For Parents: Seminar for Separating Parents ("COPE" Class) and Mediation
Working through co-parenting and visitation issues can be one of the most difficult things for parents to handle when they separate. Family Court has two programs to help parents deal with these issues. A seminar may be required for parents who are separating, and Family Mediation Center services are required for parents who cannot work out their own custody agreement.
WARNING!
Do not bring your children to court with you, do not talk about the court case with your children, and do not show them any papers about the case. The court rules do not allow children to participate in any part of your court case unless the judge orders it.
Family Mediation Center
Family Mediation Center services are accessible only via court order. The Family Mediation Center mediates non-financial child custody issues such as legal custody, timeshare, holidays, vacation, transportation, and any other issues as ordered by the court.
Mediation is confidential, conducted via alternate means, and requires you have privacy at all times during your appointment. Driving and recording are prohibited. The mediator will direct the confidential process and provide optional solutions, while the parties remain in control of the outcome. Mediation is not counseling or an attempt to reconcile.
The court may order parties to mediation in cases where child custody is in dispute. To ask your Judge to refer you to mediation, you can use the following form if you have a case filed at Family Court:
Request and Order for Family Mediation Center (pdf fillable)
When ordered by the Judge to participate in mandatory mediation, only the Judge assigned to your case can waive your participation in mediation. To ask the judge to waive mediation in your case, you can use the following form.
Request and Order to Waive Mediation (pdf fillable)
For more information about the Family Mediation Center and the mediation process, please visit Family Mediation Center.
Seminar for Separating Parents ("COPE" Class)
Children may have a hard time adjusting when parents separate. To help lessen the impact on the children, the Court might require the parents to attend a seminar for separating parents, sometimes called the "COPE" class.
There are several providers for this class. Your judge's staff should be able to direct you to the provider they prefer if the judge has ordered that you complete a class.
