Florida attorney and family mediator, Diane Danois, recently set out a number of myths and misunderstandings that may affect decision making when separating and divorcing:

Diane Danois
#1 Myth: Using a mediator precludes me from consulting with a lawyer.
#2 Myth: The first step is filing and “serving” my spouse.
#3 Myth: I have to resolve all of our issues in mediation.
#4 Myth: I have to be in the same room as my spouse.
#5 Myth: I won’t be able to consult with experts (accountants, realtors, etc.) to help me make final decisions. I will be all alone in my decision-making, and won’t get what I deserve.
#6 Myth: I will be getting legal advice from a mediator, instead of a lawyer.
None of these statements is correct in Florida (or in Ontario for that matter) as Danois explains in her recent article on The Huffington Post.