Many jurisdictions require mediation of custody disputes before a contested hearing. Mediators may be court-connected or private, and communications are generally confidential.
Some programs permit mediator recommendations to the court.
Alternative Names:
Divorce Mediation|Custody Mediation
Why it Matters?
Whether the mediator may report to the court fundamentally changes the process, since recommending mediation programs eliminate the candor that confidential mediation depends on and effectively function as evaluations. Confirming which model applies before the session determines what should be disclosed. Financial mediation is separately valuable in preserving relationships where ongoing co-parenting requires functional communication.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
Why does the mediator's reporting role matter?
What should be confirmed first?
