Peggy Gehl
Trusted Probate Mediator

Experienced former judge delivering neutral, efficient, and analytical dispute resolutions.

Judges Respect Her, Lawyers Trust Her

About Peggy Gehl
10 Years of Probate Mediation | 25 Years on the Bench

After obtaining a B.S. degree in Journalism from the University of Florida, Peggy Gehl began her journey into the law when she was hired to serve as a Legislative Aide in the Florida House of Representatives.

Inspired by the drafting and debating of laws, and encouraged by her State Representative, she applied to the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law, recognized for its pioneering approach to experimental learning, where her journalistic talents combined with a keen acumen for the law earned her selection for Law Review in her first year.

Upon graduation she returned to Florida where Peggy became the first female lawyer hired at the prestigious Fleming, O’Bryan & Fleming. Following 13 years of private practice, Peggy was appointed to the judiciary where she was first introduced to the Probate division.

Education

Bachelor of Science, University of Florida, College of Journalism & Communications

Juris Doctor, University of Denver, Sturm College of Law – Denver Law Review

Admitted to practice law before the U.S. Supreme Court

Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil, County & Family Mediator (All Circuits)

JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE

Following 13 years of private practice, Peggy was appointed to the judiciary for the 17th circuit.

Selected by the Chief Judge’s Magistrate Committee, she was assigned as a General Magistrate to the newly formed Probate division for her first 6 years. Later as a member of the judiciary where she sat in both the civil and criminal divisions, she continued to sign probate orders for circuit judges, when requested. During her tenure, Judge Gehl sat on the Probate Rules and Guardianship Committees.

A testimony to her esteemed reputation as an impartial jurist, and the respect she had garnered on the bench, 300 fellow judges elected Judge Gehl to represent them for 12 years on the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC), investigating and trying cases of judicial misconduct.

Later, as a Florida Supreme Court-appointed Senior Judge, Peggy returned to the Probate Division, where her judicial career began, to adjudicate circuit cases, expanding her wealth of experience in Wills, Trusts, and Estates.

Encouraged by the Probate Judges to pursue probate mediation, Peggy founded Gehl Mediations – now celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Having sat on the Probate bench since the beginning when she was a General Magistrate in Guardianship and Mental Health, then returning to the Probate Division as a Senior Judge, her breadth of experience in wills, trust and estates sets her apart.

What probate Attorneys are Saying

Jeffrey S. Bunin, Esq.
Adrian Phillip Thomas, P.A.

What sets retired Judge Peggy Gehl apart from other mediators - aside from her vast knowledge and experience in Probate and Trust law - is that she gets actively engaged in the process and genuinely wants the parties to reach an amicable resolution to their disputes.

Debra J. Slater, Esq.
Slater & Small PLLC.

Peggy Gehl can mediate any type of case, but her expertise in probate, guardianships and trusts is unmatched. She is a master at getting the parties to agree even when you think there is no common ground to work with. She is professional, efficient, calm, and a pleasure to work with.

Forrest Wilson, Esq.
Vernis & Bowling P.A..

Judge Gehl blends her wealth of knowledge and expertise as a career judge together with a calm, approachable demeanor to bring cases swiftly and adeptly to resolution.

Jody Leslie, Esq.
Leslie & McLaughlin, LLP

As a mediator, Peggy Gehl far exceeds any expectations for any probate mediator. She listens, she encourages, and she’s always prepared, interested, and analytic.

Practice Areas

PRACTICE AREAS

WILLS, TRUSTS &

ESTATE DISPUTES

AMBIGUOUS LANGUAGE

& INTERPRETATION

UNDUE INFLUENCE

VALUATION OF PERSONALTY

THEFT OF PERSONALTY

PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE

DISPUTES

REMOVAL OF PERSONAL

REPRESENTATIVE

PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE

FEES & COSTS

REAL PROPERTY PARTITIONS

REAL PROPERTY DISPUTES

REALTOR LISTING DISPUTES

REAL PROPERTY APPRAISER DISPUTES

GUARDIANSHIP PLACEMENT

DISPUTES

REMOVAL OF GUARDIAN

MEDICATION & PHARMACEUTICAL

DISPUTES

GUARDIAN & GUARDIANSHIP

NEGLIGENCE

ASSISTED LIVING &

NURSING HOME NEGLIGENCE

REMOVAL OF TRUSTEE

RETURN OF TRUSTEE’S FEES

BREACH OF FIDUCIARY DUTIES

ILLEGALLY OBTAINED TRUST ASSETS

ATTORNEYS FEES & COSTS

VIRTUAL
CONFERENCES

Peggy Gehl creates a relaxed, informal settlement climate, often infused with insights and humor. Inspired by the Pandemic, today most of her mediations are conducted remotely via Zoom, although in-person conferences are held upon request.

In remote video conferences, each party is given a virtual breakout space after the lawyers present their opening remarks in a shared virtual space. The tension of face-to-face mediations, where parties often feel the stress of an unfamiliar setting and the lack of personal space, is eliminated.

Plaintiffs gain the comfort of being in their own workplace, their attorney’s office, or their home while defendants gain the flexibility of being in their own offices.

At the end of a successful mediation, parties leave with a written, signed confidential settlement agreement, secure they have avoided a potentially lengthy, expensive trial with an unknown outcome.

Gehl Mediations provides DocuSign for remote signing and offers attorneys a standard Neutral’s Agreement to edit and amend to facilitate an easy, efficient closing to the mediation.

MISSION STATEMENT

As a mediator, Peggy's mission is to facilitate a voluntary resolution of disputes by assisting parties and their attorneys to reach a mutually satisfactory and binding settlement agreement.

As a neutral participant in the mediation process, Peggy helps the parties focus on the relevant issues and, if requested, suggests possible solutions to resolve any differences. She also helps the parties to see the strengths and weaknesses of their positions, and explains the benefits of settling their case early, thus avoiding the risks of trial.

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