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OpenAI’s New Policy Highlights Why Divorce Mediation Still Requires a Real Legal Professional
|Artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT have become part of daily life, offering quick answers to nearly every question imaginable — including legal ones. But while AI can summarize information, it cannot provide genuine legal advice or replace the judgment of an experienced Florida family law mediator. In fact, OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, recently updated its user policy to prohibit using its products for legal or medical advice explicitly.
For divorcing couples, this clarification reinforces a vital truth: technology can never substitute for human understanding, legal experience, or the nuanced guidance that comes from years of family law practice.
AI Is Not a Legally Binding Source of Guidance
Many people turn to online resources for help navigating divorce, but relying on AI-generated answers can be risky. These systems don’t have access to current case law, do not apply Florida’s procedural rules, and cannot evaluate your specific circumstances. They also cannot ensure that any proposed agreement would be legally enforceable in a Florida court.
Even OpenAI’s own policy acknowledges this limitation. While it’s unclear how companies will enforce the ban—whether through disclaimers or usage monitoring—the message is clear: AI should not be used to provide or substitute for professional legal guidance.
Divorce is profoundly personal and highly regulated under Florida law. Issues like property division, parenting plans, and spousal support require precision and foresight that only come from training and experience. An algorithm cannot help you and your spouse negotiate a fair settlement or one that will protect your long-term interests.
The Danger of Misplaced Confidence
AI’s greatest strength—its ability to deliver confident, conversational answers—is also its biggest weakness. Because its tone sounds authoritative, users may assume the information is accurate or legally sound when it isn’t. In family law, that false sense of certainty can lead to costly mistakes.
For example, an AI platform might provide general information about “uncontested divorces.” Still, it cannot determine whether your agreement meets Florida’s legal standards or reflects your specific financial and parenting realities. What seems like a quick, inexpensive solution can quickly unravel if the court rejects the paperwork or fails to protect one spouse’s rights.
Without professional oversight, couples risk creating agreements that are incomplete, unenforceable, or unfair—ultimately leading them back to court.
Why Experience Still Matters in Family Law Mediation
Attorney and Florida Supreme Court-certified divorce mediator Beth Reineke brings more than 30 years of experience in family law and mediation to every session. As a former Board-Certified marital and family law litigator, she has a deep understanding of how divorce matters are handled in Florida’s court system. That background helps her guide productive discussions and ensure that couples consider the practical details necessary for clear, complete agreements that reflect their mutual understanding, and which will be approved by the Court.
Unlike AI, a human mediator can:
- Listen to emotions and unspoken concerns.
- Identify areas of misunderstanding before they escalate.
- Clarify the process and ensure both parties have a shared understanding of Florida’s requirements.
- Encourage creative, realistic solutions that align with both spouses’ goals.
Mediation succeeds because it relies on communication, empathy, and informed problem-solving—qualities that no software can replicate.
A Safer, Smarter Way to Move Forward
AI may be a convenient tool for gathering general information, but when it comes to resolving your divorce, the risks outweigh the rewards. Florida law requires precision, discretion, and legal understanding that only an experienced professional can provide.
At Reineke Mediations, couples throughout Florida rely on Beth Reineke’s knowledge, compassion, and proven skill to reach agreements privately, respectfully, and efficiently, without courtroom conflict and without the uncertainty of technology-generated advice.
Call 813-205-6675 or contact Reineke Mediations online to discuss your unique family law circumstances during a free telephone consultation and learn why mediation guided by a real professional remains the most reliable way to resolve your divorce with dignity and confidence.
