Legal disputes can be emotionally exhausting, financially burdensome, and time-consuming. Mediation offers a powerful alternative—one that emphasizes cooperation, privacy, and control. As a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Family Mediator, I help clients resolve legal matters through respectful, solutions-oriented dialogue rather than courtroom battles.
At the Law Offices of Jared I. Loucel, P.A., I provide mediation services in Fruit Cove, St. Johns County, and across Northeast Florida in the areas of family law, probate, and guardianship. Whether you are dealing with a divorce, a timesharing dispute, or a disagreement about an estate or incapacitated adult, I can help guide you toward resolution.
Mediation is a voluntary, confidential process in which a neutral third party (the mediator) facilitates communication between disputing parties to help them reach a mutually acceptable agreement. Unlike a judge, a mediator does not make decisions for the parties. Instead, the mediator helps clarify issues, encourage understanding, and explore workable solutions.
In Florida, mediation is widely used in family law cases and is often required by the courts before trial. Mediation is also increasingly used in probate and guardianship matters, especially when families want to avoid costly and contentious litigation.
As a certified circuit court mediator, I specialize in resolving complex and sensitive family law disputes, including:
Whether the case is in the pre-filing phase or already in litigation, mediation can create a private, less adversarial path to settlement. I work with both represented and unrepresented parties, tailoring my approach to the specific needs and emotional dynamics of each family.
In addition to family mediation, I offer probate mediation and guardianship mediation services. These types of disputes often involve family members with deeply rooted emotions and competing visions of care, fairness, or inheritance. Common issues include:
While I am not certified specifically for probate or guardianship mediation, I am qualified and available to serve in these matters upon court appointment and with the consent of all parties. My legal experience in probate, guardianship, and fiduciary responsibilities gives me the insight to guide these emotionally charged discussions with professionalism and empathy.
Mediation offers several distinct advantages over litigation, including:
Legal fees and court costs add up quickly in contested litigation. Mediation is usually far less expensive and avoids prolonged delays.
Court calendars can stretch cases over many months or even years. Mediation sessions can be scheduled quickly and may result in immediate agreements.
Unlike courtroom proceedings, which are public record, mediation is confidential and protects your privacy.
In mediation, the parties—not a judge—decide the outcome. This allows for more creative, customized agreements that meet your unique needs.
Especially in family, probate, and guardianship matters, mediation helps preserve relationships that might otherwise be destroyed by litigation.
I offer pre-filing mediation services for parties who wish to reach agreements before going to court. This proactive approach is ideal for uncontested divorces, family restructuring, or amicable settlement of inheritance issues.
I also provide court-referred or post-filing mediation once a case has been filed. As a Florida-licensed attorney, I understand the procedural context and judicial expectations in both the Seventh Judicial Circuit (St. Johns County) and Fourth Judicial Circuit (Duval County and surrounding areas).
Whether you are an attorney seeking a qualified mediator to assist in settlement, or an individual navigating the legal system without representation, I offer structured mediation that encourages honest dialogue and pragmatic outcomes.
I can conduct in-person sessions in Northeast Florida or Zoom mediations statewide, depending on your needs and preferences.
While not required, it’s often beneficial to have an attorney advise you throughout the mediation process, especially regarding local laws and procedures in Duval, Clay, and St. Johns Counties.
If mediation is unsuccessful, you can still pursue litigation in the appropriate court in your county.
The length varies depending on the complexity of the issues and the parties’ willingness to negotiate.
If you are seeking a family mediator in St. Johns County, or need help resolving a probate or guardianship dispute with dignity and discretion, I invite you to contact me for a confidential consultation.
Monday-Thursday: 9:00am-4:30pm
Friday: By appointment only
Saturday-Sunday: Closed
1629 Race Track Road
Suite 103
Saint Johns, FL 32259
9310 Old Kings Road South
Suite 302
Jacksonville, FL 32257
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