The CCS is a department of the Court for families experiencing marital stress or divorce. Informati

on, counseling, mediation, and court-ordered evaluation services are available to help families find solutions to relationship problems.

Counseling can help couples learn to have a better marriage. If a decision is made to divorce, counseling can also help couples separate with understanding. Mediation can help parents plan for their children's lives following divorce.

Conciliation Mediation

Our staff provides conciliation mediation to those couples who are considering reconciliation. This service is available for couples who have a divorce pending but would like to explore the option of reconciliation; as well as for those couples who may be considering filing for a divorce, but who would like to first explore options which might save their marriage. Couples are seen together. Options and steps to assist the couple in considering or trying reconciliation are negotiated with the assistance of a neutral third person. The Mediation Center does not provide marriage therapy, but may assist couples in identifying whether they want to seek such services and in negotiating details regarding such services. Conciliation mediation sessions are confidential. There is no fee for the service.

Divorce Mediation
Divorce Mediation is a process whereby parents, with the assistance of a neutral mediator, attempt to reach an agreement regarding living arrangements for their children. If the parties are going through a divorce, been divorced, or are a parent who has never been married, mediation services are available to attempt to resolve a child custody/parenting time dispute. Both parents will meet with a professional mediator. In the session, each parent will be allowed time to express themselves and their needs. Mediation may require several sessions in order to reach an agreement on the issues. The mediator does not make decisions or give legal advice. The parties themselves are responsible for coming to an agreement. Mediation sessions are confidential and there is no fee for the service.

Parent Education
In accordance with a mandate from the Arizona Supreme Court, the Parent Education Program was developed to provide parents information about the mediation process and the effects of divorce, or separation, on children and families. This four (4) hour class covers topics such as custody and parenting time options, adult issues regarding divorce and separation, the developmental stages of children and how each stage is affected, and domestic violence and the effect it has on the family unit. In most cases, Parent Education is mandatory for all parties of a divorce or paternity action in Arizona; however, anyone can contact Conciliation Court Services and arrange to attend a class. There is a $50.00 fee for this class.

The Visitation Assistance Program for the Superior Court of Mohave County was created to provide assistance in the exchange of children for parenting time (visitation.)
The Visitation Assistance Program provides a neutral locations at which trained staff of the Office of Conciliation Court Services are available on-site to monitor exchanges.
No appointments are necessary but participants must register in advance.
The Visitation Assistance Program operates on Monday through Friday during normal business hours 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Small Claims or Civil Mediation is a process whereby parties of a civil or small claims case, with the assistance of a neutral, third party mediator, attempt to reach a mutually acceptable settlement of their differences by defining the issue and utilizing the communication process. The mediator is not a judge and will not decide the outcome of the dispute. The mediator may offer suggestions and help develop options to resolve issues, but solely the participants make the final agreement. Mediation is confidential. The judge will be informed only of whether an agreement was reached. No rights to seek resolution in the legal system are forfeited if an agreement is not reached. There is no fee for the service and parties can contact the Justice Court in their area for details.

Parenting Coordinator

The Parenting Coordinator (formally known as the Special Master) program was developed for those cases in which one or both parents are not meeting the court ordered items concerning the minor child(ren). The court, on its own initiative, or as result of a petition by one of the parents, can assign a case to the Parenting Coordinator who will then meet with the parents and work with them, primarily through facilitation, to aid their reaching an agreement on how they will meet the terms of the court order. The Parenting Coordinator may, on his/her own initiative, make minor temporary changes to the terms of the agreement in order to assure the welfare of the child(ren). Cases may be assigned to the Special Master for an extended period of time to allow for resolution. If the parents are unable to reach resolution, the Parenting Coordinator will make recommendations to the Court for resolution of the problem. The overall aim is to assist parents and the Superior Court in resolving disputes and issues of non-compliance with parent-child access orders, child support orders, spousal maintenance, and medical insurance coverage. There is no fee for this service.

Dependency Case Facilitation

The Dependency Case Facilitation program was developed as part of the Model Court/Court Improvement Project through the Arizona Supreme Court. This program utilizes a Family Counselor/Mediator as the facilitator and/or mediator in para-judicial conferences involving families who are in the process of dependency proceedings. The Counselor/Mediator is responsible for assisting all parties of the dependency action in proceedings and in identifying their roles and responsibilities in relation to the goals and requirements set forth in the action by the Court and other contributing agencies. Cases are referred to the Counselor/ Mediator by the Court. There is no fee for this service.

Custody Evaluator

A child custody evaluation is a Court ordered report written by a neutral professional about parents and their child(ren). The report summarizes each parent’s ideas about what would be best for the child(ren) and looks at the information from teachers, doctors and other people who have had contact with the child(ren). A recommendation is made in the report as to what custody and parenting time plan would be best for the child(ren). The judicial officer and the attorney’s for each parent receive this report. The goal of a child custody evaluation is to provide the Court and the parties with objective information and recommendations about a family to assist the Court in issuing orders in highly contested custody disputes. In formulating a recommendation, the evaluator analyzes the family dynamic as they affect the child(ren), and searches for a solution that serves the best interest of the child(ren).