What You Need to Understand About Child Custody Mediation?
Most divorce cases end up with both parents fighting over child custody. Unfortunately, these trials can often take months and cost thousands of dollars.
Did you know that there are other ways to settle family disputes besides going to court? Child custody mediation in Las Vegas offers you the chance to develop an amicable agreement with your soon-to-be ex-spouse regarding your children’s living arrangements after the divorce.
Mediation involves one neutral third party, i.e., a Las Vegas child custody lawyer, facilitating communication between the couple and advising them on how to come to terms. If you want to know more about this process, here are things you should understand.
Why Child Custody Mediation?
In 2013, a custody mediation program was introduced by Clark County Family Court. This program allows divorcing parents to settle their custody issues and with guidance from an experienced mediator. It spares time and money for all parties involved by avoiding costly litigation.
For these reasons, it’s more common today than ever before for parents of minor children going through divorce proceedings to agree on custody matters outside of court.
Is Child Custody Mediation Always Required?
In cases where child custody is not an issue or where both parents agree on raising their children, mediation is not required. However, if you and your ex disagree on custody issues, such as how much time each parent will have with a child, one or both of you will likely end up fighting for what you want. And most couples eventually turn to mediation for help.
Custody mediators such as a Las Vegas child custody lawyer will specialize in providing a neutral place for divorced parents to discuss custody details amicably and come up with mutually agreed-upon solutions.
Are There Any Governing Rules?
Although it’s not court-ordered, child custody mediation is meant to help parents reach an agreement on all aspects of their custody arrangement, including where a child will live, how much time they will spend with each parent, and so on.
Parents and mediators are bound by strict rules that guide their role in these mediation proceedings. For example,
- The parties should agree in writing to submit their custody dispute to mediation before any specific issues are identified.
- The mediator acts as a neutral third party.
- All parties should attend the mediation session to ensure a fair and just resolution.
What To Do Before An Appointment?
To stay prepared for your mediation appointment, you can compile a list of information and questions. Who will be mediating your case? What time does your appointment start? How long will it last? And so on. Before you set up an appointment, consider writing down:
- The facts of your situation,
- Your main goal or goals for mediation,
- Questions or concerns about how mediation will work for you.
Who Will Be Present At The Mediation?
Both parents and the mediator will be present at a child custody mediation. Depending on how complicated your case is, you may also have a lawyer present. The mediator works for both parents, and their job is to make sure all your questions are answered so that you can come up with an agreement that everyone can live with.
The most important point is making sure that you understand precisely what is going on during all stages of mediation so that you don’t waste time or miss out on vital information due to miscommunication.
Bottom Line
The mediator helps you find common ground while ensuring that each parent is respected during the discussion on child support, custody arrangements, visitation schedules, and more. If you have any concerns, a Las Vegas child custody lawyer might be able to answer them.
