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HomeFamily CodeDiv. 20Pt. 1Ch. 2§ 20019 Child Custody Mediation Requirement

§ 20019 Child Custody Mediation Requirement

Family Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 20019 Child Custody Mediation Requirement

This law says that if parents argue about who gets to take care of their kid or when they can visit, the court will send them to mediation first. Mediation is like a meeting with a helper to try and work things out before a judge decides.

Key Takeaways

  • •If parents fight over who gets the kids or visitation, they have to try mediation first.
  • •Mediation doesn’t stop the court from making temporary orders for things like child support.
  • •If mediation doesn’t work, there will be another court hearing to decide custody and visitation.
  • •The court can delay things only if there’s a really good reason.

Example

Mom and Dad are fighting over who their 8-year-old daughter should live with after they split up.

The court will tell them to go to mediation to try and agree on a plan. While they do that, the court can still make temporary rules about things like child support. If they can't agree in mediation, they'll have another court hearing to let a judge decide.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 20019 Child Custody Mediation Requirement

Where it appears from a party’s application for an order under this chapter or otherwise in the proceedings that the custody of, or visitation with, a minor child is contested, the court shall set those issues for mediation pursuant to Section 3170. The pendency of the mediation proceedings shall not delay a hearing on any other matter for which a temporary order is required, including child support, and a separate hearing, if required, shall be scheduled respecting the custody and visitation issues following mediation in accordance with Section 3170. However, the court may grant a continuance for good cause shown. (Added by Stats. 1993, Ch. 219, Sec. 210. Effective January 1, 1994.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

custodyvisitationmediationSection 3170temporary orderchild supportcontinuancegood cause

Related Statutes

  • § 3011 Child Custody Best Interests
  • § 4012 Child Support Security Orders
  • § 20000 Child Spousal Support System
  • § 3173 Custody Mediation Petition Process
  • § 1612 Premarital Property Rights Agreement

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Family Code. Section 20019.
View Official Source