Custody Mediation in North Carolina
Quick answer: What is custody mediation in North Carolina? It’s a guided, confidential meeting where parents try to settle legal and physical custody and a parenting schedule with a neutral mediator. Many NC courts require an orientation and mediation session before a custody trial unless there’s an exemption (for example, certain domestic-violence situations or good cause). If you agree, the terms are written into a Parenting Agreement/Consent Order a judge can sign.
Settle smart and protect your child. We prepare you with the right records, realistic options, and agency-ready language so your agreement works at school, with doctors, and in daily life.
Your North Carolina Custody Mediation Lawyer
Krispen Culbertson, North Carolina family lawyer with 20+ years preparing parents for court-ordered and private mediation: factor-based proposals, realistic schedules, and consent orders schools and doctors will follow.
Memberships: North Carolina State Bar; local family law sections. Courts: District Court calendars statewide with regular hearings in Guilford County.
Start by situation
Fast answers
Is mediation required? Many NC District Courts require orientation and mediation before a custody trial unless exempt for safety or good cause. We confirm local rules and deadlines.
What makes a good proposal? Child-focused details: school bells, travel time, exchanges, decision-making rules, and holidays—tied to the best interests factors.
Does the mediator decide? No. The mediator helps you agree. Only a judge can sign an enforceable order.
Is it confidential? Generally yes—offers in mediation aren’t used as evidence at trial. We keep communications clean and focused.
Court orientation and required mediation
After a custody case is filed, many counties schedule a parent orientation and a session with a court mediator. You’ll be asked to try settlement before any trial. We track your dates, prepare you for the session, and handle exemptions when appropriate.
Private mediation vs. the court program
Court program: no fee or low fee, one mediator, limited time. Private mediation: you choose the mediator, book more time, and add attorneys in the room (or breakout). We help you pick what fits your case and budget.
How to prepare and what to bring
- Proposed weekly schedule tied to bell times, activities, and work shifts
- Holiday and summer rotation options
- Decision-making plan (joint, tie-breaker, notice windows)
- Exchange rules: locations, windows, travel, make-up time
- Childcare, medical, and school details that affect the plan
Using school and medical records correctly
We rely on neutral records—attendance, grades, pediatric notes, counseling summaries—to keep the focus on the child. Releases are narrow and orders tell agencies exactly what to share and to whom.
Write a consent order that works
When you settle, we convert the deal into a Consent Order: clear wording for decision-making, school pick-up, travel, and healthcare. The goal is an order agencies can follow without confusion.
Domestic-violence safety and exemptions
If there’s a 50B protective order or safety concerns, we request shuttle or separate-room mediation—or an exemption when appropriate. Your plan should protect safety and privacy.
Zoom/virtual mediation
Virtual sessions save travel and reduce conflict. We set up private attorney channels, organize exhibits, and keep the day moving with scheduled breaks.
If there’s impasse
If you don’t settle, we refine issues for the judge, request a short temporary order if needed, and move to hearing with clean evidence. Many cases settle later with a tighter scope.
What to bring and your first 72 hours
Documents checklist
- Current order(s), temporary schedules, and any mediation notices
- School attendance/grades, activity calendars, and bell times
- Pediatric/counseling summaries and necessary releases
- Work schedules, childcare plans, travel time to school
Your first 72 hours with our team
1) Factor map
Safety, stability, caregiving, and school fit.
2) Proposal set
Week schedule, holidays, decision-making, exchanges.
3) Evidence packet
Neutral records, targeted releases, privacy limits.
4) Mediation day plan
Offers, fallbacks, and order language ready.
5) Paper it right
Consent order schools and doctors will follow.
FAQs
Is custody mediation mandatory in North Carolina?
Do I need a lawyer at mediation?
What happens if we reach agreement?
Will the mediator tell the judge what I said?
Can mediation work in high-conflict cases?
Why North Carolina families choose Culbertson & Associates
- 20+ years resolving custody through mediation and consent orders
- Agency-ready language schools and doctors can implement
- Child-focused proposals that reduce conflict
- Settlement-first; trial-ready if needed
Client reviews
C. Harris — “Krispen prepped me with a schedule tied to school bells and exchanges. We settled in one session and the order works.”
M. Patel — “The mediation plan was practical and child-focused. Teachers and our pediatrician understood the order immediately.”
J. Thomas — “Mr. Culbertson handled safety concerns with shuttle mediation. Calm, steady, and effective.”
S. Nguyen — “We chose private mediation with both lawyers. Clear proposals, no drama, and a clean consent order.”
L. Rivera — “Culbertson and Associates kept it about the child. The routine is stable now and conflicts dropped.”
D. Brooks — “When we hit impasse they narrowed issues for court. The judge appreciated the clarity.”
Visit Our Greensboro Office
Culbertson & Associates
315 Spring Garden St Ste #300, Greensboro, NC 27401
(336) 272-4299 • culbertsonatlaw.com
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:00 PM • Area served: North Carolina
Related resources: North Carolina Child Custody
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