Alameda County Superior Court
Family Court Self Help
Parent Orientation & Mediation
This section gives you information on:
- Family Court Parent Orientation and Mediation
- How to sign up
- What happens if you don't go?
In Alameda County, parents are required to attend a Child Custody Mediation Services Orientation Class first to learn about what will happen in mediation.
The law says parents who cannot agree about custody and visitation must go to mediation.
At your Orientation Class, you will get a packet of information that will help you get ready for your mediation. The packet includes information on:
- child custody and visitation
- child development
- co-parenting & parallel parenting arrangements,
- tips on how to avoid arguments
- what happens if the parents can’t come to an agreement during mediation.
- Understand the needs and feelings of their children after separation.
- Handle their own feelings in the best way possible for their children.
- Spot warning signs in their children.
- Separate themselves emotionally from the other parent
- Reduce conflict with the other parent.
- Develop new skills for getting along with the other parent.
- Communicate appropriately with each other after separation.
You will get a chance to ask questions about your situation at the end of the session.
- Click here to download the Orientation handbook (In process and not available at this time)
The classes are free. Usually, a counselor from Child Custody Mediation Services (link to CCMS Orientation Schedule) gives the class.
For information on how to sign up, please click on the this link (F&CB Orientation Information).
You must sign up before you go!
We will schedule you and the other parent at different times. Please do not attend without a scheduled appointment. You will not be allowed to stay.
What happens if you don't go?
The law says parents who cannot agree on custody and visitation MUST go to mediation.