Court after mediation????

[ImStellaa19]

What is the name of your state? California
To make along story short,I have this friend and he is trying to get visitation rights for his 7 month old daughter, he has already gone to a mediation meeting he thought everything went alright than he received a letter from his ex's attorney saying she did'nt agree with it. So now they have to go to court next week.

Should he get a attorney to represent him or could he represent himself, she is really making things hard for him just to see his daughter, Also does the judge go along with want the mediator suggested, as far as the visitation days????

????? please some suggestions

 

[tcpmp]

Should he get an attorney to represent him or could he represent himself

Although an attorney is the best route it isn't always possible financially. If he can afford it get one.

she is really making things hard for him just to see his daughter

Document everything and tell him to keep it civil. Don't do anything foolish and dirty.

Also does the judge go along with want the mediator suggested, as far as the visitation days

Is the mediator a court appointed mediator? I lived in California and went through mediation and my mediator was court appointed. If the courts allowed every case to be argued in front of the judge custody trials would last forever. The courts appoint a highly trained mediator to help the parents come to an agreement. They also analyze the situation and determine what is in the best interest of the child and present it to the judge to make a ruling. Although the mediator doesn't make the actual decision their input is held in high regard.

 

[karma1]

In every case I have seen personally, in CA...

the judge will go by mediators rec's-however, in cases that had "disputes" with the mediators rec's, the judge appointed an attorney for the child or gave the parties time to get counsel if pro se (judge still went by rec's though in the end).
Let me refer you to this site
www.deltabravo.net
and read everything on there including CA specific information.
Good luck!