Q: I'm being sued for custody and a 730 on my 17 yr old.He didn't show for mediation.How will that affect the hearing?
I won sole legal and physical custody in 2012 of my then 11 and 13 yr olds. Father got court supervised visits which he attended 3. We heard nothing from him until he served me for custody in Oct 2016. The girls had not seen or heard from him in 4 1/2 yrs. He asked for a 730 and it was not granted. In July of this year, he served me again for the remaining minor child. She will be 17 next month. He now has an attorney, which he had not before. I do not plan to have an attorney this time. He is claiming I coached the children about the abuse, the same thing he has been saying. The courts and mediators have not agreed. He did not show up for mediation. Our hearing is in a couple weeks. I'm wondering if the judge will order mediation or proceed without it. I'm in California. Thank you.
A: Mediation is a typical first step in CA custody cases. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney such as myself. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and media appearances/ publications on my law practice website, www.AEesq.com. I practice law in CA, NY, MA, and DC in the following areas of law: Business & Contracts, Criminal Defense, Divorce & Child Custody, and Education Law. This answer does not constitute legal advice; make any predictions, guarantees, or warranties; or create any Attorney-Client relationship.
Joseph Torri agrees with this answer
A: Mediation is usually required prior to making orders or modifying orders. I suspect the judge will order the parties to attend mediation. Anything is technically possible, but mediation sounds appropriate prior to orders being made. Since the child is 17, I think that is an important fact. More facts are required to provide a thorough analysis.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
