| In a divorce case where there are minor or | | | | history of domestic abuse and violence, the mediation |
| dependant children from the marriage, the question | | | | may be preferably conducted in separate sessions to |
| of child custody, child support, parenting | | | | ensure the safety of both parties, as well as to |
| responsibilities and visitation time are bound to arise. | | | | eliminate any possibility of intimidation. |
| Wherever the parents may be able to agree on | | | | The job of the mediator is to help the two parents in |
| these issues and make an amicable settlement, the | | | | maintaining their focus on a good parenting plan and |
| divorce proceedings become easy. But in unresolved | | | | organizing everything to fulfill that plan in the best |
| cases, the court may have to intervene. | | | | interests of the child. The mediator encourages the |
| In a Sacramento Divorce case, under the California | | | | two parents to arrive at reasonable agreements on |
| state law, the court will arrange mediation in such | | | | the conflicting issues of child custody, parenting |
| situation, and make it mandatory for both the | | | | arrangement, holiday plans, medical and life insurance |
| parents to attend the mediation without any | | | | policies, transportation, schooling and such issues that |
| expense. The law requires that both parents must | | | | are a part of the child's education, health, welfare and |
| attend mediation, though it is not necessary that | | | | a healthy upbringing. |
| they arrive at any kind of agreement. | | | | Sometimes mediation may help to bring about a |
| The goal of mediation, in a Sacramento Divorce case | | | | resolution of all conflicts in the parenting area. Once a |
| is to alleviate conflict between the two parties, so | | | | verbal consensus is reached between the two |
| that there may be a better chance of cooperating | | | | parties, then the mediator draws a written |
| with each other in the creation of a parenting plan | | | | agreement, incorporating all the points agreed upon |
| that fulfills the requirements of the child keeping his | | | | by the two parties. After reading the draft written |
| best interests in mind. | | | | agreement, if the two sides are willing to go ahead |
| The court-appointed mediator is usually a trained | | | | with the agreement and sign it mutually, then the |
| professional, having at least a post graduation | | | | court may adopt the agreement and include it in its |
| qualification and possessing a depth of experience in | | | | final divorce decree. |
| matters of psychology and marriage or family | | | | Usually, the mediator engages with only the two |
| counseling, and having professional expertise in the | | | | parties involved, and not their attorneys or other |
| area of domestic conflict resolution. | | | | family members. Though in some cases, the mediator |
| During the process of mediation, the mediator may | | | | may also discuss the parenting plans with the children |
| meet with the two spouses separately or together | | | | whose parents are involved in the divorce proceeding. |
| or both. In case the spouses have had a bitter | | | | |