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PERSONAL INJURY
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TELEPHONE CONSULTATION
636-861-1111
1190 Meramec Station Rd, Suite 203  First Bank Building
Ballwin, MO 63021
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West County Family Law
1190 Meramec Station Rd.
First Bank Bldg., Suite 203
Ballwin, MO 63021
636-861-1111
636-861-1127 fax
www.westcountyfamilylaw.com
West County Family Law

CALL FOR YOUR FREE
TELEPHONE CONSULTATION
636-861-1111
West County Family Law
Ballwin, Mo. Office
West County Family Law Attorneys - Parenting Class
Joel Case & Sally Rajnoha
West County Family Law


We're Here to Help You

We seek to help you through the legal problem confronting you. The first step is an easy one: call us for a free  telephone consultation at
(636) 861-1111 to speak with our Ballwin family and criminal law attorneys. You can also contact us online. We accept Visa and MasterCard.

West County Family Law is located in Ballwin, Missouri, and serves the cities of St. Louis, Chesterfield,  Fenton, Valley Park, Clayton, Creve
Coeur, Kirkwood,    Des Peres, Webster Groves, Manchester, Eureka, Hillsboro, Maryland Heights, Town and Country, Ellisville, Frontenac,
Wildwood, Ladue and Crestwood. We also serve other communities in St. Louis County, Jefferson County, St. Charles County, West County
and South County.
Contact West County Family Law online or call us at 636-861-1111 to schedule your initial consultation with one of our attorneys
so that you can learn more about your rights and options.

Notice of Mandatory Parent Education Class for Parents

Effective March 1, 2009, the Family Court of St. Louis County requires that all parents who are seeking a divorce (legally known as dissolution
of marriage) or a legal separation or who are seeking to modify a prior divorce order which involves issues of child custody or visitation or who
are seeking a declaration of paternity or motion to modify a prior paternity order and who have in common at least one child under age 19
must attend a Parent Education Class sponsored through the Court. This class covers the impact of divorce, legal separation, divorce
modification and paternity determinations on adults as well as children, and presents ways to help the family cope with changes resulting from
these proceedings. The class focuses on increasing cooperation between parents with an emphasis upon reducing potential trauma for
children. The parent who files the petition for divorce or legal separation or the motion to modify or paternity action ("petitioner") must attend
class within 45 days after filing the petition or motion; the other parent ("respondent") must attend class within 45 days after service of the
petition or motion, or the filing of a voluntary entry of appearance and waiver. The petitioner and respondent will be scheduled to attend
separate classes. Please have your cause number available to give to the scheduler when you call. Several locations and class times are
available each week. Effective March 1, 2009 the cost is $50.00 per person and attendance is reported to the Court. To schedule yourself for
a class as soon as possible, call the St. Louis County Parent Education Program at 314-863-3310.

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                 Notice of Mediation Services for Parents
                              Free Mediation Services

The Family Court offers a limited number of hours of free, confidential mediation services for parents involved in or contemplating filing a
Family Court case, to help develop parenting plans for use in dissolution, paternity or adult abuse proceedings. Mediation may also help
parents resolve visitation and custody issues concerning existing parenting plans. This no cost mediation service is limited to developing the
parenting plan and will not address division of property, debt or child support issues. For mediation services that will address property
issues as well as the parenting plan see “Selecting a Mediator” below. To learn more about mediation or to request free mediation services,
call the Domestic Relations Service at (314) 615-8093.

                                     Why Mediation

Divorce is a time of change for families. To help you make decisions about these changes, the Family Court of St. Louis County encourages
you to consider the use of mediation. Mediation can help divorcing, divorced, or never married couples work out the division of property,
financial arrangements, and decisions about children. Oftentimes changes in the personal relationship between parents interfere with their
ability to work together in making significant decisions. With a trained mediator, resolving differences and conflicts can ease the adjustment to
divorce and lead to a more satisfying outcome. Through mediation, parties can reach mutual decisions about property division as well as child
custody and support matters without participating in a contested lawsuit. Participants in mediation sometimes spend less money, frequently
spend less time in court, and always take greater control over the outcome of their cases. Mediation can be especially beneficial to parents
who are making plans for the care of children during and after the divorce.

