From The Law Office of Ryan Besinque - How Does the Court-Referred Mediation Program Work in New York City Family Court? explains how New York City Family Court may refer eligible custody and visitation cases to a voluntary, confidential mediation process. The discussion covers how the New York City Family Court Custody/Visitation Mediation Program accepts pending cases from Family Courts across the city, including Manhattan, and how a judge or referee can make a referral once both parties consent and the case passes screening. Listeners will hear how confidentiality applies under 22 NYCRR § 160.3, how courts continue to apply the best interests standard under Domestic Relations Law and Family Court Act § 651, and how a signed mediation agreement must still return to Family Court for review before it becomes an order.
The conversation also walks through who qualifies for the program, noting that eligible matters include custody and visitation petitions and certain child support terms addressed under Family Court Act § 413, while cases involving intimate partner violence, a severe power imbalance, or an order of protection are excluded from the NYC Custody/Visitation Mediation Program. Cases involving child abuse or neglect may instead be considered for the Child Permanency Mediation Program. The episode also describes the referral steps, from a judge or referee identifying a case for mediation through screening, assignment of a mediator, and the eventual return of unresolved issues to the court if no agreement is reached.
At The Law Office of Ryan Besinque, our New York City divorce lawyer represents Manhattan parents and spouses in custody, visitation, support, family offense, and divorce matters, and our NYC family law attorney helps clients compare mediation and arbitration when deciding how to resolve parenting or financial disputes. The description highlights Attorney Ryan Besinque’s background, including his Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego School of Law, the CALI Award for Family Law, and his service as President of the Phi Delta Phi Legal Honors Society, along with his work through the Manhattan Assigned Counsel Panel. The episode also touches on how privately retained mediation and Family Court litigation differ from court-referred mediation in cost, confidentiality, and control over outcomes.
Listeners will also learn what happens if mediation does not resolve a case, including how a partial agreement can narrow disputes before remaining issues return to the judge or referee, and how Family Court retains authority over custody and visitation to protect a child’s best interests even when arbitration is used for financial matters. The Law Office of Ryan Besinque can help clients prepare a proposed parenting plan, clarify proposed terms, and identify which issues might proceed to arbitration or remain for Family Court. Call The Law Office of Ryan Besinque at (929) 251-4477 to schedule a free consultation and learn whether court-referred mediation fits your case.
The Law Office of Ryan Besinque
115 W 25th St 4th floor, New York, NY 10001
(929) 251-4477
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