutral may view particular offers and where adjustments might increase the chances of reaching common ground.

Complex Cases & Special Situations

Many spouses worry that their case is too complicated or contentious for mediation. In my practice, I frequently work with people whose lives do not fit a simple pattern, including families with significant assets, business interests, military careers, or children from multiple relationships in St. Johns County and surrounding areas.

High asset divorces raise legitimate concerns about valuation, tax impact, and long-term financial security. If you own a business, hold multiple properties, or have substantial retirement accounts, you may be unsure how to divide them fairly. I draw on decades of family law experience to help you understand your rights under Florida law, and then we examine how different settlement options may affect your financial future before you agree to anything in mediation.

Military families face their own set of challenges. Orders can change quickly, deployments affect time sharing, and military retirement benefits require careful analysis. As a family lawyer with a focus on military divorce, I am familiar with the issues that can arise when one or both spouses serve in the armed forces. When we prepare for mediation, we talk through how to address relocations, parenting arrangements across distance, and division of benefits within the framework of Florida statutes and applicable federal rules.

Blended families and parents with children from multiple relationships also face complex parenting questions. Schedules may involve several households, school districts, and extracurricular activities throughout this region. My earlier work as a social investigator in the Fourth Judicial Circuit gave me insight into how courts evaluate the best interests of children. I use that perspective to help you design realistic parenting plans that judges are more likely to accept and that work in day-to-day life.

Mediation can sometimes succeed even when there is significant tension, provided both spouses are willing to participate in good faith and listen to proposals. Part of my role is to be candid with you about whether mediation is a productive option, and to help you adjust strategy if certain issues prove too difficult to resolve fully in that setting.

Working With My Family Law Practice

Choosing an attorney for mediation support is a personal decision. When you contact my office, you speak with me about your concerns, your timeline, and your priorities. Many of my clients live in St. Johns County and appreciate that they can meet in Jacksonville or schedule remote consultations if that is more practical with work and family demands.

During a free initial consultation, I typically ask about your family structure, your financial picture, and your goals for life after divorce. I then explain how mediation could fit into your case, including how it relates to any pending court deadlines. You leave that meeting with a clearer sense of your options and of how I would work with you if you decide to proceed.

As we move forward, I focus on preparation. That includes reviewing financial information, discussing what is most important to you, and identifying areas where compromise might be acceptable. I also explain how judges in Florida, including those who hear St. Johns County matters, often view common issues such as parenting schedules, support, and property distribution. This context helps you practically evaluate settlement proposals.

While I cannot guarantee results, my long experience in family law and my Martindale Hubbell ratings reflect a commitment to thorough preparation and professional conduct. Throughout your case, I stay in direct contact to answer questions, explain developments, and adjust strategy as needed. My goal is to help you use mediation to reduce conflict where possible and to position your case well if any issues must still be addressed by the court.

If you are ready to explore mediation as a way to resolve your divorce more calmly and thoughtfully, I invite you to schedule a consultation. We can discuss your specific situation, review what mediation might look like for you, and determine whether working together is the right fit with a divorce mediation lawyer St. Johns County families can rely on for candid guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if mediation is right for my divorce?

Mediation is often a good fit when both spouses are willing to exchange information and genuinely try to reach an agreement. During a consultation, I review your facts, conflict level, and goals, then offer an honest view on whether mediation is likely to be productive in your case.

Can mediation work if my spouse and I do not agree on much?

Mediation can still help even when you disagree, as long as both of you are willing to participate and listen. The process is designed to narrow disputes step by step. I help you prepare, understand your options, and respond constructively to proposals, even in higher conflict situations.

How do you handle complex assets or a military divorce in mediation?

In complex or military-related divorces, I start by identifying all assets, benefits, and obligations. We then discuss how Florida law treats those items and what realistic settlement ranges may look like. That preparation allows you to negotiate in mediation with a clear view of the long-term impact.

Will I meet with you directly during my mediation case?

Yes. As a solo practitioner, I work directly with my clients throughout their cases. You do not get passed from person to person. When questions arise about mediation strategy or proposed terms, you talk with me so you receive consistent, informed guidance.

What happens if mediation does not resolve every issue?

If some issues remain unresolved after mediation, any partial agreements are usually still valuable. They can be submitted to the court, which narrows what remains in dispute. We then discuss next steps, which may include further negotiation or asking the court to decide the remaining points.

Speak with an experienced divorce mediation attorney today—schedule your free consultation online or call us at (904) 849-5183 to discuss your situation.