Services
Provided:
- Child custody
and visitation mediation as provided by Family
Code 3171
- Limited evaluations
in child custody cases may be conducted when ordered
by the court as provided in Family Code 3112
- Marital and relationship
counseling can be provided upon petition as provided
in Family Code 1830
- Pre-marital counseling
and evaluations for juveniles who petition for
a marriage license under Family Code 302 and 304
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What
is Mediation?
Mediation is process
by which the parents who are in dispute over the
custody and/or visitation of their children may
meet with mediator in a neutral setting and work
on their own parenting plan. The Family Code provides
that parents shall have the opportunity and the
right to present the court with their own parenting
plan.
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What is a Parenting
Plan?
When parents are
separated, the parenting plan defines custody and
time sharing of the children.
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Who Conducts
the Mediation?
A trained family
counselor will meet with the parents to assist
them in preparing a parenting plan. The mediator
represents to the parents what appears to be in
the best interest of the children
as well as the importance of continuing and frequent
contact with both parents.
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How Does Mediation
Work?
The
mediator will prepare in detail the parenting plan that
the parents agree to present to the court. If the parents
fail to reach agreement on a plan, the mediator will be
asked by the court to submit a report of the issues and
circumstances relating to the custody of the children. In
some courts, the mediator will make a recommendation.
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Do Mediators
Interview Children?
The
mediator may need to interview the children. Do not bring
children below the age of five.
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What
Kinds of Issues Must the Mediator Report?
The mediator is
required by law to report child abuse or neglect
to the proper authorities. The mediator is required
by the Family Code to report domestic violence
or drug abuse.
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What About Resources?
The mediator may
recommend counseling or other community resources
to assist the family.
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What
is a Limited Evaluation?
In some custody
cases the court needs more information regarding
some issues relating to the family in order to
make a custody order. A member of the Family Court
Services will conduct the evaluation and report
to the court. The cost is $300.00 to the parents.
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Legal
Terms Relating to Child Custody:
Visitation: The
designated time in which the non-custodial parent
shall have responsibility of the children.
Legal Custody: The
rights and responsibilities of parents to make
decisions relating to the health, education and
welfare of their children.
Joint Legal
Custody: Both parents share in the right
and responsibility to make decisions relating
to the health, education and welfare of a child.
Sole Legal
Custody: One parent has the right and responsibility
to make decisions relating to the health, education
and welfare of a child.
Physical Custody: How
much time the children spend with each parent;
where the children live; how day-to-day responsibilities
are fulfilled.
Joint
Physical Custody: Children spend a significant amount
of time with each parent.
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What
About Relationship Counseling?
Upon the Petition
of either parent or order of the court, the parents
may engage in relationship counseling that may
or may not lead to reconciliation. Both parties
must agree to the counseling.
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Why
Juvenile pre-marital counseling?
The
Family Code 302 and 304 require that a Judge
sign a court order allowing anyone under age
18 to get a marriage license. Each case is
counseled and evaluated by a mediator.
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Phone
Number: