I do not think they will postpone mediation. You don’t actually need an attorney for mediation. There are no lawyers allowed. It is just you, your ex, and a mediator. Mediation is a way for the two of you to reasonably work out your custody and visitation issues. Its actually a much more open forum than a court trial. And you don’t have to agree to anything in mediation you are not comfortable with. If it is your first scheduled mediation, you will actually only be going through an orientation session that explains coparenting and the mediation process. At the end of the orientation, the mediator then schedules you and your ex for your actual mediation appointment to sit down with the ex and mediator to try and work out a reasonable agreement.
I know it all seems scary, but it’s not anything to stress over.
I’ve never been to mediation, but I do know that other TYPES of mediation have lawyers. There are many types of mediation circumstances (for separation agreements, ED…)
IF you go to mediation and HE has a lawyer with him, I would not agree to anything you’re not 100% comfortable with. Like plsadvise says, your type of mediation probably doesn’t call for a lawyer. BUT if it happens, do not be bullied. Stand firm, don’t agree to anything, and then go get your own lawyer.
Thank you for all the information about mediation. I surely hope that it’s correct that attorneys are not allowed. I’d hate to lose my kids because I didn’t have an attorney when I needed one.
This is a court ordered mediation apparently, as my ex and I certainly have not chosen to try mediation. I was delivered papers, by a law enforcement officer, with allegations listed as to why he is asking for custody.
Why would attorneys be telling me Not to go without an attorney if no attorneys are allowed?
If you are referring to the court ordered mediation that takes place at the courthouse neither party is permitted to have an attorney attend this mediation.
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Mediation in child custody hearing is Monday. I have been trying for two weeks to get an attorney, waiting on Legal Aid to make a decision about whether to take my case.
I finally found out yesterday that they will not take my case, as they don’t do custody cases now. They couldn’t tell me that two weeks ago???
Anyway, my question is …
Is it too late to have mediation postponed???
The case is too nasty to go without representation. What can I do?