Why prepare for child custody mediation?

The child custody evaluator/mediator makes the decisions for your family that determine how and when you will interact with your child. Meeting a child custody evaluator/mediator unprepared is like taking an exam at the Department of Motor Vehicles to get a driver’s license without first learning the rules of the road. You might know how to drive a car, but if you don’t know the rules of the road – you probably aren’t going to pass the test and get to drive legally.

Regardless of what brought you to this point — dealing with family court services, child custody mediation or child custody evaluation — your job now is to work productively with the mental health professional and secure the best future possible for you and your
family. This is a critical moment in your life and if not properly managed, can work against you.

The less time that you have with the MHP, the more important it is that you make a good first impression. The more time that you have with the MHP, the more important it is that you are able to show historical and psychological consistency in your parenting over time.

Remember: “how you practice is how you play.”