Co-Parenting Mediation: Guiding Clients to Durable, Child-Centered Agreements

This course equips attorneys with the skills and insight to support clients navigating custody and visitation mediation, particularly in court-annexed settings. Using The Parent Trap as a fictional case study, the program draws parallels between cinematic conflict and real-world co-parenting challenges to highlight where mediation could have supported healthier outcomes for the family.

Rooted in best practices from Long Island Dispute Resolution Centers (LIDRC) at EAC Network, a statewide leader in family mediation, this course explores how attorneys can assess mediation readiness, prepare clients emotionally and strategically, and support the development of durable, child-centered parenting plans. Special focus is given to trauma-informed screening, cultural responsiveness in cross-jurisdictional co-parenting, and the long-term sustainability of mediated parenting agreements. This program will benefit family law attorneys, court-appointed counsel, legal aid providers, ADR professionals, and any practitioner committed to reducing litigation-related harm and promoting healthier, more durable co-parenting outcomes.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Differentiate between court-referred and self-referred custody mediation processes and analyze how timing, client readiness, and tone influence outcomes

2. Evaluate the appropriateness of mediation in custody and visitation matters, including red flags related to domestic violence, child safety, and power imbalances

3. Prepare clients for custody mediation by helping them clarify goals, gather relevant documents, and understand their role in collaborative decision-making

4. Support clients during mediation, when appropriate, by offering legal insight while promoting child-centered and culturally responsive agreements on key issues such as parenting time, relocation, and communication protocols

5. Review and refine mediated agreements for legal clarity, enforceability, and long-term co-parenting sustainability, including the use of co-parenting technologies