Who runs the conciliation conference?
The conference is conducted by an attorney who has been appointed by the court to act as a Custody Conference Officer (CCO). His or her job is to help the parents or parties work out a custody/visitation schedule which is agreeable to all. The conference officer cannot take sides, nor can he/she look at evidence you wish to present such as character references, letters from doctors or counselors, etc. If no agreement can be made concerning custody/visitation during the conciliation conference the CCO has the right send the parties to mediation or have the Court Administrators Office schedule the matter in front of the President Judge. The parties involved are each responsible for half of the Mediation fees if the CCO orders you to Mediation. THE CUSTODY CONFERENCE OFFICER MAY NOT BE CONTACTEED BY ANY PARTY OR BY ANYONE ON A PARTYS BEHALF OUTSIDE OF THE CONFERENCE FOR ANY REASON.