Family Law Mediation Attorney in Sacramento

Court-Connected Mediation vs. Private Mediation in Sacramento

Sacramento County Family Court Services offers two distinct court-connected processes for parties with an active family law case in the county. Understanding the difference helps you know what to expect and when private mediation may better serve your needs.

Confidential Mediation

In Confidential Mediation, a mediator works with both parties to reach a full agreement. No recommendation goes to the court unless both parties agree completely, and no court hearing is scheduled from this process alone. It’s also available without filing a Request for Order, making it accessible earlier in a dispute.

Child Custody Recommending Counseling (CCRC)

Child Custody Recommending Counseling works differently. If the parties reach only a partial agreement or none at all, the mediator submits recommendations to the court on the unresolved custody or visitation issues. Under California Family Code section 3170, courts are required to set contested custody or visitation matters for mediation, so most families encounter one of these two processes when custody is in dispute.

Private Family Law Mediation

Court-connected mediation through Family Court Services addresses custody and visitation only. When both parties want to resolve support, spousal support, and property division together in a single process, private family law mediation can cover all of those issues at once. Kaslan & Pike, LLP can serve as a consulting attorney during private mediation, providing independent legal counsel so you understand the implications of any proposed agreement before you sign.

Mediation for Post-Judgment Modifications & Extended-Family Disputes

A final judgment isn’t always the end of family law proceedings. Circumstances change, and California law provides structured paths to modify existing orders through mediation rather than full litigation.

When a custody or visitation order is already in place and a dispute arises, California Family Code section 3173 requires the court to set the matter for mediation no later than 60 days after the petition is filed. For petitions filed by a stepparent or grandparent seeking a visitation order, Family Code section 3171 similarly requires the court to refer the matter to mediation before a hearing.

In both situations, mediation can allow families to adjust parenting time, revisit support terms, or establish visitation arrangements without a new contested hearing. The process is generally less adversarial and gives the parties more control over the outcome than leaving decisions to a judge. Whether you’re seeking a modification or responding to one, understanding how mediation fits into the process is an important part of building your strategy.