What Happens at Child Custody Mediation in California?
Child custody mediation gives parents an opportunity to discuss custody and parenting time with a trained professional before the court decides disputed issues. The goal is to develop a parenting plan that serves the child’s best interests.
Riverside and San Bernardino Counties use child custody recommending counseling, commonly called CCRC. When parents cannot reach an agreement, the counselor can provide recommendations to the judge. Parents should therefore prepare carefully and understand how the process works.
What Issues Are Discussed?
The session focuses on custody and parenting arrangements rather than resolving every issue in a divorce.
Topics may include:
- Where the child will live
- The regular parenting schedule
- Holidays and school breaks
- Transportation and exchanges
- Decision-making responsibilities
- Safety concerns and necessary protections
The counselor helps identify agreements and remaining disputes. Child support, spousal support, and property division generally require separate attention.
A practical proposal can help explain how the requested arrangement would work. Additional information is available about parenting plans in California.
How Should a Parent Prepare?
Parents should review the appointment notice and complete any required orientation or questionnaires. Instructions may address attendance, document submission, and whether the session occurs remotely or in person.
Useful preparation includes reviewing existing orders, outlining the current schedule, and identifying the specific changes requested.
A proposed plan should account for school hours, work schedules, travel between homes, and the child’s needs. General requests such as “more time” are less informative than a schedule with clear days and exchange times.
Parents should also prepare concise descriptions of important concerns, supported by specific examples when available.
Is Everything Said Confidential?
Parents should not assume that court-connected recommending counseling has the same confidentiality rules as private settlement mediation.
In Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, recommendations may be provided to the court when parents do not agree. Information disclosed during the process may therefore affect the upcoming hearing.
Confidentiality also has limits involving matters such as suspected child abuse. Parents should review the court’s explanation of the process and discuss questions with an attorney beforehand.
What Happens If Parents Reach an Agreement?
The counselor can help document agreed parenting terms for the court’s consideration. Parents should understand the proposed language before agreeing, particularly provisions concerning holidays, transportation, and decision-making.
A counselor’s discussion or recommendation is not itself a new custody order. Parents should confirm what the judge has approved and obtain the resulting order.
If only some issues are resolved, the remaining disagreements may still require a hearing.
What Happens If Parents Cannot Agree?
In recommending counseling, the counselor may submit recommendations addressing unresolved issues. The judge remains responsible for making custody and visitation orders.
A parent who disagrees with a recommendation should prepare to explain the concerns through the appropriate court process. Specific facts and a workable alternative are more useful than simply stating that the recommendation is unfair.
Legal guidance can help a parent prepare for both the counseling appointment and the subsequent child custody and visitation hearing.
What If There Has Been Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence and safety concerns should be disclosed to Family Court Services before the appointment when possible.
Separate sessions and other safety accommodations may be available. California Courts guidance also explains circumstances in which a support person may attend, subject to restrictions on participation.
Parents should ask about the available protections rather than assume they must negotiate face-to-face. Any restraining orders should be identified so the session can be arranged appropriately.
Custody Mediation Help in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties
Preparation can help parents communicate their concerns clearly and propose arrangements focused on the child.
Cullen Family Law Group assists parents throughout Riverside and San Bernardino Counties with custody disputes, preparation for recommending counseling, and court hearings. To discuss an upcoming appointment or parenting-plan dispute, schedule a confidential consultation or call 951-715-4632.
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice.