<< Return to Homepage

Douglas County Conciliation and Mediation Services
Hall of Justice
1701 Farnam Street, 1st Floor
Omaha, NE 68183
(402) 444-7168

Parenting Plan Mediation

What is mediation and how does it apply to Parenting Plans?

Mediation of a Parenting Plan involves a structured discussion between the mother and father of the child/ren and a third party neutral person (who has received the state required training in mediation, is impartial and is not representing either of the parties) who facilitates discussion of the terms the parents will include in their Parenting Plan. This is a confidential process, and the mediator by law may not testify in court, nor reveal any of the discussion that went on during the mediation session other than the terms agreed upon and a general reference to items that may remain at issue between the parents.

According to the Parenting Act enacted by the Nebraska State Legislature in 1994, to qualify as a mediator in family matters a person must have a minimum of thirty hours of basic mediation training, thirty hours of family mediation training, and shall have served as an apprentice to an experienced mediator. The mediator is also required to have general knowledge of Nebraska family law regarding custody, visitation and general issues pertaining to children and other knowledge defined in the Parenting Act. (Parenting Act-Neb.Rev.Stat.43-2913 (1998)

In Douglas County a Family Mediator must meet all these requirements, and must be approved by the Mediation Committee of the District Court as required in Local Rule 4.3D. The parents are charged for mediation services on a sliding fee scale according to the needs of the parties. If you have special financial needs, please be sure either you or your attorneys advise us before we assign a mediator to your case.

A mediator may offer information to the parents, but may not give legal advice, and will set the structure and basic rules for fairness and constructive communications in the session. For example, bad language, and abusive behavior will not be tolerated, nor is one person permitted to dominate the discussion, forcing conditions and/or terms to be included in the plan without the other person having the right to discuss and disagree.

Should you have further questions about the mediation process please call 444-7168; it is helpful if you leave a message to include the docket and page number of your case along with your phone number.

Douglas County Home | About DC | Departments | Services Frequently Asked Questions | Feedback © Copyright 2005, Douglas County, Nebraska Disclaimer