| rents separate or divorce in Orange County California | | | | means the mediator will not report to the court what |
| and child custody is contested, the parties can attend | | | | was discussed in mediation. Mediators may report to |
| child custody mediation in Orange County to sort out | | | | the court a signed mutual agreement which has been |
| their disagreements regarding child custody and | | | | mutually accepted by both parties. Mediators may |
| visitation. Child custody mediation in Orange County is | | | | recommend a child custody evaluation or investigation |
| a form of alternative dispute resolution that may be | | | | or that an attorney be appointed to represent the child. |
| scheduled by appointment with the Orange County | | | | Orange County mediators are mandated reporters of |
| Family Court Services mediation or Conciliation Courts. | | | | child abuse, which means they are required to report |
| In a contested child custody matter in Orange County, | | | | suspicion of child abuse to Child Protective Services or |
| child custody mediation is required before the parties | | | | CPS. |
| can have a litigated hearing in the Orange County | | | | California Family Code section 3170-3173 describes the |
| family court. In other words, the parties must first | | | | availability of child custody mediation and addresses |
| attempt to sort out their child custody and visitation | | | | child custody and visitation disputes involving |
| disagreements through child custody mediation in | | | | modifications, domestic violence, adoptions, paternity, |
| Orange County before a Orange County Superior | | | | and stepparent and grandparent petitions. California |
| Court judge or commissioner will hear the child custody | | | | Family Code section 3160-3165 describes the general |
| 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 |
| Orange County mediator learn more about the child | | | | may want to inquire with the Orange County 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 Orange County family law attorney, |
| with the parents together or individually and will typically | | | | Orange County divorce attorney, or Orange County |
| facilitate the discussion in attempts to help the parents | | | | divorce 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 Orange County child custody |
| In Orange County mediation is confidential, which | | | | situation. |