VIRGINIA Part 68

What is mediation and who pays for it?

Mediation is a process where both parents will meet to try to come to an agreement on how to divide up custody and visitation, without leaving the decision to the judge.  A third party who is neutral, generally called a mediator, meets with the parents to help them reach an agreement that both parties are happy with.

Virginia law states that in all appropriate cases, the court should order that parents go through mediation before seeing a judge.*  This is done in an effort to save time and money for everyone.  However, if there is a history of family abuse, you can ask the court to skip the mediation process, and go straight to a hearing in front of a judge.**