The Anderson County Juvenile Court refers cases from the Child Support Docket to the Community Mediation Services for mediation.
What is Mediation?
Mediation is a way of assisting people in deciding their own best solutions to issues. Mediators help people involved to talk to each other.
The mediators support parents in finding new ways to resolve their issues concerning visitation. The parents resolve their own case in a fair, respectful, and confidential way.
- Mediators are not Judges
- Mediators in this program are not lawyers
- Mediators do not decide who is right or wrong
- Mediators do not take sides
- Mediators do not give legal advice
The Juvenile Court Judge sends parents to mediation because the judge believes they can decide how best to address visitation with the child(ren).
What are the Benefits of Mediation?
- Mediation sessions are scheduled at times convenient for both the parents and the mediation team.
- The parents involved resolve their issues for themselves, rather than having a judge or someone else tell them what they must do.
- Mediation is private. What is said in mediation is confidential.
- Unlike Court, there are no rules of evidence in mediation. No witnesses or testimonies are part of mediation. Parents can say and consider whatever they find helpful.
- The parents work to decide their issues over child visitation without involving the child(ren).
- There are no losers in a mediated dispute because the parents agree on a solution that satisfies everyone involved.
Are there any fees for Mediation?
There are no fees associated with mediation.
Who are the Mediators?
The Mediators are residents of our community who volunteer and are trained as mediators.
How long are the Mediation sessions?
The mediation sessions are individualized to
meet the needs of both parents and
mediators. Plan for at least two hours for
each mediation session. Sometimes, more
than one session must be scheduled to help
the parents reach an agreement.
Should children attend Mediation?
No. Parents need to give mediation their
full attention.
What happens when parents reach a
Visitation Agreement?
The parents with the assistance of the
mediators write up an agreement. The
signed agreement is given to the
Administrative Assistant of Juvenile Court.
The Judge will then review the agreement
and make it an order of the Court if
appropriate. Parents will receive a copy
in the mail from the court.