CO-PARENTING MEDIATION LAWYERS IN LONG BEACH, CA
CAN WE MEDIATE IF WE WERE NEVER MARRIED IN LONG BEACH, CA?
Yes. Parents who are not married but who want to resolve their parentage or parenting plan issues out of court can choose mediation.
CAN WE MEDIATE ONLY CUSTODY AND PARENTING PLAN ISSUE AND LITIGATE THE REST OF OUR DIVORCE?
Yes. It is possible to mediate custody and parenting plan without mediating the remaining issues in your divorce. Any agreement reached can be then incorporated into your stipulated judgment on other issues or it can be stipulated that it be incorporated into the judgment after trial on other contested issues is completed.
IS MEDIATION CONFIDENTIAL IN LONG BEACH, CA?
Yes. Everything that is said in mediation is confidential, which means that it cannot be revealed in court.
CAN WE MEDIATE IF WE HAVE COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS IN LONG BEACH, CA?
Yes. A mediator, who is neutral, facilitates the dialogue between the parties and deescalates the level of conflict between the parties if it becomes non-productive. Venting may be an important part of mutual clearing needed to reach an agreement.
HOW IS PRIVATE MEDIATION DIFFERENT FROM COURT-ORDERED CUSTODY MEDIATION?
Prior to any hearing/trial involving custody and visitation, parties must fulfill the court-required mediation with one of the court mediators. It is often a much shorter process. The court mediator spends anywhere from a few minutes to few hours (rare) with the parties going over their “positions” and proposals for settlement. The mediator may offer other options for resolution or offer the most likely outcome if the case is litigated.
Private mediation is focused on facilitating a true dialogue between the parties moving them away from “positions” and towards satisfying their needs and reaching resolution on an emotional and psychological level to then create an agreement that is durable and flexible.
CAN PARENTING MEDIATION BE DONE WITH A MEDIATOR WHO IS NOT A THERAPIST IN LONG BEACH, CA?
Yes. An experienced mediator is skilled in facilitating a dialogue between the parties by offering a safe space to address issues the parties are having in communicating, resolving conflicts, discussing differences without escalating the conflict, and mutually respecting each other.
WHAT ISSUES ARE PARTICULAR TO NON-MARITAL COUPLES IN PARENTING MEDIATION IN LONG BEACH, CA?
Often parties do not know each other very well. They may have separate lives already well established at the time of parenting mediation. They may already have new romantic partners, who may have a say in the child rearing. There may be an issue of a move-away at the very beginning due to one of the parties moving right after the break-up. Some parties have never resided together. Some have never dated. Some have lived together for decades and have substantial property division issues (Marvin-type actions or real estate partition actions), which do complicate parenting plan resolution.
WHAT IS OUR APPROACH TO PARENTING MEDIATION IN LONG BEACH, CA?
Our mediation philosophy is based on non-judgmental compassionate and authentic approach. We are patient; and do not rush our mediation clients into agreements. Instead, we create space allow the agreement to emerge. Many mediating parents engage in mediation because they instinctively know that there is a better way.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR PARENTING MEDIATION IN LONG BEACH, CA?
The best way to prepare is to ensure that on the day of mediation you are in an open and receptive mode. Flexibility is the name of the game. Thinking ahead of time about what kind of parent you want to be, what kind of co-parenting relationship you want to have, what kind of role-model you want to be for your children, what kind of conflict-resolution model you want to adopt with your co-parent are all great subjects to contemplate before the start of mediation. You can also prepare an opening statement, during which you say a positive comment about the co-parent, your goal for mediation and go over your motivation to mediate.
Have a good idea of your own logistical needs, i.e. work schedules, significant other’s work schedule, school schedules, child’s extracurricular activities, etc.
Preparing written statements of positions is NOT recommended as it only calcifies “positions.” In a mediation session, we will help you understand the underlying needs, fears, concerns behind “positions” and facilitate brainstorming of alternative ways to resolve a specific problem you both may be facing in your post-break up parenting.
WHAT IS THE GOAL OF MEDIATION IN LONG BEACH, CA?
Parenting mediation is focused on helping the parties establish a mutually acceptable durable parenting plan, as well as, physical and legal custody, holiday schedules, vacations, travel plans, extracurricular schedules for the children, choice of schools, handling of medical issues, and all other aspects of parenting.
The goal is to achieve a peaceful resolution where the focus is on the well-being of the children. Many parties use the mediation process to address emotional issues they have with each other or within themselves to help them move towards forgiveness and letting go so that they can co-parent from a place of inner-peace.
