During July, August, and September 2012, the parents and sometimes other relatives in twenty-five custody/visitation cases decided to try mediation before scheduling a hearing before a judge. In 21 of the 25 cases (84%), the parties reached agreement in mediation. For most, this made a court hearing unnecessary. A judge simply incorporated the parties’ Mediated Agreement into a Court Order, and the Clerk mailed a copy to each party. 

In the cases that went to mediation, 37.5 % of the noncustodial fathers and 12.5% of the noncustodial mothers reached Agreements that increased the amount of time  the minor child or children would have with the noncustodial parent.

Mediation services are available to everyone who petitions the Court to decide about custody of or visitation with a minor child.