Let us Guide you through. When Family Matters
There are other ways, smart ways, to get divorced and to deal with a family matter. By understanding your options, you can control a situation that seems out of control. I am committed to the options that protect your post-divorce family and your finances.
Family law situations are a blend of economic, emotional, and psychological issues. It is my philosophy to acknowledge this reality by being accessible to my clients, by assisting my clients in identifying and prioritizing their needs, and by pursuing a process that is in their best interests.
How May We Help You?
A collaborative approach allowing you to work with a neutral third party to reach agreements while staying in control of the outcome.
Work with your own attorney trained in collaborative law to reach resolutions respectfully, without going to court.
A flexible approach incorporating attorney representation with solution based focus.
Protect your interests with attorney negotiated and drafted prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.
Apply proven family mediation skills to resolve civil disputes of all kinds, helping parties move forward positively.
A flexible approach combining the benefits of mediation and traditional representation for your unique situation.
Accessible, understanding, and committed to your best interests
Creating a safe space where every voice is heard
Helping you reach clear agreements that support your family’s next chapter
Regina F. Zelonker is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family and Civil Mediator dedicated to helping families navigate difficult transitions with dignity and respect.
My practice focuses on the options of Family Mediation and Collaborative Divorce to create the solutions and results my clients seek. I believe in being accessible to my clients, assisting them in identifying and prioritizing their needs, and pursuing a process that is in their best interests.
A cooperative approach to family law is the ideal way to keep decisions in the hands of the people involved, rather than leaving them to the courts. You have far more control over the outcome than you would by letting a judge make decisions.
Mediation typically costs significantly less than litigation
The process allows agreements to be reached in weeks rather than months or years
Avoid the adversarial nature of courtroom battles
Keep your family matters out of public court records
Solutions tailored to your family's unique needs
Maintain dignity and respect for co-parenting success
I knew I wanted to be a lawyer as early as eighth grade, and that calling has guided my entire professional life. A Miami native, I graduated magna cum laude from the University of Miami in 1975 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting.
I went on to earn my law degree cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law in 1978 and have been practicing law continuously ever since.
Over the course of my career, I have handled every type of family law matter, from divorce and custody disputes to complex financial cases, and I also maintained an active appellate practice. Decades of experience have given me not only deep legal knowledge, but also a clear understanding of the emotional toll family conflict can take.
Working with families going through divorce has taught me one essential truth: the greatest gift parents can give their children—and themselves—is peace. Resolving cases through cooperation rather than conflict minimizes harm to children, reduces stress, and preserves financial resources for what truly matters: the family’s future.
That belief is why I focus my practice on mediation and collaborative family law—approaches that prioritize respect, communication, and lasting solutions over unnecessary litigation.
Learn more about the mediation process and what to expect
Mediation is a confidential, voluntary process in which a neutral third party — the mediator — helps two parties communicate, identify shared goals, and reach a written agreement without going to court. Regina F. Zelonker guides both parties through structured sessions, keeping decision-making authority entirely in your hands throughout the process.
The mediation process generally takes one to three sessions, each lasting two to four hours, depending on the complexity of the issues involved. Couples who are prepared and motivated to reach an agreement often resolve all outstanding matters within a few weeks, compared to the 12 to 24 months a contested court case typically requires.
Mediation costs significantly less than litigation. Private family mediation typically ranges from a few thousand dollars, while a contested Florida divorce can cost twenty thousand dollars or more per person. Choosing mediation with Regina F. Zelonker allows both parties to invest in resolution rather than prolonged legal conflict.
You do not need an attorney present during mediation sessions, but consulting one before, between mediation conferences, and before signing a mediation agreement is recommended. A lawyer can review any agreement before you sign to confirm it protects your legal rights under Florida law. Regina F. Zelonker, as mediator, remains neutral and does not provide legal advice to either party.
Collaborative divorce is a structured and private process in which each spouse retains their own collaboratively trained attorney, and all parties sign a binding agreement to resolve the divorce without court intervention. In many cases, neither the agreement nor the parties’ financial affidavits are filed in the public records, and are kept private. Under Florida Statute Section 61.57, if the process breaks down without an agreement and litigation begins, both collaborative attorneys must withdraw, keeping all focus during the collaborative process on reaching a settlement.
The key difference between mediation and collaborative divorce is the level of legal support each process provides. In mediation, a single neutral professional helps both parties negotiate directly. In collaborative divorce, each spouse has their own attorney advocating for their interests, while the entire team — including neutral financial and mental health professionals when needed — works toward a joint resolution.
Mediation and collaborative divorce can still work even when communication between spouses is difficult. Regina F. Zelonker is trained to manage high-conflict dynamics, create structured dialogue, and help both parties focus on practical outcomes rather than emotional grievances. These processes are specifically designed to reduce — not require — pre-existing goodwill between parties. High-conflict cases only get worse in a litigation setting, and the dynamic in litigation can be even more detrimental to the children.
Yes, settlement agreements reached through mediation and collaborative divorce are legally binding once signed by both parties and submitted to a Florida court for approval. The final agreement carries the same legal weight as a court judgment when the agreement is expressly ratified and incorporated into a final judgment or other order. . Regina F. Zelonker works to ensure all agreements are clearly drafted and reflect the full understanding of both parties before signing.
