Family Court Child Custody & Visitation Mediation
In the mediation process, a third party impartial mediator who has been trained in the special aspects of custody and visitation issues helps the parties to work through their issues with a focus on the best interest of their child/ren.
Areas covered may include resolution of custody, visitation and parenting schedules, transportation, holidays and special events, special needs, health issues, educational concerns, etc. With the mediator, the parties explore solutions and develop a workable plan for the future.
Matters may be referred from the Family Court Judge/s or parents may request mediation. There is no cost to participants.
Available in the following counties: Cayuga, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne and Yates
Supreme Court Child Custody & Visitation Mediation
The Center for Dispute Settlement has the first Supreme Court Custody/Visitation Mediation program instituted in New York State.
The Center accepts cases for mediation through referrals from Supreme Court Justices and matrimonial referees. These cases are for individuals (parties) who are involved in the divorce process.
CDS meets with the parties to schedule the mediation to set up a parenting plan that will work for the couple as they are forming their new lives. There is no cost for participants.
Available in the following counties: Western New York’s Seventh Judicial District Supreme Court including Cayuga, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne and Yates counties
CDS offices: CDS Satellite Office in the Monroe County Hall of Justice, Matrimonial Screening Section and in our Ontario and Yates offices.
Contact: Donna Durbin at ddurbin@courts.state.ny.us
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Juvenile mediation is for young people ages 8-20 that are in conflict with a parent, neighbors, friends, property owners or school.
Youth and other appropriate adults (also known as Parties) are individually/or jointly interviewed by staff, reach agreement on the issues to be discussed, and sign a form agreeing to mediate. Experienced mediators are assigned to help parties reach a written resolution. Any settlement reached results from a mediation session attended by all parties involved and reflects an agreed upon, workable, future oriented, solution to the problem(s).
Available in the following counties: Western New York’s Seventh Judicial District Supreme Court including Cayuga, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne and Yates counties
Contacts by county:
- Monroe County, Paula Bramwell at pbramwell@courts.state.ny.us
- Livingston County, Laura Shultz at lschultz@cdsadr.org
- Wayne County, Kelly Porter at kporter@cdsadr.org
- Yates County, Michelle Urbina at murbina@cdsadr.org
- Ontario County, Ingrid Berggren at iberggren@cdsadr.org
- Steuben County, Ron Beuter at rbeuter@cdsadr.org
- Cayuga/Seneca Counties, Pat Levin at plevin@cdsadr.org
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Mediation services for parties initiating a separation or divorce, who wish to maintain control over the decisions that must be made for their future and the future of their children. They may decide to resolve real property, custody and visitation, support, personal/marital property and debts of the marriage.
The process begins with an intake interview during which the divorce mediation is explained. An agreement called a “Memorandum of Understanding” may be developed and incorporated into the party’s separation/divorce documents.
There is an hourly rate to participate in this program.
Available in the following counties: Cayuga, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne and Yates
Contact: Donna Durbin at ddurbin@cdsadr.org
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Divorce Arbitration: Supreme Court Program
These arbitration services are for individuals parties concerned with the distribution of property, debts or other related issues from a divorce or partnership arrangement.
Referrals are received from the NYS Supreme Court or on a walk-in basis.
The parties each sign a "Submission to Arbitration" form and review Article 75 of the Civil Practice Laws and Rules relating to arbitration with a staff member.
There is an hourly rate to participate in this program.
Available in the following counties: Western New York’s Seventh Judicial District Supreme Court including Cayuga, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne and Yates counties
Contact: Donna Durbin at ddurbin@cdsadr.org
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A program for parents and children (age 7 - 21) who are referred by school, probation, or other human services agency (or who contact CDS on their own).
Parent/Child Mediation may be part of a Persons In Need of Supervision (PINS) diversion or a response to increased tension in the home. Parents and children attend a joint intake session where, together, they decide on the issues they will explore in mediation. All parties are encouraged to participate, to add their issues to be resolved, and all treated as equals at the table.
Issues may include:
- Truancy
- Behavior problems
- Loss of respect and cooperation
- Alcohol, smoking and drug use
- Family rules including curfews
- Anything else that the family decides to negotiate.
Depending on the number of issues to be resolved, the mediation may take from 1-4 sessions. Families often include a specific time in their agreement to return to mediation and review their agreement, celebrate successes and make any changes they feel are necessary
Available in the following counties: Cayuga, Livingston, Monroe and Steuben
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Surrogate’s Court: Wills and Estates Mediation
The Center for Dispute Settlement developed the first Surrogate’s Court mediation program in New York State in 2005.
CDS accepts cases for mediation through referrals from the Surrogate’s Court Judge. The program assists families to settle disputes with regard to issues surrounding the loss of a loved one.
There is no cost to participants.
Available in the following county: Monroe
Contact: Donna Durbin at ddurbin@courts.state.ny.us
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