Informal Proceedings
Informal Proceedings is a mediation-type service the Court offers to parents who are having minor disagreements or problems with an existing parenting plan or shared parenting plan and whose case is currently closed. It is designed for situations where the issues are not major, and both parents want to work things out without expending the cost of filing a motion or going through a full court hearing.
This is a quieter, lower-stakes way to solve problems – without filing a formal motion and waiting months for a hearing date.
What happens?
- You and the other parent meet with a trained mediator from the Court.
- You talk through the problem and look for a solution you can both agree on.
- If you reach an agreement, you pay the $50.00 filing fee to the Clerk of Courts, without needing a full court proceeding.
- For more information see Instruction 11 – Informal Proceeding Fact Sheet
This service is a good fit if:
- You already have a parenting plan/shared parenting plan in place.
- A minor issue has come up — like a scheduling change, school pickup, or holiday plans.
- You and the other parent are willing to talk things through with help.
How to Get Started:
- You or your attorney may request a referral to Settlement Week Informal Mediation or submit Local Form 111 – Informal Proceeding Request or click here.
- Once referred, the Court will contact you to set your date and time.