Custody mediations and evaluations are critical in contested custody cases, yet clients routinely go into sessions without a basic knowledge about the process and what is expected of them, and often with inflexible positions on custody arrangements. Family lawyers, therapists and parenting educators can help clients dig themselves out of entrenched positions, evaluate their goals, and develop a child-centered parenting plan that will get them through the mediation and evaluation process and promote the best interests of their children.

DRESS REHEARSAL

Many custody disputes are resolved in mediation, whether it