Mediation

Litigation is expensive, unpredictable, and exhausting. A single trial can consume years of your life and tens of thousands of dollars with no guarantee of the outcome you need. There is a better way.

Charles "Trip" Bechert III is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit and Family Court Mediator the highest level of mediator certification available in Florida. With over 30 years of litigation experience on both sides of the table, as a prosecutor, as defense counsel, and as an advocate for individuals, he brings a uniquely informed perspective to the mediation table. He has mediated disputes ranging from small claims matters to multi-million dollar civil cases, and everything in between. His approach is direct, impartial, and relentlessly focused on resolution.

What Is Mediation in Florida?

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Mediation is a voluntary, confidential dispute resolution process in which a neutral third party, the
mediator, facilitates communication and negotiation between disputing parties to help them reach a
mutually acceptable agreement. The mediator does not decide the case; the parties decide the outcome. Agreements reached in mediation are binding when signed by the parties. Florida courts require mediation in most civil and family cases before a judge will hear the disputed issues. Mediation is also used pre-suit, before a lawsuit is filed, as a cost-effective way to resolve disputes without entering the court system.

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Mediation Services in Pompano Beach and South Florida

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Family Court Mediation
Florida courts require mediation in contested divorce cases, custody disputes, and most family law
matters before trial. Mediation allows both parties to reach agreements on time-sharing, child support,
alimony, and asset division in a private setting, without the emotional and financial toll of a courthouse battle. As a Supreme Court Certified Family Court Mediator, Trip Bechert brings genuine expertise and authority to every family mediation session.

Circuit Court Mediation
Circuit court mediation covers civil disputes beyond family matters: contract disputes, personal injury cases, business conflicts, property disputes, and more. As a Supreme Court Certified Circuit Mediator, Trip Bechert is authorized to mediate any case in Florida's circuit courts, including complex multi-million dollar matters.

Pre-Suit Mediation
Resolving a dispute before filing a lawsuit saves both parties substantial time and money. Pre-suit mediation has no formal rules of court, the parties and mediator set the process. It is particularly effective in business disputes, neighbor conflicts, contract disagreements, and family inheritance disputes where relationships matter. We can schedule pre-suit mediation sessions quickly and efficiently.

Online / Virtual Mediation
We offer fully virtual mediation sessions via Zoom or FaceTime for parties who prefer not to appear in
person, or who are located outside of South Florida. Virtual mediation is equally effective, and eliminates travel, scheduling challenges, and the logistical complexity of in-person sessions.

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Why Choose a Trial Attorney as Your Mediator?

Trip Bechert is not only a certified mediator — he is an experienced trial attorney who has litigated
cases from small claims court to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. This background is not incidental. It is essential.
A mediator who has never tried a case cannot accurately assess case value, anticipate how a judge or jury might rule, or identify weaknesses in either party's position. Trip Bechert brings 30 years of courtroom experience to every mediation session. He understands the true value of cases, because he has tried them.

This trial perspective drives more realistic negotiations, faster resolution, and agreements that hold up because both parties understand that the mediator knows exactly what the alternative looks like.