Rule 38 Mediator panels; training and qualifications; information reporting

Each family court has to set up a group of approved mediators. These are the people who help parents or spouses work out agreements instead of going through a full court fight. To be on this list, a mediator has to meet certain training and experience requirements set by the state Supreme Court of Appeals, and that court has final say over who gets approved.

The rule also requires everyone involved in the mediation process, including court staff and the mediators themselves, to report information back to the Supreme Court of Appeals. This helps the state track how well the mediation programs are working and make changes if needed.

For someone going through a family court case, this rule means the mediator assigned to help with your case has met state standards for training and skill. It also means the court system is keeping tabs on how mediation is working across the state, which can affect future rules or programs you might deal with later.