Parties can mediate their family issues at any time. Often parties have a settlement conference before either of them file papers in the court. After the filing of a divorce, paternity action, custody dispute or post-judgment matter, the courts in Florida usually require the parties to go to mediation before any routine hearings are scheduled. Parties cannot address issues with a judge regarding custody, timesharing, child support, alimony, their home or their finances until they attend mediation.