Alternative Dispute Resolution

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) offers families in contested dissolution of marriages (divorce), motions to modify previous orders, or paternity actions, options to the litigation process. Mediation allows disputing parties the ability to maintain control over the time and expense required for the court to process each case by coming to an agreement by meeting with an impartial third person. If parties are able to reach a full or partial agreement with the aid of a neutral mediator prior to their scheduled court date, the agreement can be accepted by a Family Court Commissioner and the dispute is considered settled.

Prior to participating in mediation, litigants should attend the court-mandated ADR class, “Dispute Resolution and the Family Court”. The two-hour class discusses the family court process and available options.

Dispute Resolution and the Family Court class

The court mandated class provides detailed information regarding the Family Court process as well as alternatives to litigation. During the first hour, disputes and resolutions, family court events, court time expectations and fees and other court related information is provided. In the second hour, court alternatives, including mediation is discussed. The mediation process along with what to expect in and from mediation is discussed in depth.

The class is held at least twice a month at Burrell Behavioral Health at 5:30pm. Dates vary for the two-hour class.

There is no charge for the class. Children are not allowed to attend and childcare is not provided.

Directions

Burrell Behavioral Health-Children's Theatre
1300 Bradford Parkway
Springfield, MO 65804

The class meets in the Children’s Theatre, which is located in the Children’s Center of the Burrell Campus. From South National Avenue, (by Cox South Hospital) turn east onto Primrose and then south into the Burrell Campus. Please follow the Children’s Center signs to the lower building and enter by the bronze statues.

ADR Local Court Rule

In March 2007, the Greene County Court En Banc approved Local Rule 2.3(D) that authorizes an Alternative Dispute Resolution Program. That rule mandates mediation and attendance at an associated class. It also enhances the education and experience required for Mediators’ inclusion on the court’s approved list.

Mediator's Information

The Greene County Court En Banc approved Local Rule 2.3(D) authorizing an Alternative Dispute Resolution Program. In addition to mandating mediation and attendance at an associated class, that local rule enhances the education and experiences required for inclusion on the court approved list.

Qualifications for neutrals are delineated in the Alternative Dispute Resolution Policy and Procedures Manual, and are included on this website. Essentially, mediators must receive 40 hours of approved family and civil mediation training and observe four mediations with two mediators before gaining inclusion on the court’s list. Observations may be comprised of four mediations or co-mediations conducted prior to the neutral’s inclusion on the updated courts’ list of mediators, or if while representing a client, the attorney participated in four attorney assisted mediations.

Resources

Courts of Missouri

Parent Education Classess (required if you have children)

  • Blue Prints (parenting class)-883-8400
  • Children’s first (parenting class)-269-7275
  • Family Court Education Services (parenting class)-831-1505
  • FOCIS (parenting class)-869-9011

Classes (other)

  • Dispute Resolution (this class (not a parenting class but still required))- 829-6113
  • Co-parenting Conflict Resolution (conflict class-not a parenting class)-836-8831

Counseling or Medical Resources (low income)

  • Center City Counseling-836-8876
  • Forest Institute-823-3477
  • Jordan Valley Health (medical/dental)-831-0150
  • Kitchen Clinic (medical/dental)-837-1504
  • Ozarks Counseling Center-869-9011

Common Ground (supervised visitation program)

Parents in high conflict can visit their children in a supervised or therapeutic setting for $10/hour from each parent ($20 total) for a 1 hour visit: Common Ground link

M.A.R.C.H. Mediation

Free Mediations for Paternity and Motions to Modify Ph: 800-595-9750 or 816-792-9989 Fax: 816-792-3885 (Local mediators are contacted by them).

Other

  • Greene County Family Services/Children’s Division –895-6000
  • Missouri Career Center-887-4343
  • OACAC (low income assistance)-862-3444
  • Southwest Center for Independent Living (SCIL)-886-1188
  • Child Support- 895-6338 (Greene county only)