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Hennepin County > Human services > Family mediation and evaluation

Family mediation and evaluation

Our services can help resolve your custody and parenting time disputes.

Our physical office is open by appointment only.

  • Submit a request for mediation

Family Mediation and Evaluation

fme@hennepin.us

Phone: 612-348-7556

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Learn about our services

Mediation

Our mediators help you resolve child custody and parenting time disputes in a timely manner. The process is confidential, and the court only receives agreements that the parties approve. Mediators are qualified by the State of Minnesota.

Benefits for families

Parents remain the decision makers for their children with reduced conflict and court involvement.

Time required

One to two 90–120 minute sessions

Request mediation without a court order

Once you have requested mediation, you should notify the other party to contact us to proceed with mediation. We are not able to contact the other party on your behalf.

You can enter the other party’s email address to generate a notice of the request and an opportunity to respond in kind.

If the other party completes a request within 14 days, we will contact you both by phone to complete an intake and schedule your mediation.

If we do not hear from the other party, then we can’t provide mediation.

Submit a request for mediation.

Early Neutral Evaluation (also known as Social Early Neutral Evaluation or ENE/SENE)

You will meet with a team of male and female evaluators who listen to each party and provide feedback. Their feedback is based on state-outlined factors around custody and parenting time. That information is then used to help parents reach agreements.

If parents have attorneys, the attorneys must attend. The process is confidential. Only agreements both parties approve are shared with the court.

Benefits for families

Parents remain the decision makers for their children with reduced conflict and court involvement.

Time required

One three-hour session and follow-up sessions as needed.

Brief focused assessment

An evaluator works with you to assess questions posed by the court related to your custody or parenting time disputes. The evaluator then provides a report for the court.

Benefits for families

Less time than a full evaluation. A written evaluation can help the court determine what is best for children.

Time required

Multiple appointments over 60 to 90 days

Custody and parenting time evaluation

An evaluator meets with you and family members, gathers information from professionals involved with your family like teachers, doctors, or counselors. The information is used to determine the best interests of your children considering Minnesota law.

Once information is gathered, the evaluator may either:

  • Offer a verbal report and an opportunity to settle and/or
  • Provide a report to the court

Benefits for families

Court decisions are more likely to be in the best interests of the children.

Time required

Multiple appointments over 120 days

Find court information

We are not able to provide legal advice or address financial issues like child support.

You can get help with your court or legal questions.

If you have a question regarding your active court case

Fourth Judicial District Family Court

If you represent yourself without an attorney and need assistance

Minnesota Courts Self-Help Center
651-435-6535
Email the Minnesota Courts Self-Help Center

Fourth Judicial District Family Court Self-Help Center
651-478-8757

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