Client Prep for Custody Mediation
November 2002
Being the best possible parent: How to prepare your client for custody mediation and evaluations.
General Credit
1. The custody mediator's job is to decide who will be the better parent. True False
2. In a custody matter in a nonconfidential county, a private mediator initially may benefit a reofrmed client who has committed domestic violence or child abuse in the past. True False
3. A parent should ask for as much parenting time as legally possible in a proposed parenting plan. True False
4. Children's relationships with extended family can be an important element in a contested custody matter. True False
5. The parties can always stipulate to a parenting plan in a contested custody matter. True False
6. A client's history with drug or alcohol use should not be disclosed in a custody dispute. True False
7. Unfounded claims of child abuse in a child-custody proceedin can lead to sanctions against the accuser. True False
8. A client can never have an advocate present at a custody mediation. True False
9. After domestic violence is alleged, the parties cannot meet at a joint custody mediation or evaluation session. True False
10. In many counties, clients can hear the results of the custody's evaluation before the report is written. True False
11. Siblings cannot be split up between households. True False
12. In custody mediation, your client is not required to divulge whether he or she is in therapy. True False
13. In a custody dispute, the best interests of the child is based on the parents' track records as parents. True False
14. At the age of 16, a child is allowed to choose his or her parenting plan. True False
15. A child-custody evaluation may be shared with the client's therapist. True False
16. The court is bound by the findings in the custody evaluator's report. True False
17. In a custody dispute, the court can require parents to attend outpatient counseling. True False
18. A client who has been accused of domestic violence cannot get joint custody of his or her children. True False
19. Clients who put their mental health into issue may be subjected to a mental health examination for purposes of discovery. True False
20. Evaluation reports are typically available to the parties and to the court for several months prior to the scheduled custody hearing. True False
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