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