Family Law Attorney Contra Costa County, CA 

If you and your child’s other parent have either agreed to try mediation or have been ordered by the court to try to resolve your child custody differences through mediation, you should get the help of a family law attorney Contra Costa County, CA depends on from The Law Offices of Ariel Brownell. You should know that it is completely normal to feel overwhelmed by this process. You may be concerned that your priorities and concerns are too different from those of your child’s other parent. You may be concerned about having to remain civil to your child’s other parent during mediation sessions. You may even be concerned that mediation will not work and that a judge will have to determine the terms of your child custody orders. All of these concerns are normal. And thankfully, you do not have to face this process alone.

Working with a Contra Costa County, California family law attorney experienced in the process of child custody mediation will help to ensure that you have the legal guidance and support you need while trying to resolve your differences with your child’s other parent. Your attorney may have specific advice for you as you prepare for your first mediation session. But in addition to that specific guidance, you may benefit from considering a few basic preparation tips.

Preparing for Child Custody Mediation

It is important to write down any questions and concerns you may have prior to meeting with your Contra Costa County, CA family law attorney. In your mind, what might stand in the way of facilitating your child’s best interests? Are you concerned about the amount of time spent with each parent? About your child’s schooling situation? About any specific parenting decisions that your child’s other parent tends to make? By listing your questions and concerns before you begin, you will be able to make sure each gets addressed. Mediation can be stressful, so it is generally not a good idea to rely on memory alone in the moment.

If you need to work out the terms of a custody and/or visitation schedule, consider working with your attorney to draw up a sample or two in advance. That way, you will be able to have a concrete starting point for beginning your negotiations.

Child Custody Guidance Is Available From a Family Law Attorney Contra Costa County, CA Relies On

If you have questions about child custody matters generally or mediation specifically, please do not hesitate to schedule a consultation with our family law attorney today. Mediation can be an intimidating process, but if you are willing to remain focused on the goal of advocating for your child’s best interests, your attorney will help you to make sure you obtain the best possible outcome under the circumstances. There are times that mediation is unsuccessful because the parties reach an impasse. But even if this happens in your case, working with an attorney will help you to get the most you can out of mediation before you need to resolve your remaining differences in court. You do not need to deal with any part of the mediation process alone. A Contra Costa County, CA family law attorney from The Law Offices of Ariel Brownell is here to provide necessary support and guidance at this time of transition; call us now!