As a family law attorney/mediator with 2 children and nearly 30 years of experience, I understand that the issue of child custody can be a hotly contested dispute for some divorced or separated families. Not only do clashes over who gets custody of the children result in nasty court battles, but they can also cause lasting damage to the relationships between parents and kids. They also can be very expensive. That is why my firm provides comprehensive mediation services for families throughout the greater La Mesa area who need help resolving child custody matters.

Sometimes parents communicate well with each other and just need a little help from a neutral person to agree on certain terms. People in this situation often choose mediation because it is a cheaper alternative to taking your dispute to court. This option is ideal for parents who want to end their marriage or relationship on agreeable and respectful terms.

Child custody mediation also gives parents an opportunity to cooperate and create their own parenting plan and visitation schedule that is specific to their families’ needs without having a judge decide for them. After all, do you want to create the agreement or have a Judge create it for you? I can help you create a great, very specific agreement that then can be turned into a court order.

What Are the Benefits of Mediation?

As a mediator, I serve as a neutral third party to help parents facilitate communication so they can discuss custody issues in a calm and respectful manner and hopefully reach a reasonable agreement/parenting plan that works for both parties and their children. It is always best to focus on what is best for the child/children.

Some of the other benefits of mediation include:

Save Time & Money

Litigating a child custody dispute can be expensive. From paying for lawyers and court fees to taking time off from work to show up in court, child custody disputes can make it difficult to start the next chapter of your life after separation or divorce. In contrast, hiring a neutral, third-party mediator who is experienced in this area, can make the process more efficient. It may take hours instead of months or years to resolve your issues and come up with a plan that is right for you and your child/children.

Non-Confrontational

The purpose of child custody mediation is to help the parents do what is best for the children. Unlike court litigation, no one loses in mediation. Because I remain neutral throughout the mediation process, I can focus on reaching an agreement between the parties. Using a mediator to handle your custody dispute also lowers stress and provides parents with the tools they need to resolve their conflicts and create a parenting plan that covers the best interests of their children.

Less Stress for Children

The last thing you want to do is stress out your children with your legal battles. My mediation services focus on what is best for the kids so parents don’t have to worry about their children getting caught in the middle of their arguments. When parents don’t argue around each other, the kids experience less stress as well.

Privacy

Court proceedings and court documents can be viewed by the general public. But with mediation, only you, your ex, and the mediator will be privy to the issues discussed in each session.

Long-Term Cooperation

Mediation can also help parents make plans for the future. Although they will no longer be together, they will always be parents and involved in their children’s lives. Parents who cooperate during the mediation process generally leave knowing they can effectively co-parent after their separation or divorce is finalized.

Consult with a Skilled Mediator Today

Are you interested in learning more about our child custody mediation services? Then get in touch with our La Mesa divorce attorney/mediator at The Law Offices of Andrea Schneider to get answers to your questions. With more than 30 years of legal experience, I will gladly discuss mediation as an option for you.

To schedule a consultation, call (619) 304-8499 today to speak to a member of our team.