Child Custody Mediation in Georgia

The parenting plan

Georgia requires a parenting plan in every custody case. In mediation the two of you decide what goes in it, and the mediator drafts it.

• The schedule. Where the children live during the week, how weekends rotate, and how holidays, school breaks, and summer are shared. Equal or near-equal time is a normal thing to put on the table, and so is any schedule that fits the children's week.
• Decisions. Who decides on school, health care, religion, and activities, and whether you decide together or one parent has the final say in an area.
• The day to day. Custody exchanges, transportation, travel, how the two of you communicate between households, and how the plan changes as the children get older.

Child support is part of the same conversation. Georgia sets the starting amount with a child support worksheet, and the support agreement goes to the judge with the plan.

Once you both sign, the plan goes to the court with your case. After the judge signs it, it is enforceable like any court order, and you can change it later if work schedules or the children's needs change.

Custody mediation, step by step

1. Take the two-minute quiz. You learn whether mediation fits your situation and whether you want your own attorney in the room.
2. Book your free consultation. We confirm mediation fits and tell you what to bring.
3. Mediate. One neutral mediator sits down with both parents and works through the schedule, decision-making, support, and anything else the plan has to cover. The goal is a signed parenting plan that day.
4. File. If custody is the only issue, we file the signed plan with the court. If you are divorcing, the parenting plan is signed Saturday and filed with the divorce paperwork on Monday.

Custody mediation questions

Do we have to be getting divorced?

No. Parents who were never married, and parents changing a plan that no longer works, can mediate a parenting plan the same way. Legitimation is the court step that gives an unmarried father legal rights as a parent. If the father has not legitimated the child yet, that step is handled alongside the plan, and we can explain how it works in your consultation.

How long does it take?

One day. We plan the session so you leave with the parenting plan signed. If you are divorcing, the plan is signed before you file, and Georgia's 31-day waiting period is counted from the filing date.

What if we do not finish in one day?

Whatever you have agreed on is written down, and we schedule a second session for what is left. Nothing is filed until both of you have signed.

What if we agree on most things but not the schedule?

That is common. The mediator puts the schedule options side by side and works through the days you disagree on until the schedule is settled.

Does the mediator decide anything?

No. The mediator represents neither parent and makes no rulings. Every decision is yours and your co-parent's, and the mediator keeps the process fair and writes up what you agree to.

Can I still have my own attorney?

Yes. You can have an attorney review the plan before it is filed, and if you want someone in your corner during the session itself, we offer mediation with your own attorney present. In that setup your attorney sits next to you and a separate mediator runs the session. The quiz shows which setup fits you.

Is mediation right when there has been abuse?

No. Where there is a history of violence, threats, or coercion, we do not recommend mediation. If that is your situation, we will talk with you about working with your own attorney instead.

What does custody mediation cost?

We tell you the fee in your free consultation.