Are you going through a divorce or breakup with a child involved? If so, you and your ex, and or the court, are going to have to determine the best child custody arrangement for the child(ren) involved. In California, that means first going through custody mediation.
What is custody mediation?
In California, custody mediation is required before the court will order a parenting plan. During custody mediation, you will meet with a court professional to see if you and your co-parent can work out a parenting plan on your own. If you cannot agree on a parenting plan during custody mediation, the judge will ultimately determine what parenting plan is best for your child.
What should I think about before my child custody mediation session in California?
Before your custody mediation session, there are some things that you should consider. This includes:
- Whether you would like to meet separately and without the other parent if the case involves domestic violence
- Whether or not you would like to bring a support person with you to mediation and/or court
- Whether there are safety issues with the other parent having time alone with the child
- Where you would like drop off and pick up exchanges to occur
- Can child exchanges happen without you and your co-parent seeing each other
Keep in mind that whatever the outcome, you will want to get detailed orders that make it clear if and when visits are going to take place.
Does the court take child abuse into account when determining the best parenting plan?
Yes, the court does consider child abuse when determining the best parenting plan. In California, the parenting plan that the court establishes is whatever is in the best interest of the children. The court wants to keep everyone safe, so if there are any safety concerns, the court may order supervised visitation or no visitation at all.
Do I need a lawyer to go through child custody mediation in California?
While you are not required to have a lawyer when going through custody mediation, it is always a good idea to have an experienced family law attorney on your side. There are many aspects to consider and if the case does go to court, you will want an attorney by your side.
Contact Kendall Gkikas & Mitchell, LLP today for help with your child custody case!
If you are heading into a child custody battle and want an experienced family law attorney on your side, you should contact Kendall Gkikas & Mitchell, LLP today. Since 1994, we have been providing assistance to individuals going through divorces and/or custody battles and we would be happy to offer our services to you as well. We know the ins and outs of the child custody process so give us a call today at 909-482-1422 to set up your initial consultation.
To learn more about the reliable and quality family law services that we offer, visit us on the web at Kendall Gkikas & Mitchell, LLP.
