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Visitation Mediation Program

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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT FOR THE STATE OF ALASKA

AT

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)
)
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CASE NO.

MOTION FOR MEDIATION THROUGH

CHILD CUSTODY & VISITATION MEDIATION PROGRAM

This motion is filed by (check one) Mother Father Both parties

I ask the court to order the parties to participate in mediation through the Child Custody and Visitation Mediation Program. In support of this request, I state as follows:

1. The parties have at least one minor child and cannot agree on custody or visitation.

2. I understand that Alaska law restricts the court's ability to order mediation if domestic violence has occurred between the parties. I certify that:

a. There is no domestic violence protective order currently in effect (no Alaska court order and no order issued in another state and filed in Alaska).

b. In addition, one of the following is true (check one):

No domestic violence has occurred between the parties.

Domestic violence has occurred between the parties, but mediation should still be permitted because it is requested by the victim and the victim is signing this motion.

3. I understand that the parties' combined net annual income must be less than $100,000 in order to participate in the program.

Mother's net annual income: $

Father's net annual income: $

(The above amounts should be the same as the “NET INCOME” amounts in the parties' Child Support Guidelines Affidavits. Estimate the other party's net annual income if that party has not filed an affidavit and the information is not otherwise available.)

The party requesting mediation must sign below. If both parties are requesting mediation, then both parties must sign. If domestic violence has occurred between the parties, the court cannot order mediation unless the victim agrees (by signing this motion, by filing a response agreeing to mediation, or by agreeing at a hearing).

Date

Signature

Print Name Daytime Phone

Mailing Address

City State ZIP

Date

Signature

Print Name Daytime Phone

Mailing Address

City State ZIP

If Motion Is Signed By Only One Party

If this motion is signed by only one party, the party who signs it must mail a copy of the motion to the other party. If the other party is represented by an attorney, the copy must be mailed to the attorney instead of to the party. The party who signs the motion must complete the following certificate so the court knows that the other party has been sent a copy.

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that on a copy of this motion was mailed to (print name of party or attorney):

Signature:

Notice to Party Not Signing Motion

You have a right to respond to this motion. Your response must be filed with the court and a copy mailed to the other party no later than ten days from the date shown in the above certificate of service. Your response must state whether you agree to mediation or do not agree. If you do not agree, describe why you believe mediation is not appropriate. Include the case number in your response. A response form (DR-406) is available from the court. If you fail to file a response, the court may grant the request for mediation and schedule a mediation session.

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What the Visitation Mediation Program Is

The Visitation Mediation Program is a structured process for parents or guardians to negotiate child visitation and parenting-time agreements with the help of a neutral mediator. It typically produces a written mediation agreement or parenting plan that records dates, times, transportation arrangements, holiday schedules, and communication protocols. The program emphasizes voluntary resolution, confidentiality in mediation communications, and the mediator's role as a facilitator rather than a decision-maker. Completed agreements may be submitted to family court for incorporation into an order, depending on local rules and the parties' preferences.

Why Use a Visitation Mediation Program

Mediation reduces adversarial conflict, preserves parental control over schedules, and produces tailored parenting-time arrangements faster and with lower cost than contested litigation.

Why Use a Visitation Mediation Program

Who Typically Participates in Visitation Mediation

The program is used by parents, guardians, family law attorneys, court referral programs, and social service agencies seeking negotiated visitation plans.

  • Parents and guardians seeking a workable parenting schedule without court litigation.
  • Family law attorneys representing clients who prefer negotiated settlements.
  • Courts and child welfare agencies referring cases for expedited resolution.

Participation can be voluntary or court-ordered; mediators follow professional standards and local court rules when drafting agreements.

Typical Signatories

Parent / Guardian

An adult with legal parental responsibilities who must sign to show agreement to parenting-time terms and contact protocols; signatures establish intent and attribution for enforcement purposes.

Mediator / Program Director

A neutral professional who confirms the mediation process, dates the agreement, and may sign an attestation about the parties' voluntary participation and understanding of terms.

Step-by-Step: Completing the Mediation Agreement

Follow this sequence to create a clear, enforceable visitation agreement.

  • 01
    Prepare: Collect IDs, child DOBs, any prior court orders before mediation.
  • 02
    Negotiate: Discuss schedules, exchanges, holidays, and special needs with mediator.
  • 03
    Draft: Mediator or parties draft the written parenting-time agreement.
  • 04
    Sign: All parties sign and date; notarize or submit to court if required.

Typical Workflow for the Visitation Mediation Program

A standard mediation workflow moves from intake through agreement and optional court filing.

