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Civil Operations CIVIL SMALL CLAIMS PROBATE FAMILY LAW & FAMILY SUPPORT Self Help Resources |
FAMILY COURT SERVICES Mission of Family Court Services Children The Challenge In Divorce - 2008 Schedule Mission of Family Court Services To assist parents of minor age children in reorganizing their family following separation or divorce in a manner that will enable the children to continue having healthy relationships with both parents.
Mediation is required by California State law when parents are in disagreement about the custody of their child/ren. Mediation is a process of assisting parents in developing a parenting plan and is a neutral setting for discussing arrangements for the children, and to reduce acrimony and provide guidelines for parenting after separation or divorce. Mediation is a means of settling parenting disputes outside of court. Each parent is given the opportunity to be heard, and the objective is to develop parenting plans that meet the needs of the child/ren. Mediation is confidential from the Court process, and the mediator does not make recommendations to the Court if the parents are in disagreement. If an agreement is reached, the stipulation/agreement is submitted to the Court only after the parties have agreed in writing.
Prior to parents attending mediation they must have an open Superior Court case with a file number. Examples of Court filings are: a divorce, legal separation, paternity action, child support case, etc. There is no charge for mediation. If a mediation is elective, the parent who is desiring a change in the parenting plan must by law give the other parent a minimum of 10 days prior notice. In situations where one party cancels the appointment, the other party must also call and cancel the appointment. Otherwise, one party may be reported as a non-appearance.
Family Court Services can accommodate requests for long distance and out of state telephone mediation. All telephone mediations must be approved by the mediator prior to the scheduled appointment. Mediation is for parents only
New spouses, significant other relationships and extended family members are not to be included unless previously approved by Family Court Services. Children are not included unless previously arranged by Family Court Services. Please conatact FCS prior to your appointment if you wish to have a support person present because of domestic violence. Domestic Violence and Restraining Orders
In cases involving domestic violence mediation is conducted in a manner to protect all the parties. Family Court Services' policy is to meet with each party separately. FCS schedules each appointment on separate days. FCS's goal is to protect all parties during the mediation experience in order to create the best possible environment to help families develop parenting plans with as little conflict as possible and with the highest level of satisfaction possible. Child
Custody Evaluations In cases with ongoing unresolved disputes between parents, the Court could order a FC 3111 Child Custody Evaluation. The evaluation is conducted by a Court appointed evaluator. The focus of a child custody evaluation is to assess the individual and family factors that affect the psychological best interests of the child/ren. The primary purpose and function of a child custody evaluation is to gather information about the family in a comprehensive and unbiased manner, and to report back to the Court with a planned recommendation for helping the child/ren maintain relationships with both parents which best serves his/her needs. To accomplish this end, a child custody evaluation usually includes (1) an assessment of each parent's historical involvement and current capacities for parenting and their ability to manage conflict; (2) an assessment of the child's psychological functioning and developmental needs and the child's wishes where appropriate; and (3) an assessment of each parent's functional ability to meet the child's needs, which includes evaluation of the interaction between each adult and child.
Family Court Services also prepares Out of County Courtesy Home Evaluations , which is a home study requested by another Court in a different county for a child custody evaluation. FCS also prepares Termination of Parental Rights Reports , which require a filed petition by the requesting party and a written report submitted by FCS for a Court hearing.
Children: the Challenge of Divorce is a class which addresses the needs of children whose parents maintain separate households. The class is also provides information about the mediation process and the "how to" of maintaining an ongoing co-parental relationship. The class is three and half hours in length and includes an orientation to the mediation process.
This class is for adults only and significant others are welcome as space allows. This program satisfies the Court's requirements for parent education prior to receiving final orders. All classes are held at the City/County Library in the Library Conference Room. The library is located at 995 Palm Street, on the corner of Palm and Osos Streets in San Luis Obispo.
C.O.P.E. A Co-Parenting Essentials is a co-parental education class for parents involved in continuing conflict. COPE is a six week education program, each session lasting one and a half hours. The class can either be Court ordered or attended voluntarily by agreement of the parents. The class objectives are to teach parents the detrimental effects of continued conflict on their children, and to teach parents new ways to communicate to end their fighting and form a cooperative co-parental relationship that better supports the children's well being. $50.00 fee per person. Class enrolment is limited, and registration is made upon payment or upon receipt of an appropriate fee waiver. Call 805-781-5423 for information. Parking is available in the parking structure on the Northwest corner of Palm and Morro streets, across from the Palm Theater. On street metered parking is also available.
Fees : All required fees are to be paid in advance in the Superior Court Clerk's Office at 1035 Palm Street , Room 385, San Luis Obispo , CA 93408 . Current fee waivers are accepted for all services involving fees.
For further information, Please contact our office at:
Superior Court of San Luis Obispo Family Court Services 1120 Mill St. San Luis Obispo, CA 93408 Phone: (805) 781- 5423 FAX: (805) 781-1131
Superior Court of San Luis Obispo Superior Court Clerk's Division County Government Center, Room 385 San Luis Obispo, CA 93408 (805) 781-5706 Children The Challenge In Divorce
2008___________________________________
Thursday, July 17 8:30 am to 12:00 pm
Wednesday, August 6 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Thursday, August 21 8:30 am to 12:00 pm
Thursday, September 18 8:30 am to 12:00 pm
Wednesday, October 1 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Thursday, October 16 8:30 am to 12:00 pm
Thursday, November 20 8:30 am to 12:00 pm
Wednesday, December 3 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Thursday, December 18 8:30 am to 12:00 pm This page last updated 8/30/07 |
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