Because the agreements reached in the mediation may influence a child custody dispute, don’t blindly enter the mediation. Collect data prior to attending. If you do not ask questions ahead of time, you might wind up agreeing to some facts which you would not agree with if you had known additional negative factors. For instance, if the other spouse had several referrals to CPS (children’s protective agency), you don’t want to agree that they’re a good parent. Don’t assume the agency which investigated the referral might’ve notified you. The majority of times they just contact the offending parent, as well as the person who reported the abuse or neglect. Know as much as possible prior to placing any agreements into writing within the mediation.
What to do after you gather information
After you’ve collected information, you should outline the problems you wish to be discussed during your mediation. No general form is needed, yet you ought to have the ability to arrive at your mediation with more than the blanket statement of “I need custody.” Have the ability to discuss why you want it. Factors may include:
- The additional parent is residing with an abusive girlfriend/boyfriend.
- The child has special needs which aren’t being met.
- The additional parent has alcohol or drug problems.
- The neighborhood has a substantially lower crime rate.
- The additional parent has a mental health issue.
By no means is this a full listing of all of the possible factors which might be talked over during mediation. Mediation is meant to consist of organized discussions. Outlining the issues and bringing paperwork of these concerns is going to assist your mediator in more effectively guiding the discussion.
For more information contact Michael C. Craven, Divorce Lawyers at +1 312-621-5234.
