| rents separate or divorce in California and child | | | | will not report to the court what was discussed in |
| custody is contested, the parties can attend child | | | | mediation. Mediators may report to the court a signed |
| custody mediation to sort out their disagreements. Child | | | | mutual agreement which has been mutually accepted |
| custody mediation is a form of alternative dispute | | | | by both parties. Mediators may recommend a child |
| resolution that may be scheduled by appointment with | | | | custody evaluation or investigation or that an attorney |
| the appropriate County Family Court Services | | | | be appointed to represent the child. Mediators are |
| mediation department or Conciliation Courts. | | | | generally mandated reporters of child abuse, which |
| In a contested child custody matter, child custody | | | | means they are required to report suspicion of child |
| mediation is often required before the parties can have | | | | abuse to Child Protective Services or CPS. |
| a litigated hearing. In other words, the parties must first | | | | California Family Code section 3170-3173 describes the |
| attempt to sort out their child custody and visitation | | | | availability of child custody mediation and addresses |
| disagreements through child custody mediation before | | | | child custody and visitation disputes involving |
| a Superior Court judge or commissioner will hear the | | | | modifications, domestic violence, adoptions, paternity, |
| child custody dispute. | | | | and stepparent and grandparent petitions. California |
| Typically in child custody mediation, both parents are | | | | Family Code section 3160-3165 describes the general |
| asked to complete a child custody mediation | | | | provisions of child custody mediation and its purpose. |
| information form, which helps the mediator learn more | | | | However, since the specific details of child custody |
| about the child custody and visitation issues being | | | | mediation and mediators may differ from county to |
| disputed before meeting with the parents. The | | | | county in California and can change over time, you |
| mediator may meet with the parents together or | | | | may want to inquire with the appropriate Superior |
| individually and will typically facilitate the discussion in | | | | Court courthouse for more information. Further, you |
| attempts to help the parents resolve their disputes. In | | | | would be wise to consult a divorce attorney or family |
| child custody mediation, the parties may resolve all, | | | | law attorney to help you learn more about the local |
| some, or none of the child custody issues being | | | | processes and local rules for child custody mediation |
| disputed. | | | | and learn if child custody mediation is the right |
| In counties where mediation is confidential, the mediator | | | | approach for your situation. |