Balancing Children’s Role in Custody Mediation

This presentation explores how family law attorneys and mediators can better incorporate children’s perspectives into child custody disputes through a modified child-inclusive mediation model. Drawing on research and current practices, it examines the legal framework governing child participation, outlines the steps of the child-inclusive approach, and offers guidance on when and how children’s input can be effectively and ethically integrated. Participants will gain practical tools for amplifying children’s voices in mediation while safeguarding their well-being.

Topics covered include:

Family Law Law Practice Negotiation & Mediation

Agenda:

Introductory Overview

Introduce program aims: increasing child-centered approaches in custody mediation
Brief summary of why children’s participation in mediation matters

Current Landscape: How Children Participate in Custody Disputes

Review existing avenues for children’s input (testimony, therapists, evaluations, in camera interviews, child advocates)
Limitations of traditional approaches
Overview of statutes, local rules, and common restrictions
Discussion of how mediation currently fits into the landscape

History and Research on Child Involvement in Mediation

Summary of rates regarding involvement of children in custody mediation
Discussion of how definitions of “involvement” vary among mediators
Discussion of variations among mediators regarding timing and participation of children in mediation
Why renewed attention to this issue is needed

The Child-Inclusive Mediation Model

Step-by-step explanation of the model
Roles of the mediator, specialist, and parents
How child input is gathered and communicated
Benefits compared to traditional mediation approaches

Framework for Integrating Children’s Input Ethically and Effectively

Ideal circumstances for using the model
Child readiness and developmental considerations
Parent readiness and safety concerns
Mediator training, neutrality, and trauma-informed practice
Variations and accommodations when ideal conditions are not met

Questions & Answers (as time permits)

Duration of this webinar: 60 minutes

Originally broadcast: March 4, 2026 10:00 AM PT

Recording Available Soon

Speaker

Stephanie Tang Associate Professor of Law
Baylor Law School

Professor Stephanie L. Tang is an Associate Professor of Law at Baylor Law School. Professor Tang teaches Family Law, Advanced Family Law, Children and the Law, and LARC 3: Persuasive Communication. Professor Tang is also the Director of the Baylor Law Family Law Clinic. Read More ›

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credits

*CLE credit is only available to Justia Connect Pros. Not a Pro? Upgrade today>>

Alaska CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

California CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

Hawaii CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

Illinois CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

Nevada CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

New Jersey CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.20 General

North Carolina CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

Ohio CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

Pennsylvania CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Substantive Law, Practice, and Procedure

Texas CLE

Status: Pending

Credits: TBD

Vermont CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

This presentation is approved for one hour of General CLE credit in Alaska, one hour of General CLE credit in California, one hour of General CLE credit in Hawaii, one hour of General CLE credit in Illinois, one hour of General CLE credit in Nevada, one hour of General CLE credit in North Carolina, one hour of General CLE credit in Ohio, one hour of Substantive Law, Practice, and Procedure CLE credit in Pennsylvania, and one hour of General CLE credit in Vermont. This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 1.20 hours of total CLE credit. An application for accreditation of this activity has been submitted to the MCLE Committee of the State Bar of Texas and is pending.

Justia only reports attendance in jurisdictions in which a particular Justia CLE Webinar is officially accredited. Lawyers may need to self-submit their certificates for CLE credit in jurisdictions not listed above.

Note that CLE credit, including partial credit, cannot be earned outside of the relevant accreditation period. To earn credit for a course, a lawyer must watch the entire course within the relevant accreditation period. Lawyers who have viewed a presentation multiple times may not be able to claim credit in their jurisdiction more than once. Justia reserves the right, at its discretion, to grant an attendee partial or no credit, in accordance with viewing duration and other methods of verifying course completion.

At this time, Justia only offers CLE courses officially accredited in certain states. Lawyers may generate a generic attendance certificate to self-submit credit in their own jurisdiction, but Justia does not guarantee that lawyers will receive their desired CLE credit through the self-submission or reciprocity process.

Watch Related Videos

CLE

Kellam T. Parks Parks Zeigler, PLLC

Family Law and Digital Evidence Preserving, Presenting, and Persuading

Watch Now

CLE

Anna Blood Blood Law, PLLC

Empowering Women in Family Law Strategies for Success

Watch Now