In private mediation, the parties choose to work with a neutral mediator to resolve their disputes without going through court hearings or trial. You may participate with or without attorneys. You may work out agreements to all or some of your disputes, including divorce, spousal support, child custody, visitation and parenting plans, child support, and property, debt and income disputes.
The goal is to reach voluntary agreements that promote understanding, communication and individual and common interests while avoiding the time, cost and stress of court processes.
Private mediators do not make rulings, orders, decisions or reports. Their only job is to help you work out voluntary agreements that fit your particular situation.
No. Family law private mediation is completely different.
CCRC is sometimes known as “Family Court Services” or “Family Law Mediation” for child custody cases. It is different from private mediation in these ways:
CCRC only deals with child custody and visitation issues. Parents who cannot agree on these issues are required to attend CCRC. If you cannot work out an agreement in CCRC, the CCRC counselor is required to make a written recommendation to the judge, so CCRC is not confidential. Attorneys may not participate in CCRC sessions. There is no charge for CCRC.
Private mediation does not have these limitations. Parties can work out agreements to all issues at the same time, including child custody, visitation, spousal support, child support and property, debt and income disputes.
Private mediation is voluntary: the parties decide if they want to try private mediation, and can decide whether they want to settle all, some, or none of their disputes during mediation. Additionally, private mediators are not allowed to make any written or oral reports to the judge about what was discussed in mediation, even if the parties cannot reach an agreement.
Parties may participate with or without attorneys. Private mediators charge for their services, but may offer reduced or sliding scale rates.
Private mediation is not available from the court's panel:
Private mediators are available:
You may also locate private family law mediators through a telephone book or on-line searches but note that not all mediators are attorneys and not all attorney-mediators have experience in family law.
Yes. Be sure to contact the CCRC office to explain why you are canceling your appointment. If you cannot reach an agreement in private mediation you will have to reschedule your CCRC appointment.
- Blythe - 760.775.8500
- Hemet - 951.306.3081
- Indio - 760.393.2424
- Riverside - 951.777.3495 or 777.3496
- Southwest Justice Center - 951.704.7479
These private mediators ARE
- Local family law attorneys with at least 5 years of family law experience
- Trained and/or experienced in family law mediation
- Approved by the court to post their Mediator Profiles on the court's web site
These mediators ARE NOT
- Connected to the court's CCRC Department
- Allowed to make decisions about the parties, their children or the case
- Allowed to discuss the case with the judge; not allowed to make any oral or written reports or recommendations for the judge or the case file
- The lawyer for either party
Many family law disputes can be resolved using private mediation. These include:
Private mediation is most effective when parties can communicate and solve problems without fear or intimidation. When there is a history of domestic violence in a relationship, private mediation is probably not appropriate.
Private mediators on the court’s Family Law Private Mediation Panel do not accept cases which have a judicial determination of Domestic Violence, including Criminal Protective Orders (CPOs) or Restraining Orders (ROs).
Domestic Violence:
Private mediators on the court’s Family Law Private Mediation Panel may not assist parties with custody, visitation or parenting plans when possible child abuse or neglect is involved. Private mediators on this panel are required to refer parties in these cases to Child Custody Recommending Counselors (CCRC) to deal with custody and visitation issues.
Private mediators may be able to mediate remaining issues, such as property and income disputes.
No. But you may use private mediation for all other issues in the case, and you should inform your private mediator of the DCSS issue.
No. But you may use private mediation for all other issues in the case, and you should inform your private mediator of the DCSS issue.
No. But if you have a lawyer, you and your lawyer must decide if your lawyer will go with you to the private mediation session.
Private family law attorney-mediators in Riverside County generally charge somewhere between $150 - $500 per hour, but many private mediators on the court’s panel offer reduced or sliding scale rates.
This information is posted in their Mediator Profiles.
Most private mediation sessions last at least 2 - 3 hours. Some cases need more time; some less. And, some cases need more than one session so that the participants can have time to think about their options or locate missing information.
You may schedule private mediation whenever you want. You may try private mediation before filing court documents or anytime after filing. In many cases, the earlier the parties try private mediation, the more benefits they receive (fewer court hearings, lower attorneys’ fees, earlier judgments, less stress).
Go to the hearing and let the judge know that you’d like to try private mediation. Ask the judge to set a “return date” so that if you have to go back to court, you won’t have to file additional paperwork.
Private mediation usually takes place in the private mediator’s office, but other arrangements can sometimes be made.
Private mediation is most effective when parties are able to communicate and solve problems without fear or intimidation. For this reason, when there is a history of physical or emotional abuse in a relationship, private mediation is probably not appropriate. Discuss any concerns you have with your attorney and private mediator.
The parties must agree on a private mediator.
Private mediators are available:
You may also locate private family law mediators through telephone book or on-line searches but note that not all mediators are attorneys and not all attorney-mediators have experience in family law.
Any party or attorney in the case may contact a private mediator to see if he/she can accept the case. Be sure to discuss fees, location, scheduling and any other concerns about the case with the private mediator.
Note that private mediators are not required to accept any particular case and they are not required to give a reason for declining any case.
The parties schedule the private mediation session directly with their private mediator without court involvement.
Your private mediator will give you instructions about preparing for the private mediation session. Parties who cooperate with the private mediator’s instructions help facilitate the process and save themselves time and money.
The parties pay the fees and costs directly to their private mediator. The court is not involved in private mediation fee arrangements in any way. In most cases, the parties split the private mediator’s fees and costs.
If you have an attorney, he or she will advise you on the next steps.
If you are a self-represented party, meet with a Family Law Facilitator.