                                     What is Mediation

Mediation is a voluntary process where an impartial third party (mediator) assists the parties in making mutually acceptable decisions. The
mediator does this by helping participants clarify issues, reduce misunderstandings, explore options, and identify areas of agreement.
Agreements reached are based upon decisions of participants and not upon decisions of the mediator.

                          Persons Involved in Mediation

Typically, mediation sessions include the parents together with the mediator. The mediator may meet with the couple's children, if any, and
with other necessary individuals as agreed to by both parties. With the consent of both parties and at the discretion of the mediator, attorneys
may be present and participate in mediation sessions. If special assistance is needed due to a disability or language barrier, please consult
with the Human Resources Department at (314) 615-4471. CCFC74 Rev 02/09

                                   Selecting a Mediator

Parties may select any qualified person to mediate their divorce or related legal proceeding. However, as a public service, the Family Court of
St. Louis County maintains a list of private individuals who are available to serve as mediators. Mediators on the Court Approved List have
certified that they meet the qualifications set forth by the Family Court of St. Louis County for mediating all relevant issues raised in a
dissolution petition, paternity action, or motion to modify; these include property, financial arrangements, child custody and related parenting
issues. They are attorneys or persons who have a graduate degree in counseling, psychology, social work or a related field. The Family Court
takes no position as to the relative skills of any individual listed as a Court Approved Mediator nor does the Court take any responsibility for
the services provided by such individuals. If you would like to obtain a List of Court Approved Mediators, contact the Court Human Resources
Department at (314) 615-4471.

                               Fees for Mediation

Each mediator sets his/her own fees. To learn more about fees, contact the mediator directly.
                              
                             Service Limitations

The mediator may not act as an attorney or counselor for either party during or after the time that they are involved in mediation. The mediator
may not act as investigator for any Court-ordered report nor make any recommendations to the Court.

                                  Confidentiality

Mediators may neither disclose nor be subpoenaed to disclose information made known to them in the process of setting up or conducting
mediation.

                            Mediation Agreements

The mediator writes a summary of the decisions reached in mediation. The summary is provided to the participants and to their attorneys (if
any). It forms the basis for the settlement agreement, which is not binding until approved by the Court.

                              Role of the Attorney

Your attorney continues to play an important role when you participate in mediation. Rather than acting as the primary negotiator, the attorney
acts as your consultant, providing you with guidance through the legal process.

                                 Ending Mediation

At any time, either participant may withdraw from the mediation process. The mediator may end the mediation at any time if the mediator
believes continuing would be unproductive or detrimental to one or both the parties or their children. In addition, the parties may jointly seek
the services of a replacement mediator. A decision to change mediators or to withdraw from the mediation process will not be held against
either party by the Court.

                              Benefits of Mediation

Mediation gives participants the opportunity to remain in control of decisions that will affect their property division, financial arrangements and
children's lives. Research indicates that children adjust more positively where there is less conflict between parents. By attempting to minimize
misunderstandings and identify positive mutual goals, the mediator seeks to lessen hostility between the parties. The focus is placed on the
present and future, not on what happened in the past. Mediation also eliminates the uncertainty that results from a trial.

                               Court Time Standards

The Family Court of St. Louis County makes every effort to comply with time standards set by the Missouri Supreme Court that are intended to
insure the timely resolution of court cases. Mediation, in and of itself, is not considered a valid reason to delay court proceedings.

                                   Early Participation

The Court encourages persons to use mediation as early as possible in the legal process. Mediation Services offered by the Domestic
Relations Service and the Court Approved List of Mediators are all available to persons who wish to begin the mediation process before filing
papers in Court.