This is the next post in my series discussing what happens during a Las Vegas, Nevada child custody case. My last article discussed what happens when a parent fails to follow a child custody order. Such a parent may possibly be held in Contempt of Court and failing to follow an Order will likely hurt their standing with the Court. In this article I will be discussing the requirement of attending mediation and what to expect during that part of the process. If you or a family member are in need of assistance then contact my office today to speak with a lawyer.
Nevada is like many other states in that it requires the parents to attend a mediation as part of a child custody case. Mediation is a form of dispute resolution in which a neutral third party (the mediator) attempts to get the parties to reach a compromise. In Las Vegas, parents are often ordered to attend mediation when the Court issues its temporary child custody orders. The parties may either attend a private mediation or utilize the free-of-charge program offered by the Clark County Family Court. If the parties are able to reach an agreement at mediation then the mediator will prepare a stipulation and order, which the parties will sign, and it will be submitted to the Court.
Attorneys will typically not be present when the parents attend the Court’s own mediation program. If you attend this program as opposed to private mediation (at which counsel can be present), then it is generally a good idea to have your attorney review any proposed stipulation and order before you sign it. Counsel will make sure that you understand all aspects of the order and how your agreed upon custody solution will impact child support (the Family Court mediation program does not deal with financial issues). By taking the time to have your counsel review the agreement, you can help to protect yourself against unforeseen outcomes.
It is common for parents to go into mediation with the belief that they will not settle the case and to then reach a settlement. One of the largest issues that leads to prolonged litigation is the parties refusing to communicate with each other. Mediation forces this communication and, quite often, results in the parties realizing that they are able to work together when it comes to raising their children. With that said, a parent should typically not agree to a settlement unless they believe that it is in the best interest of their child. An experienced attorney will give you an honest assessment of your case and will help you determine whether it is best to accept any proposed settlement.
If you are involved in a family law dispute then contact my office today to speak with a Las Vegas child custody lawyer. I assist my clients with understanding what to expect from mediation and I help to ensure that they are prepared for the process before they enter into it. I always suggest that my clients have me review a proposed settlement before they sign it and I ensure that they understand the full legal effect of any agreement. I devote my practice to the handling of domestic relations law and I strive to provide the highest level of service. Contact my firm online or by telephone today to schedule an initial consultation. I look forward to speaking with you.