How You Can Prepare for Child Custody Mediation

If you have minor children, then child custody is going to be an issue you’ll need to negotiate in your divorce mediation sessions. This can be a particularly complex and emotional subject, so it’s important you are fully prepared emotionally and logistically for the negotiations that are to come.

Here are some tips to help you prepare for mediating this particular topic.

• Start considering the schedule: If you start exploring some ideas for custody schedules in advance, you can bring them to the mediation sessions and already have something to discuss. Present several different options and accept input about what will work best.
• Consider potential provisions: Your custody plan will feature various provisions and guidelines to help each parent share parental responsibility. You can find provision ideas online or come up with your own. To get started, think about some of the problems that are most likely to come up with custody and visitation and how you can best resolve them.
• Stay organized: With all the prep work you do, make sure you stay organized. Keep digital files in well-organized folders, prepare visuals that you keep in a folder or binder to bring with you, and make sure you keep track of all communications between yourself and your attorney or your spouse.
• Prioritize certain issues: Remember that you are going to have to compromise in some areas regarding custody, so think carefully about what issues are most important to you. Are there particular holidays you care more about than others, for example? Lower-priority items are an opportunity to compromise and keep the process moving smoothly.

For more information about preparation for child custody mediation, contact an experienced Long Island attorney at Solutions Divorce Mediation.