Family Mediation Program
The Family Mediation Program provides mediation
services to parties who have disputes regarding family matters
such as custody, visitation, and child support, and divorce
issues such as the distribution of property and debts, and
spousal support. Family mediation facilitates the settlement
of disputes by empowering parties, improving communication,
and addressing the best interests of the children.
We can help:
- If you have a dispute about the custody, visitation or
financial support of your child
- If you wish to get a legal separation or divorce
- Whether or not you have filed a case in Court
- Whether or not you have an attorney
- If you think that a free, voluntary, confidential forum
might be the best place for discussing your issues
What we do:
- Confirm that your case is appropriate for mediation
- Schedule an initial mediation session with you, the other
party, and a trained, neutral Multi- Door mediator. If you
have filed a case in Court, the judge will refer you to
Multi-Door directly from your initial hearing. We can do
the intake interview and often conduct the first mediation
session that same day. This can save you time waiting for
an appointment and make full use of your trip to Court.
- Meet with you and the other party jointly and separately
to assist you in resolving your dispute.
- Schedule follow-on sessions as necessary. Mediations
are held Monday through Friday during the day, on Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday evenings, and on Saturday mornings.
- Keep your discussion confidential, with the exceptions
of abuse or threats of violence.
- Write up any agreements you reach.
- Assist you in finding legal representation if requested.
What you do:
- Initiate the family mediation process with an intake interview
by a dispute resolution specialist.
- Participate in mediation sessions as scheduled. Each session
lasts approximately 2 hours and several sessions may be
needed to resolve your matters.
- Have any written agreements reviewed by an attorney, if
possible. Mediators and Multi-Door staff do not give legal
advice or represent you in Court.
- File any motions required by the Court if you wish your
agreement to be reviewed by a judge and made an order of
the Court.
Location of mediations:
All mediations are held at Court Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Suite 104, Washington, D.C. 20001. Entrance to the building is located at the Police Memorial, between E and F Streets.
How to reach us:
Call for information: (202) 879-1549
Come in for information and speak with a Dispute Resolution Specialist - 515 5th Street, N.W., Suite 114, Washington, D.C. 20001
Darrell Hale, Family ADR Branch Chief: (202) 879-0668
Richard Becker, Family Program Officer: (202) 879-0669
Brochure and Forms:
Family Mediation Brochure
Agreement to Mediate
Income Form
Asset Form
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