Custody Mediation, Conflict Resolution, Parenting Coordination

These services all involve a brief evaluation of family needs, followed by a series of discussions with the clients and (whenever appropriate) their attorneys.

Custody mediation begins with the co-parents filling out a comprehensive online questionnaire that examines the family structure, day to day issues such as work schedules and avaliability, and conflicts and concerns in the co-parenting relationship. This is followed by a one on one consultation with each parent where parents are shown where there are areas of agreement, minor disagreements and major disagreements. Specific suggestions are made about how to resolve areas of disagreement. A plan of action is drawn up where parents are asked to make contributions of good faith to one another as a means of resolving areas of conflict. Parents might be given "homework assignments." Following the completion of tasks prescribed by the custody mediator, the parents are met with a second time. A second assessment is done to review the remaining areas of conflict. A report suggesting longer term strategies is generated. Parties are met with for a maximum of three more times, following which the case either transitions to Parenting Coordination (after a successful mediation), no intervention at all (after a very successful mediation) or a meeting with the parties attorneys to discuss why continued mediation is not an option.

Conflict resolution is limited interventon, concentrating on a single issue only, usually for maximum of three sessions. The issue is discussed, communication is clarified and suggestions are made verbally and in writing.

Parenting Coordination is a "contracted for" service. Co-parents sign a retainer agreement for a specified period of time (usually six months to a year) and the parenting coordinator works with the parents on a regualr basis (not necessarily on a weekly basis, but when the need arises or when a particular issue needs attention). Parenting coordinators are usually specially trained individuals who come from legal and/or mental health backgrounds. This is not the case is all states, but virtually all parenting coordinators have experience in mediation, negotiation, conflict resolution and teaching people communication skills. In the state of New York, parenting coordination is just getting off the ground and Dr. Favaro has been both a founder and an innovator in the development of parenting coordination services in New York.