Child Custody and Visitation
By law, all matters pertaining to child custody or visitation disputes must be heard in mediation before the court may render a decision. When a case that involves those issues is filed, both an orientation session and a mediation session are automatically scheduled at Family Court Services.
The Family Court Services division, located at the Richard A. Schoenig Annex, provides mediation and investigations for all contested child custody and visitation disputes in Yuba County. The objective is to assure close and continuing contact between children and parents after the dissolution of a marriage. The mediation is for parents only, with no other parties (such as attorneys, new spouse, or fiancée) present.
If an agreement is not reached through mediation, the mediator is now authorized to make a recommendation to the court.
About Mediation
The purpose of mediation is to assist separated of divorce parents in reaching a parenting plan for sharing their child(ren).
During the mediation, parent's communicate to the mediator their ideas as to an appropriate custody and visitation schedule which will be in the best interest of their child(ren).
The mediator will not impose an agreement on the parents (the mediator is not a judge). The mediator will intervene when the ideas of parents are in conflict of promoting an agreement between the parents for sharing their child(ren).
Parties do not have to reach an agreement in mediation, they are entitled by law to a hearing before a judge if necessary.
Either party can request the mediation process stop at anytime.
The mediator will be impartial at all times and present only professional points of view to the clients. The mediator will not give legal advice to either party.
Client's can request the opportunity to discuss the proposed agreement with their attorney prior to signing the document.
Child-Custody Investigations
If there are questions regarding the care or safety of the child, the Judge may choose to order a child-custody investigation by the Family Court Services division.
Fees
The fee for mediations is $20.
The fee for child-custody investigations varies.