What is a Divorce/Child Custody Mediator?
A mediator in California can help parents involved in a contested child custody and visitation dispute resolve their disagreements in mediation without a litigated hearing. Pursuant to California Family Code section 3170, mediation is a mandatory process that must take place before a contested issue regarding custody and visitation is heard in a litigated hearing. Due to the high degree of conflict often associated with contested child custody and visitation disputes, mediators in California will have special training, qualifications, and experience and must adhere to certain guidelines and standards when conducting mediation. Mediators and Domestic Violence Mediators should have training in the field of domestic violence to help facilitate situations where domestic violence is present. Family Code section 3181 addresses the domestic violence training requirements for mediators. When domestic violence has occurred, or if there is fear of intimidation by one party or the other, the medi
