Family Mediation & Parenting Coordination in Sumter County and The Villages

Later-life divorce in The Villages

The Villages is home to many retirees and older couples, so many divorces here come after long marriages. Those cases tend to center on retirement accounts, pensions, Social Security timing, the family home, health coverage, and relationships with adult children and grandchildren, rather than school schedules. Mediation gives couples time to work through that history at their own pace instead of having a judge divide it.

Jessica serves The Villages in Sumter County, which is part of Florida’s Fifth Judicial Circuit.

Sumter County court mediation, and when private mediation fits

Sumter’s courthouse is in Bushnell, the county seat. The Fifth Circuit’s Sumter County Mediation Services program mediates divorce and paternity cases, but only for parties whose combined yearly income is under $100,000, with an open case, an Order for Mediation, and recent Financial Affidavits. Couples above that line, which includes many retirees with pension and investment income, must use a private mediator.

Parenting coordination for Sumter County families

Younger families in Wildwood, Bushnell, and Webster face the same parenting-plan conflicts as anywhere. Under Fla. Stat. §61.125, a judge can appoint a parenting coordinator by agreement, on motion, or on the court’s own motion, and the Fifth Circuit keeps a Parenting Coordination Registry. Jessica is a qualified Florida parenting coordinator. Grandparents in The Villages who help raise grandchildren can be part of a co-parenting conversation when the parents agree.

Florida does not issue a single statewide parenting coordinator certification. Under Fla. Stat. §61.125, a qualified parenting coordinator holds a qualifying professional credential (a Florida mental health license under chapter 491, such as an LCSW, is one), has three years of post-licensure practice, has completed Supreme Court–certified family mediation training, and has at least 24 hours of parenting coordination training plus 4 hours on domestic violence and child abuse. Jessica meets each of these requirements.

Jessica Oliver, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker with an MSW from the University of Southern California and is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator (#44460F). Her mediation and parenting coordination work is non-clinical: she serves as a neutral, not as anyone’s therapist or attorney.

Jessica serves Sumter County co-parents as a neutral parenting coordinator, in person or by Zoom. Read about parenting coordination in Florida.

Frequently asked questions

We’ve been married 35 years and live in The Villages. Is mediation right for us?

Often, yes. Long marriages involve more history and more assets, and mediation gives you time to work through retirement accounts, the home, and family relationships without a judge dividing things for you.

Can we use the Sumter County court mediation program?

Only if your combined yearly income is under $100,000, you have an open case and an Order for Mediation, and both of you have recent Financial Affidavits. Otherwise you’ll need a private mediator.

Do you meet in person in The Villages?

Yes. Jessica serves The Villages in Sumter County and offers in-person sessions in Sumter County, or secure Zoom video sessions if you prefer to meet from home.

How is a parenting coordinator appointed in Sumter County?

A Fifth Circuit judge can appoint one under Fla. Stat. §61.125 when parents agree, on a parent’s motion, or on the court’s own motion. The circuit keeps a Parenting Coordination Registry.

Can we mediate by video?

Yes. Jessica meets in person in Sumter County and also offers secure Zoom sessions, which work well for couples who no longer share a home or who want separate rooms.

Also serving: Hillsborough · Pasco · Hernando · Sumter · Lake · Polk · Virtual statewide · All areas