My children’s other parent is not a good influence on our children. What can I do to change the current visitation arrangement?

You can try mediation, or contact your attorney about going to court and changing the visitation arrangement. Mediation is a way to resolve conflict in which a neutral third party, a mediator, helps the conflicting parties come to an agreement. It can be less expensive than going to court and may result in an agreement that will work better for both of you and your children. Also, mediation has been found to help children adjust to divorce in the long term. For more information about mediation or to find a mediator in your area, contact the Academy of Family Mediators at (781) 674-2663.

If you need help finding an attorney, you may contact the Missouri Bar Lawyer Referral Service at (573) 635-3635.

• In St. Louis
  (314) 621-6681
• In Kansas City
  (816) 221-9472
• In Springfield
  (417) 831-2783

Source:
Emery, R.E., Laumann-Billings, L., Waldron, M., Sbarra, D.A., and Dillon, P. (2001). Child custody mediation and litigation: Custody, contact, and co-parenting 12 years after initial dispute resolution. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 69, 323-332.

Kim Leon, Ph.D., Former Assistant Professor and State Specialist, Human Development & Family Studies, Human Environmental Sciences Extension, University of Missouri-Columbia

Alison Levitch, Human Development & Family Studies Graduate Student, Human Environmental Sciences Extension, University of Missouri-Columbia

Last updated:09/14/2007