Child Custody Mediator: A Quick Guide

by | Jan 20, 2022 | Mediation

Child custody is a complex emotional issue that many parents facing divorce must confront. The legal system can be complicated and intimidating, and navigating it without having a lawyer on your side can feel impossible. This is why hiring a mediator might be the best option for you. Mediation is an alternative to litigation that enables both parents to have more control over the process, which has been shown to help reduce stress levels among families. Here are some ways hiring a child custody mediator can help you get through this tough time.

Child Custody Mediator: A Quick Guide

What is Child Custody Mediation?

Mediation is a non-adversarial approach that can benefit many types of family disputes, including child custody. Mediation allows you to work together with a neutral third party who helps you create a resolution without going to court. The mediator often uses negotiation and problem-solving techniques to help facilitate your agreement. It’s important to note that mediation isn’t just for divorcing couples. If you’re experiencing any difficulties related to living with or raising your children, mediation may help address these issues as well.

Why Mediation?

Couples going through a divorce must make many difficult decisions. These decisions impact not only them but also their children. Mediation can be used when one parent wants custody of their children and the other doesn’t, where parents wish to have joint custody, or where one parent thinks they should keep their children from the other parent. Parents can also use mediation for parenting plans or child support issues.

Mediation gives each parent a voice in the decision-making process and provides them with the opportunity to agree to a conclusion that works for everyone involved. If you’re struggling with your own emotions or your partner’s, mediation is exactly what you need.

How Does Mediation Work?

Mediation will involve an independent, third-party mediator who aids you and your ex-partner until you both reach an amicable agreement. It’s important to remember that the mediator has no power to enforce anything and cannot change what the legal system will do; they’re there to help break the stalemate and get you to a better place.

The first step of mediation is for both parents or partners to come together for a meeting. The mediator will guide the conversation, asking questions about how each parent feels about their child, how long they’ve been together, their current situation, etc. You’ll take some time during this meeting to clearly define your goals.

Once both parties have agreed on these terms, it’s time for negotiations. The mediator will then facilitate conversations between both parents or partners to find a middle ground.

We Can Mediate for You

Divorces can get messy, but they don’t have to be. Whipple Mercado Law is here to mediate on your and your partner’s behalf and help you both reach an amicable conclusion. You can talk to a San Ramon mediator right now by calling (925) 344-5050. You can also book a no-cost consultation with Whipple, Mercado & Associates by clicking this link.

Tammy J. Mercado

Tammy J. Mercado has a passion for helping her clients achieve their desired results. She listens and she personally and promptly responds to your texts, emails and phone calls. She offers real solutions to your legal matters. Tammy will carefully evaluate the legal issues in your case, provide you with sound advice and offer you the pros and cons of each possible scenario so you can meet your legal objectives. She encourages clients to participate in their own matters. Tammy believes that client participation is key to a positive result and to keeping attorney fees as low as possible. You can be sure that she will offer you straightforward, sound and honest advice in a professional manner, with integrity and excellence.

Before opening her own law practice, Tammy worked for many high-volume law firms. This gave her extensive, diversified experience in hundreds of complex family law cases as well as civil matters. She is admitted to practice law before all courts in California and the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. She is also a member of the American Bar Association, the Contra Costa Bar Association, the Alameda County Bar Association and the Bar Association of San Francisco. Tammy is also a member of the Rotary Club of Danville.

Tammy is a graduate of John F. Kennedy School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Science in business management from the University of Phoenix. Tammy is also a licensed real estate broker, which comes in handy for valuing property in family law cases as well as real estate matters in the civil arena.

During her off time, Tammy is an avid sailor who crews and races on various boats in the San Francisco Bay. Tammy approaches each case as she would any yacht race: by assessing the other’s strengths, weaknesses, experience, equipment, history and reputation. She is a member of the American Sailing Association, and she is a certified Coast Guard Auxiliary member.

HONORS AND AWARDS
Tammy was selected to receive the prestigious “Business Person of the Year” Award in 2017 for the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce.

Tammy is currently serving as Danville Rotary President for 2017 through 2019.

Mary C. Whipple, CFLS

Mary C. Whipple opened her first law practice in the summer of 2008. She previously was an associate attorney at the Law Office of Cummins & Holmes, a full-service civil litigation law firm in San Ramon. The majority of her experience is in family law, which includes divorce, custody, support, prenuptial agreements and domestic-violence restraining orders. Certified by the California State Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization, she is a specialist in the area of family law. Mary has also represented clients in a variety of non-family-law cases, including juvenile dependency, probate, breach of contract and employment disputes, to name a few.

Mary also previously worked as a contract attorney for O’Melveny & Meyers in San Francisco while simultaneously volunteering at the Bar Association of San Francisco’s Volunteer Legal Services Program, representing defendants in unlawful detainer actions. The program acknowledged Mary with an Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service Award in 2006 for her efforts in providing access to justice.

A seventh-generation Californian, Mary is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago School of Law. She earned her Bachelor of Science in criminology at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon. She is a member of the State Bar of California, the Alameda County Bar Association, and the Contra Costa County Bar Association.

In addition, Mary is active in her community as a member of the Ambassador’s Committee for the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce; a volunteer at the Contra Costa County and Alameda County Superior Courts, where she assists self-represented litigants in completing their divorces; and a member of Divorce Angel, where she provides information regarding family law matters to members of the community. Since 2007 she has been a volunteer judge for Alameda and Contra Costa County’s Annual High School Moot Court Competition. She is also a member of the Danville/Sycamore Valley Rotary Club. She was awarded the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce 2012 Business Person of the Year; and a graduate of the 2012 class of Leadership San Ramon Valley.

CERTIFIED LEGAL SPECIALTIES
Certified Specialist in Family Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization