Mediation
Mediation is a service offered to parents at various stages of the hearing process. Mediation services have been available to Domestic Relations cases since 1992. It is considered a voluntary program, as the parties must agree to participate or be referred into the program. Most of the cases referred to mediation were for issues of custody and companionship. Mediation allows for the parties to come up with a mutual agreement with the assistance of a trained third party.
The Domestic Relations Mediation Program has a two-fold benefit. The program is designed to allow divorcing parents, with the assistance of trained mediators, to resolve custody, companionship, visitation and parenting issues between the parties. This has a tremendous long-term benefit for the children of divorced parents. The second benefit is to the Court, as most cases resolved through mediation will not need to be tried before the Court.
Visitation Services
The Court, in cooperation with community agencies and individuals, offers visits and exchanges for separated parents. Supervised visits and supervised exchanges are designed to assure that a child can have safe contact with a divorced, separated, or absent parent without having to be put in the middle of the parents' conflicts or other problems. It is the child's need that is paramount in making any decisions regarding the need for such supervision and a neutral place reduces tension for the child. The Mediation and Visitation Coordinator provides the oversight and assignment of approved local licensed social workers to provide the monitoring of visits.