Are you dealing with custody issues with a former partner and not sure where to turn? In Minnesota, custody mediation is a great option that allows parents who have never been married to resolve custody and child support issues with less time and conflict compared to using the traditional legal system just like married couples and with the same results and agreement options.
5 Benefits of Custody Mediation
Below are just a few of the many benefits of custody mediation:
1. Reduces Conflict – Mediation helps to reduce conflict compared to a long and drawn-out legal battle. When you’re mediating child custody you want to do all you can to limit the time and effort required to reduce any impact on your children.
2. Helps to Establish Co-parenting Foundation – When you work out a custody agreement during mediation, you’re literally laying the groundwork to help establish a strong co-parenting foundation for you and your former partner. This foundation can be extremely beneficial when you’re trying to navigate the many complexities of child custody.
3. Reduces Costs Both Financially and Emotionally – Custody mediation is much less expensive than litigation. This is not only from a financial perspective, but an emotional one as well. There are financial costs, but there are also emotional costs that can be avoided by utilizing custody mediation.
4. Ability to Be Creative With Non-Legal Matters – Because mediation is not the same as litigation it allows individuals to address important non-legal issues that can’t be dealt with in the normal court of law.
5. Confidential – A mediated custody settlement is 100% confidential for all parties involved. This ensures your privacy as well as the privacy of your former partner and children is always protected.
Common Components of a Custody Settlement
There are typically three components to any custody settlement.
1. Child support details
2. Designations outlining physical and legal custody declarations
3. Visitation details as well as other important parenting agreements that can be addressed during mediation
Mediation Often Required in MN Custody Cases
Because of the effectiveness of mediation, the State of Minnesota requires that you make an effort to resolve any custody issues through what’s called an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). You can learn more about the state’s ADR requirements on the website for the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
More Information on Custody Mediation
If you’re ready to turn to custody mediation due to issues with a former partner, don’t hesitate to reach out to Amber Serwat of AMS Mediation today. Feel free to give our office a call today at 952-252-1492 to learn more about the many benefits of custody mediation.
