Let’s face it, co-parenting after a breakup can be hard. Emotions run high, schedules clash, and suddenly you’re arguing over everything from pickup times to school projects. While court might sound like the only way to sort it all out, there’s a less combative and more constructive option available in Pima County: mediation through the Conciliation Court.
Conciliation Court is not traditional court. For example, there’s no courtroom, no lawyers, and no judges. It’s less litigation and more mediation. It is a structured and confidential conversation, with a trained, neutral expert helping both parents focus on what matters: the kids.
The FCCC provides free mediation services to help separated or divorced parents discuss and hopefully resolve legal decision-making (formerly “custody”) and parenting time disagreements. That’s right, free. It’s genuinely no-cost, professional, and available in multiple languages, including Spanish.
Here’s the deal: if you and the other parent can’t agree on parenting issues, you can ask the court to send you to mediation with the conciliation court. If both parents agree to go to mediation, the court will generally order it without question. If one parent asks to go but the other parent objects, the court may look to see when the last parenting order was entered; if a parenting order was never entered or the last order was entered more than one year ago, then the court will likely order the parties to go to mediation. Similarly, if you file to establish or modify a parenting order, the court will very likely order you to go to mediation first. Mediation isn’t a punishment. It’s a chance to skip the courtroom entirely and build a solution that works for your family, your way.
Before the session, both parents go through a screening process. This is to make sure everything is safe and respectful, especially if there’s a history of domestic violence, intimidation, or power imbalance. They take safety seriously.
Since approximately 2020, the majority of Conciliation Court mediation is done by telephone. Once the session begins, the mediator guides the conversation. They’re not there to tell you who’s right or wrong, and they don’t make decisions for you. Their job is to help you communicate clearly, manage emotions, and hopefully agree on a plan. If you’re able to settle some or all your issues, the mediator will help write up your agreements in a Memorandum of Understanding. You will then have the opportunity to review the Memorandum and sign it.
What happens next depends on whether or not you have an attorney. If neither party is represented by an attorney, the Memorandum of Understanding will be submitted to the judge and the judge will order you to comply with the agreements. If one or both parties is represented by counsel, then Conciliation Court will send the written agreements to the attorney(s) to review. While attorneys do not participate in the actual mediation, they do get the opportunity to review the agreements before they are submitted to the judge. The parties have 30 days to review the agreements with their attorneys. In those 30 days, either party my file an objection to the agreement. There are rules on how exactly you object, but if you object then the entire agreement is thrown out and officially no agreements will have been reached. If no one objects, then after 30 days the Memorandum of Understanding will be submitted to the judge and the judge will order the parties to comply with the agreements.
Now, let’s be clear, this is not the place to fight over child support, divide property, or rehash old fights about who “started it.” Mediation through the FCCC is focused on parenting schedules, responsibilities, and how to move forward.
What happens if you don’t reach an agreement? That’s okay, too. If you are making progress and the mediator thinks you would benefit from more time, then they will schedule a second (or third) session for you. Once it is clear that you will not be able to reach an agreement, the Conciliation Court will submit a “Notice of No Agreement” to the judge, letting them know that you were unable to reach agreements but not discussing anything substantive about what you were arguing about. At that point, you can decide whether you want to file a modification or, if you have already filed, then your case will move on to a formal court hearing.
And here’s the best part: when mediation does work, it often leads to better co-parenting, fewer future conflicts, and more stability for the kids. You’re not handing over control to a stranger in a robe, you’re keeping the decision-making in your own hands. That’s powerful.
In the end, mediation through Pima’s Conciliation Court is about helping families function, not just legally, but emotionally. It’s confidential, it’s calm, and it’s designed to protect your child(ren)’s best interests. No courtroom theatrics required.
And hey, if there’s a way to walk out of a courthouse feeling heard, respected, and slightly less stressed, then that’s a win.
Conciliation Court is not traditional court. For example, there’s no courtroom, no lawyers, and no judges. It’s less litigation and more mediation. It is a structured and confidential conversation, with a trained, neutral expert helping both parents focus on what matters: the kids.
The FCCC provides free mediation services to help separated or divorced parents discuss and hopefully resolve legal decision-making (formerly “custody”) and parenting time disagreements. That’s right, free. It’s genuinely no-cost, professional, and available in multiple languages, including Spanish.
Here’s the deal: if you and the other parent can’t agree on parenting issues, you can ask the court to send you to mediation with the conciliation court. If both parents agree to go to mediation, the court will generally order it without question. If one parent asks to go but the other parent objects, the court may look to see when the last parenting order was entered; if a parenting order was never entered or the last order was entered more than one year ago, then the court will likely order the parties to go to mediation. Similarly, if you file to establish or modify a parenting order, the court will very likely order you to go to mediation first. Mediation isn’t a punishment. It’s a chance to skip the courtroom entirely and build a solution that works for your family, your way.
Before the session, both parents go through a screening process. This is to make sure everything is safe and respectful, especially if there’s a history of domestic violence, intimidation, or power imbalance. They take safety seriously.
Since approximately 2020, the majority of Conciliation Court mediation is done by telephone. Once the session begins, the mediator guides the conversation. They’re not there to tell you who’s right or wrong, and they don’t make decisions for you. Their job is to help you communicate clearly, manage emotions, and hopefully agree on a plan. If you’re able to settle some or all your issues, the mediator will help write up your agreements in a Memorandum of Understanding. You will then have the opportunity to review the Memorandum and sign it.
What happens next depends on whether or not you have an attorney. If neither party is represented by an attorney, the Memorandum of Understanding will be submitted to the judge and the judge will order you to comply with the agreements. If one or both parties is represented by counsel, then Conciliation Court will send the written agreements to the attorney(s) to review. While attorneys do not participate in the actual mediation, they do get the opportunity to review the agreements before they are submitted to the judge. The parties have 30 days to review the agreements with their attorneys. In those 30 days, either party my file an objection to the agreement. There are rules on how exactly you object, but if you object then the entire agreement is thrown out and officially no agreements will have been reached. If no one objects, then after 30 days the Memorandum of Understanding will be submitted to the judge and the judge will order the parties to comply with the agreements.
Now, let’s be clear, this is not the place to fight over child support, divide property, or rehash old fights about who “started it.” Mediation through the FCCC is focused on parenting schedules, responsibilities, and how to move forward.
What happens if you don’t reach an agreement? That’s okay, too. If you are making progress and the mediator thinks you would benefit from more time, then they will schedule a second (or third) session for you. Once it is clear that you will not be able to reach an agreement, the Conciliation Court will submit a “Notice of No Agreement” to the judge, letting them know that you were unable to reach agreements but not discussing anything substantive about what you were arguing about. At that point, you can decide whether you want to file a modification or, if you have already filed, then your case will move on to a formal court hearing.
And here’s the best part: when mediation does work, it often leads to better co-parenting, fewer future conflicts, and more stability for the kids. You’re not handing over control to a stranger in a robe, you’re keeping the decision-making in your own hands. That’s powerful.
In the end, mediation through Pima’s Conciliation Court is about helping families function, not just legally, but emotionally. It’s confidential, it’s calm, and it’s designed to protect your child(ren)’s best interests. No courtroom theatrics required.
And hey, if there’s a way to walk out of a courthouse feeling heard, respected, and slightly less stressed, then that’s a win.
This information is intended for informational purposes only, for case specific legal advice please call Rolfe Family Law at (520) 209-2550.