Verified Editorial Reviewer
Ann M. Goade
Editorial reviewer for family and dependency mediation content on Lawsuit.com.
I have dedicated my entire professional career to family mediation. After earning my law degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, William H. Bowen School of Law in 1979, I practiced family law for many years before making a deliberate and permanent transition to mediation as a neutral. Since 1993, I have mediated exclusively in family law matters on Florida's Treasure Coast — covering Martin, St. Lucie, Palm Beach, and Indian River Counties. I do not represent parties in contested litigation. That boundary is not incidental; it is the foundation of my practice. Parties and their…
Biography
I have dedicated my entire professional career to family mediation. After earning my law degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, William H. Bowen School of Law in 1979, I practiced family law for many years before making a deliberate and permanent transition to mediation as a neutral.
Since 1993, I have mediated exclusively in family law matters on Florida's Treasure Coast — covering Martin, St. Lucie, Palm Beach, and Indian River Counties. I do not represent parties in contested litigation. That boundary is not incidental; it is the foundation of my practice. Parties and their attorneys select me because they know I have no stake in the outcome other than helping them reach a durable, workable agreement.
Over more than 30 years, I have mediated hundreds of divorce, custody, parenting plan, dependency, and post-judgment disputes. The cases I find most meaningful are the high-conflict ones — where communication has broken down, where children are caught in the middle, and where a skilled neutral can help parents see past the immediate conflict to the long-term interests of their family.
My legal training in Florida, Illinois, Missouri, and Tennessee, as well as before the Supreme Court of the United States, gives me a detailed understanding of how courts evaluate contested family matters. That knowledge allows me to help parties assess whether a proposed agreement is likely to survive judicial review — a practical lens that saves families time, money, and emotional strain.
I received the ACR Advanced Practitioner designation in Family Law from the Association for Conflict Resolution in 2006, reflecting peer review, substantial experience, and a long-term commitment to continuing education in conflict resolution. I hold an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
When I review content for Lawsuit.com, I bring the same discipline I apply in the mediation room: precision, neutrality, and a commitment to accuracy that serves the people who need this information most.
Areas Of Editorial Expertise
- Florida Supreme Court certified family mediation procedures and requirements
- Child custody, parenting plans, and timesharing disputes under Florida law
- Dependency mediation and family court-related matters in Florida
- Divorce mediation, marital settlement agreements, and property division
- High-conflict family disputes and post-judgment modification proceedings
- Relocation disputes and co-parenting agreement enforcement
- Pro se family mediation for self-represented parties in Florida courts
Editorial Responsibilities
As an editorial reviewer for Lawsuit.com, my role is to evaluate the factual accuracy, legal precision, and practical completeness of articles covering family mediation, divorce mediation, child custody, parenting disputes, and Florida-specific mediation procedures. I review content for accuracy against current Florida statutes, Florida Supreme Court rules, and established mediation practice standards.
My review is limited strictly to editorial accuracy. I have no involvement in the selection of mediators listed in the Lawsuit.com directory, no financial interest in any referrals generated by the platform, and no role in commercial or advertising decisions. If a topic falls outside my direct area of expertise — such as commercial or employment mediation — I will decline the review and note the limitation.
I recuse myself from reviewing any content that directly references my own practice, my clients, or matters in which I have served as a neutral.
Verified Credentials
Articles Reviewed By This Expert
Articles reviewed by this expert will appear here.
External Authoritative Profiles
Publications, Speaking & Recognitions
Association for Conflict Resolution
2006
Recognition
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Private Practice — Martin, St. Lucie, Palm Beach, and Indian River Counties, FL
1993
Speaking
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Disclosures & Ethics Statement
Ann M. Goade maintains an active, exclusive family mediation practice in Palm City, Florida, serving the Treasure Coast region. She does not represent parties in contested family law litigation and has no financial interest in any outcomes arising from articles she reviews for Lawsuit.com.
Ann recuses herself from reviewing any content that directly references her own practice, specific cases she has mediated, or any matter in which she has a personal or professional interest. She will disclose any potential conflict of interest to the Lawsuit.com editorial team before undertaking a review.
This editorial role is entirely separate from her directory listing on Lawsuit.com. Editorial review does not constitute legal advice, and readers should consult a qualified attorney or mediator for guidance specific to their situation.
Editorial Contact
For questions about article accuracy, editorial review requests, or corrections, contact the editorial team directly.
info@lawsuit.com