25-4-56. Custody and visitation disputes--Mediation order--Exceptions--Investigation--Allocation of costs.
136 words·~1 min read·
/sd/title-25/chapter-25-4/25-4-56·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
In any custody or visitation dispute between parents, the court shall order mediation to assist the parties in formulating or modifying a plan, or in implementing a plan, for custody or visitation and shall allocate the cost of the mediation between the parties. However, mediation shall not be ordered if:
(1)One of the parents has been convicted of domestic abuse as defined in subdivision 25-10-1(1); or
(2)One of the parents has been convicted of assault against a person as defined in subdivision 25-10-1(2), except against any person related by consanguinity, but not living in the same household; or
(3)One of the parents has a history of domestic abuse; or
(4)Mediation is not readily available or the court determines that mediation is not appropriate based on the facts and circumstances of the case.