Child Custody Mediation — Putting Your Children First

When parents separate or divorce, few decisions carry more weight than those involving your children. Child custody mediation offers a private, child-centered path to creating custody arrangements that truly serve your family — without the adversarial nature of a courtroom battle.

At Compass Mediation Group, lead mediator Alisa Kharis brings 16 years of courtroom experience as a former practicing attorney in Washington state courts — including extensive family law work — along with over 25 years of mediation experience and education. She holds a Juris Doctorate from Seattle University School of Law and a Master Mediator certification from the International Mediation Association (IMA), earned through a rigorous year-long training program. This combination of courtroom knowledge and mediation expertise means Alisa understands exactly what courts look for in custody agreements and how to help parents build plans that protect their children.

All sessions are conducted virtually, making custody mediation accessible to families nationwide — whether you’re in Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Diego, or anywhere in between.

The Best Interests of the Child Standard

Courts across the country use the “best interests of the child” standard when evaluating custody arrangements. With her Juris Doctorate from Seattle University School of Law and 16 years of trial and motions practice in Washington state courts — including King, Pierce, Kitsap, Whatcom, and Grays Harbor counties — Alisa ensures your agreement aligns with these factors so it holds up in court. Common considerations include:

• The child’s emotional and physical safety
• Each parent’s ability to provide a stable home environment
• The child’s existing relationships with siblings, extended family, and community
• Each parent’s willingness to support the child’s relationship with the other parent
• The child’s own wishes (depending on age and maturity)
• Each parent’s mental and physical health
• Any history of domestic violence, abuse, or substance issues

Mediation allows you to address every one of these factors thoughtfully — rather than leaving those decisions to a judge who has spent limited time with your family.

Creating a Comprehensive Parenting Plan

A strong custody agreement goes far beyond “every other weekend.” In mediation, you’ll build a detailed parenting plan that covers:

• Weekly schedules — including school days, weekends, and overnights
• Holiday and vacation time — alternating holidays, school breaks, and summer schedules
• Transportation and exchanges — who drops off, who picks up, and where
• Communication between households — phone calls, video chats, and messaging between the child and the non-custodial parent
• Decision-making protocols — how major decisions will be discussed and resolved
• Relocation provisions — what happens if one parent needs to move
• Right of first refusal — offering the other parent childcare time before hiring a babysitter

The more thorough your parenting plan, the fewer conflicts arise later. Alisa’s experience handling family law cases in court — combined with her IMA Master Mediator training — means she knows how to anticipate the details most parents overlook.

How Mediation Protects Children from Courtroom Trauma

Research consistently shows that parental conflict — not divorce itself — is what harms children most. Courtroom custody battles put children at the center of an adversarial process that can cause lasting emotional damage.

Child custody mediation protects your children by:

• Keeping conflict private — Mediation is confidential. There’s no public courtroom testimony or contentious cross-examinations.
• Reducing hostility between parents — Mediation encourages cooperation, not combat. Children benefit when their parents can communicate respectfully.
• Giving parents control — When parents design their own agreement, they’re more committed to following it — which means more stability for the child.
• Resolving disputes faster — Court cases can drag on for months or even years. Mediation typically resolves custody issues in a fraction of that time, reducing the period of uncertainty for your children.
• Modeling healthy conflict resolution — When parents choose mediation, they show their children that disagreements can be resolved through dialogue and compromise.

Why Choose Compass Mediation Group for Custody Mediation

Legal background that matters. Alisa Kharis holds a Juris Doctorate from Seattle University School of Law and practiced law for 16 years in Washington state courts. She has firsthand experience with family law, criminal law, civil litigation, and administrative hearings — giving her a deep understanding of how courts evaluate custody arrangements and what makes an agreement stand up to judicial scrutiny.

IMA-certified Master Mediator. Alisa earned her Master Mediator designation from the International Mediation Association through a year-long training program in Phoenix, Arizona — a credential held by a select group of mediators nationwide. Combined with over 25 years of mediation experience and education, this means your custody mediation is led by one of the most qualified professionals in the field.

A neutral, child-focused approach. Alisa doesn’t take sides. Her role is to help both parents focus on what’s best for the children — not to “win” for one party or the other.

Virtual sessions, nationwide access. All mediation sessions are conducted virtually, so you can participate from the comfort and privacy of your own home — no matter where you live.

Over two decades of business and negotiation experience. Through her umbrella company Synergy Relations — which she has operated since 2003, providing consultation, strategic communications, and PR services — Alisa has honed the negotiation and facilitation skills that complex custody conversations demand.