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Coping With Legal Issues

When I started getting into trouble I became pretty acclimated to legal procedures. Calling my attorney and working out bail was just another way to spend a Saturday night. Unfortunately, the stiffer the charges, the more difficult it was to talk my way out of a bad situation. After so many charges, I found myself slapped with a long jail sentence, and I realized that I wanted to turn things around. Fortunately, my lawyer was able to walk me through yet another process, so that I could make the right changes. My blog discusses how to emotionally cope with legal issues so that you can start living a good life.

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Coping With Legal Issues

What to Know about Custody Mediation

by Lillian Wheeler

Divorcing parents can often agree on financial issues, but they usually can't agree on things pertaining to their children. When both parents appear to be fit to be the sole custodian, the custody issue can become contentious. Often, the judge orders the parents to attend mediation. Read on to learn more about child custody mediation.

Understanding Divorce Mediation

Mediation has been around for a long time, but applying mediation techniques to legal issues has brought a revolution to many contentious situations. Meditation can be used to resolve all sorts of divorce issues. Since child custody can be such an emotional and sensitive part of a divorce agreement, the non-combative methods used in mediation can be extremely helpful in helping parents come to an agreement on the type of parenting plan to choose and who is assigned custody.

Understanding the Role of the Mediator

Your attorney may be skilled in the law and divorce issues, but a third party must be used to preside over a divorce mediation. Some professional mediators are divorce attorneys who have been trained in mediation techniques. Mediators lead the couple to make decisions and the resulting agreement becomes part of the permanent divorce decree.

Understand Mediation Steps

Whether your mediation is court-ordered or voluntary and regardless of the issue, the process is similar:

  1. Schedule a series of regular meetings with the mediator.
  2. Meet the mediator and discuss the goals of mediation.
  3. Attend mediation and discuss the contentious issues.
  4. Reach an agreement on the issue and put it in writing.

Will Mediation Work for You?

Mediation success depends on the parent's willingness to meet, discuss, and compromise on contended issues. Mediation is not a magical solution to resolve custody issues, but it can help the parents work toward making decisions that are in the best interest of the child. If mediation fails to accomplish the goal and form an agreement, a professional custody evaluation may need to be performed.

How Can You Get Ready for Mediation?

You can protect your custody rights and be prepared for the mediation experience by taking the following steps:

  • Speak to your attorney about child custody. You need to know your legal standing, rights, and responsibilities when it comes to child custody.
  • Make a list of your normal parenting duties using a typical monthly schedule.
  • Have on hand documentation pertaining to your child, such as medical records, school records, therapist letters.
  • Be prepared to form a visitation agreement. Consider issues like holidays, birthdays, school pick-ups, transportation, social activities, sports, and volunteer obligations.

Getting divorce attorney services will help you learn more about child custody mediation.

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