Mediation:
- The Court provides trained mediators who can assist you in settling your case before trial.
- Mediators do not decide the outcome of a case.
- All agreements reached in mediation are voluntary.
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How do I…
Get help with my family matter?
Multi-Door Family mediation can be helpful for people who want to have control over the resolution of the issues in their family. Family mediation may be helpful to you…
- If you have a dispute about the custody, visitation or financial support of your child
- If you are going through 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 meeting might be the best place for discussing your issues
Get help during the mediation process from the staff of the Multi-Door Division (the mediation division of the court)?
- The Dispute Resolution Specialist meets with each party individually and completes a mandatory mediation intake interview, and if appropriate, your case is sent to a Case Manager to schedule.
- The Case Manager sends the first mediation session date by e-mail, and the court sends automated text and e-mail reminders of scheduled mediation sessions.
- The Mediator meets with you and the other person together, and/or separately at times, to assist you in resolving key topics or issues.
- The Mediator schedules any follow-up mediation session with everyone at the end of the session. (please know your schedule)
- Mondays and Fridays between the hours of 9:00am-3:00pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays 9:00am-6:00pm, and Saturdays at 10:00am and 12:00pm.
- The Mediator keeps all discussions confidential except for any unreported allegations of abuse/neglect of children or threats of violence or bodily harm.
- The Mediator drafts an agreement based upon the topics parties agree upon.
Prepare for and participate in mediation?
- Contact the Family Program at Mediationintake [at] dcsc.gov or call 202-879-3180 to schedule a mandatory mediation intake interview. After all the parties to the case have completed the intake interview, you will be assigned a case manager to get you scheduled.
- Be prepared by bringing all key information and documents to the first session. Your case manager will help you decide what is needed. The mediation session lasts approximately 2 hours. Additional sessions may be available based upon the parties’ progress toward reaching agreement. When there is agreement, the mediator will draft a copy for your review.
- Parties are encouraged to have the written agreement reviewed by an attorney. Once signed, the agreement can be forwarded to the court.
Can I request an in-person mediation?
You may ask for an in-person mediation. All participants must agree to an in-person mediation. To make a request you must submit an Application to Appear In Person within 24 hours of receiving the mediation scheduling email sent by your case manager. The case manager will follow up with the requesting party(s) within 24 hours of the request.