  • Intake: Complete intake form with contact and case details.
  • Session Scheduling: Book an in-person or virtual mediation session.
  • Mediation Session: Parties meet with mediator, negotiate, and document terms.
  • Finalization: Prepare signed agreement; file with court if desired.

Digital Setup for Online Completion

Configure a repeatable digital workflow to collect signatures and retain an audit trail.

Field Configuration
Authentication Email plus optional SMS code for signer verification
Templates Create reusable mediation agreement templates with conditional fields
Notifications Automate reminders and confirmation emails to participants
Recordkeeping Store executed agreements with immutable audit trails

Technical Requirements for eSubmission and Signing

Use a platform that supports secure e-signatures, audit trails, and optional notarization for remote or in-person signing.

  • Document Formats: PDF and DOCX accepted
  • Authentication Options: Email link, SMS code, or advanced ID proofing
  • Integrations: Works with case management and cloud storage systems

Ensure the chosen platform supports ESIGN/UETA compliance, offers secure storage, and provides the audit trail required by courts or agencies.

Security and Compliance Essentials

Encryption In Transit: TLS 1.2/1.3
Encryption At Rest: AES-256
ESIGN / UETA: Compliant with electronic signature laws
HIPAA: Requires BAA for PHI
Audit Trail: Timestamp, IP, action log
Certifications: SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Vague schedule language that creates ambiguity later.
  • Missing signatures, dates, or inconsistent names across documents.
  • Skipping notarization where local rules expect it for court filing.
  • Insufficient authentication for electronic signers leading to admissibility issues.

Consequences of Errors or Omissions

Enforceability Risk: Court may decline to adopt vague terms
Delay: Litigation or refiling required
Financial Cost: Additional attorney fees
Child Impact: Disrupted parenting schedule
Data Privacy: Potential HIPAA or confidentiality breach
Filing Rejection: Clerks may reject improper submissions

Timing Considerations and Typical Deadlines

Timing varies by jurisdiction and whether the agreement will be filed or incorporated into a court order.

Mediation Scheduling:

Often booked within 2–6 weeks of referral

Agreement Finalization:

Usually completed the day of mediation

Court Filing:

Depends on local docket; allow 1–6 weeks

Notarization Window:

Complete signatures and notarization before filing

Modification Requests:

Allow 30–60 days for review and consent

Key Milestones from Intake to Final Order

A typical case moves through these numbered milestones toward a final agreement or court order.

01

1. Intake and Eligibility

Screen parties and schedule mediation session.

02

2. Pre-Mediation Preparation

Exchange documents and propose initial schedules.

03

3. Mediation Session

Negotiate terms with neutral mediator facilitation.

04

4. Drafting and Signing

Prepare written agreement and obtain signatures.

How a Mediation Agreement Differs from a Court Order

Compare key attributes to decide whether to mediate, draft a parenting plan, or pursue a court order.

Criteria Mediation Agreement Court Order
Formality less formal more formal
Enforceability contract-based court-enforceable
Modification requires consent court motion required
Filing optional required

eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison

Choose an eSignature provider based on per-user costs, feature needs like bulk send or HIPAA compliance, and whether envelope caps apply.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Illustrative Use Cases for Visitation Mediation

Realistic scenarios show how mediation agreements resolve scheduling, travel, and school-related issues without court proceedings.

Family Scheduling Case

A working parent needed a reliable weekend schedule

  • Mediator proposed alternating weekends plus weekly video calls
  • The written agreement reduced missed visits and eliminated repeated court hearings by clarifying pickup points, holiday rotation, and notification protocols.

Travel and Holidays Case

Parents disagreed on holiday custody and out-of-state travel

  • Parties negotiated supervised holiday splits and travel notice requirements
  • The signed plan specified travel consent procedures, emergency contacts, and enforcement language, preventing later disputes and costly motions.

Practical Tips for a Clear and Enforceable Agreement

Use plain language, concrete times and locations, and include contingency plans for conflicts or emergencies.

Use precise schedules
Specify days, start/end times, time zones, and exact pickup/drop-off locations to avoid ambiguity during enforcement.
Document transportation
Assign transport duties and outline procedures for delays, missed pickups, and last-minute changes.
Clarify decision-making
State how school, medical, and extracurricular decisions will be made and who has final authority on specific topics.
Include modification process
Add a clear process for future changes, including notice periods and whether modifications require mediator or court approval.

Frequently Asked Questions about Visitation Mediation

Answers to common procedural and legal questions help parties and practitioners avoid delays and ensure enforceable outcomes.


Need help? Contact support

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