Primary custody arrangements often include alternate weekends, a mid-week visit, and alternating holidays, special days and summer vacations with the other parent. Minimizing the need for child care by arranging time so that each parent has the child during their days or hours off from work, when they can spend time with and care for the child, thus maximizing the children's time with both parents. Mediators are not attorneys and cannot advise anyone regarding legal practices or procedures. Mediators can answer questions about the court process. A variety of non-profit social services agencies provide counseling services to divorcing families in the areas of domestic violence, marriage, family and children, and drug and alcohol abuse.
Legal assistance is also available.
Dependency, Juvenile Delinquency and Guardianship Mediation are available by order of the Court or agreement of the attorneys when there are unresolved issues between parents and children in reunifying the family after children have been in placement or in custody, or contested guardianships. Conservatorship Mediation is available by order of the Court or agreement of the attorneys when there are issues between the conservatee and the conservator or the care providers, or between family members over the care of the conservatee. The Court may order an investigation in custody or visitation disputes if the judge feels that it is necessary to resolve complex issues such as safety of the children. Mediators and attorneys may also recommend to the Court that an investigation be conducted, if in their judgement it would help to clarify allegations and promote settlement of issues in the best interests of the children. When there are custody or visitation disputes at issue, an investigation can be tailored to focus on the specific information needed by the Court depending on the unique family situation.