Custody

Mediation uses a neutral third-party, called a mediator, to try to help the parents agree on matters relating to custody and visitation of your child.

The court may order you to take part in mediation. The session will be conducted informally as a conference or series of conferences, or by telephone.

If you are a survivor of domestic violence, you should talk to a lawyer or domestic violence advocate before going to mediation, or have a lawyer go with you if you can. Your abuser may use mediation as an opportunity for further control and abuse, and he may intimidate you into thinking an agreement is reasonable when it is not. A lawyer and/or victim advocate can help you prepare for this. To find someone in your are please visit our AR Places that Help page.

If the mediator determines that mediation efforts are unsuccessful, s/he will end mediation and notify the judge that the mediation efforts have failed. The custody proceeding will then continue.