Family Services

The Mediation Center provides Family Mediation and Family Visitation Programs. Scroll down to read about the Family Visitation Program.

Family Mediation Program

Mediation is a productive way to discuss family conflicts and disagreements in a safe and structured environment. A neutral mediator will assist you in exploring possible alternatives and solutions. Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process.  All parties must agree to participate in order for mediation to be scheduled. Issues discussed in mediation may include:

• Separation/Divorce: Discussions about living arrangements, children, child support, assets, debts and property.
• Parenting Plans: Creating or modifying agreements regarding your child's best interests.
• Couples: Discussions surrounding communication, parenting styles, financial issues and household issues.
• Adult Child/Elder Parent: Discussions about living arrangements, medical care and associated transitions.

Preparing for Mediation

•    Please arrive at the mediation center 15 minutes prior to your session to complete the paperwork. 

•    Bring any pertinent information. If you plan to discuss child or spousal support, please bring proof of your income, health insurance statements and child care expenses.

•     If you plan to discuss the distribution of assets and liabilities, please bring any relevant statements including home and business appraisals, savings account statements, investment statements, and credit card bills.

•    The Mediation Center charges a fee for our family mediation clients based on a sliding scale.  Please see the attached sliding scale and come prepared to pay the appropriate amount with cash, check or credit card.

The Mediation Process

Mediation is a voluntary negotiation process that allows participants to discuss the decisions facing them and negotiate agreements that are acceptable to all parties. Participants are assisted in their discussions by a neutral third person called a mediator.

•    All decisions reached in mediation are made by the participants according to what they think is appropriate.

•    Mediation sessions last no longer than two hours.

•    Our mediation sessions include only the parties involved.  There are no lawyers present unless the parties agree on that in advance.

•    Please do not bring children to the mediation session.

The Memorandum of Understanding or Mediation Notes

During the mediation session, you will make agreements with the other party.  Those agreements will be written up and sent out to you after the mediation session.  Those mediation notes, or Memorandum of Understanding, may be used to guide you in the future and an attorney may use them to develop the court order, but they are not a legally binding document.

For more information or to schedule an appointment for Family Mediation, please contact Sara Bensman at sarab@mediatebuncombe.org or call 251-6089 ext 17

Family Visitation Program

The Family Visitation Program provides supervised visits and monitored exchange services for families with a history of domestic violence, substance abuse, mental health concerns or high conflict custody disputes.

We provide a safe and comfortable place for parents and children to build positive relationships.

Families must have a court order or other signed agreement to use visitation or exchange services.

Supervised visits take place at 4pm, 5pm and 6pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.  Families must complete an intake appointment to reserve a time.

Monitored exchanges are available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 4pm to 7pm, on Fridays at 5pm, and Sundays between 4:30 and 5:30pm.

Intake appointments take place on Mondays only between 1pm and 6pm.  All parties must complete and intake appointment before using visit or exchange services.  Services are not available last minute.

For further information about the
Family Visitation  program, contact Leigh Kopicki at 828-251-6089 ext 19 or leighk@mediatebuncombe.org

CERTIFICATION FOR FAMILY MEDIATORS

For information about becoming a certified family mediator, visit the NC Courts website and view the guidelines.

OR

For information about becoming a family mediator with certification through the Association of Conflict Resolution, visit the ACR website.