Child Custody Mediation Santa Rosa | Parenting Plans | Marla Keenan-Rivero | Family Law Mediator Santa Rosa, CA | Marla Keenan-Rivero

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Child Custody Mediation in Santa Rosa, CA

Marla Keenan-Rivero Providing Santa Rosa Child Custody Mediation

Child custody is where I see the most anxiety — and the most at stake. Parents come to me worried about losing time with their kids, about what a judge might decide, about whether this process is going to make things worse between them. Mediation almost always makes things better. When parents work out a custody arrangement together rather than having one imposed by a court, they're more likely to follow it, more likely to adapt it when life changes, and more likely to co-parent effectively long after the process is over.


I've helped Sonoma County families navigate custody through mediation for over twenty years. Here's what we work through together.

Parenting Plan


A parenting plan is the foundation of any custody agreement. It documents how you and your co-parent will share responsibility for your children going forward — not just where the kids sleep, but how you'll handle holidays, school decisions, travel, and the day-to-day logistics of raising children in two households.


In mediation, we build this together. You know your children and your family better than any judge does. My job is to help you and your co-parent get to an agreement that actually reflects your lives — one you can both live with and that puts your kids first.

Custody Schedule

The custody schedule determines when children are with each parent — school nights, weekends, summers, holidays, and school breaks. There's no one-size-fits-all answer. A schedule that works for a toddler looks very different from one that works for a teenager with a busy social life and school commitments.


Through mediation, we have the flexibility to create a schedule that fits your specific family rather than defaulting to a standard template. We can also build in a process for handling schedule changes as your children grow and circumstances shift — which they will.

Decision-Making Authority

Legal custody — which determines who makes major decisions about your children's education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities — is separate from the physical custody schedule. In many cases, divorced parents share decision-making authority jointly. In others, one parent takes the lead in specific areas.


Mediation gives you the opportunity to think through these decisions deliberately rather than having them assigned by a court. We talk through what's worked, what hasn't, and what structure will actually function in your family going forward.


Serving families in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, and Northern California. To schedule a free consultation, call (707) 525-8800 or email Tidwell@perrylaw.net.

What is child custody mediation in Santa Rosa, CA?

Child custody mediation in Santa Rosa, CA, provided by Marla Keenan-Rivero, is a process where I help co-parents collaboratively create an agreement for sharing responsibility for their children. Instead of a judge imposing a decision, mediation allows parents to work together to design a parenting plan that fits their unique family situation, reducing conflict and promoting effective co-parenting.

What specifically does a parenting plan cover during child custody mediation?

A parenting plan developed during child custody mediation in Santa Rosa covers all aspects of your children's care. This includes not just where the children reside, but also how you and your co-parent will handle holidays, school decisions, travel arrangements, medical care, extracurricular activities, and the day-to-day logistics of raising children across two households. My role is to guide you and your co-parent in building a comprehensive plan that truly reflects your family's needs.

How long has Marla Keenan-Rivero been providing child custody mediation services in Sonoma County?

Marla Keenan-Rivero has been helping Sonoma County families navigate child custody through mediation for over twenty years. This extensive experience allows me to guide parents through creating effective and lasting custody arrangements and parenting plans.

Why choose mediation over court for child custody in Santa Rosa?

Choosing child custody mediation in Santa Rosa offers several advantages over court litigation. When parents work out a custody arrangement together, they are more likely to follow it, adapt it as life changes, and co-parent effectively long after the process is completed. Mediation often reduces anxiety and helps improve communication between parents, prioritizing the children's best interests. This cooperative approach contrasts with a judge-imposed decision, which can be less flexible and amicable.

What is child custody mediation in Santa Rosa, CA?

Child custody mediation in Santa Rosa, CA, provided by Marla Keenan-Rivero, helps parents resolve disputes about their children's living arrangements and upbringing. Instead of a judge making decisions, parents work together with a mediator to create a parenting plan that best suits their family's needs, reducing anxiety and fostering effective co-parenting.

 How can mediation help with child custody arrangements in Sonoma County?

Mediation, specifically with an experienced mediator like Marla Keenan-Rivero in Sonoma County, helps parents collaboratively create a child custody arrangement. This process empowers parents to design a parenting plan they are more likely to follow, adapt as life changes, and supports healthier co-parenting relationships compared to court-imposed resolutions.

What is included in a parenting plan through child custody mediation?

A parenting plan developed through child custody mediation is a comprehensive document that outlines how parents will share responsibility for their children. This includes not only where the children sleep but also how holidays, school decisions, travel, and the daily logistics of raising children in two households will be managed. For more details on this process, you may find information on our "How Family Law Mediation Works" page helpful.

 Why choose Marla Keenan-Rivero for child custody mediation in Santa Rosa?

Marla Keenan-Rivero offers over twenty years of experience helping Sonoma County families navigate child custody through mediation. She understands the anxiety parents face and provides a supportive environment to ensure parents are empowered to create practical and lasting custody arrangements, rather than having a court impose one.

Does child custody mediation in Santa Rosa cover specifics like holidays and school decisions?

Yes, child custody mediation in Santa Rosa specifically addresses how you and your co-parent will handle all aspects of your children's lives. This includes detailed agreements on holidays, school decisions, travel, and the day-to-day logistics of raising children across two households, all documented within your customized parenting plan.

Marla Keenan-Rivero Family Law & Mediation

(707) 525-8800

438 1st St, #400, Santa Rosa, CA 95401

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Tuesday:  9:00am - 5:00pm

Wednesday:  9:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday:  9:00am - 5:00pm

Friday:  Closed

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