TITLE 9. CIVIL CODE ANCILLARIES

CODE BOOK I--OF PERSONS

CODE TITLE V--DIVORCE

CHAPTER 1. DIVORCE

PART III. CHILD CUSTODY

SUBPART A. EVALUATION AND MEDIATION

9:332      Custody or visitation proceeding;  mediation

A. The court may order the parties to mediate their differences in a custody or visitation proceeding.  The mediator may be agreed upon by the parties or, upon their failure to agree, selected by the court.  The court may stay any further determination of custody or visitation for a period not to exceed thirty days from the date of issuance of such an order.  The court may order the costs of mediation to be paid in advance by either party or both parties jointly.  The court may apportion the costs of the mediation between the parties if agreement is reached on custody or visitation.  If mediation concludes without agreement between the parties, the costs of mediation shall be taxed as costs of court.  The costs of mediation shall be subject to approval by the court.

B. If an agreement is reached by the parties, the mediator shall prepare a written, signed, and dated agreement.  A consent judgment incorporating the agreement shall be submitted to the court for its approval.

C. Evidence of conduct or statements made in mediation is not admissible in any proceeding.  This rule does not require the exclusion of any evidence otherwise discoverable merely because it is presented in the course of mediation.  Facts disclosed, other than conduct or statements made in mediation, are not inadmissible by virtue of first having been disclosed in mediation.

Acts 1993, No. 261, § 5, eff. Jan. 1, 1994.