Whenever a custody case is started, mediation is a mandatory part of the legal procedure. During mediation, parents are encouraged to seek an agreement regarding custody and a parenting plan in their case. If an agreement is reached in mediation, it means that a trial on many custody issues may be unnecessary. While our attorneys encourage our clients to reach a resolution whenever possible, no client is forced to reach an agreement, and the mediators are not allowed to force people to reach an agreement they are not comfortable with. Before finalizing an agreement, we tell our clients to let us review their agreement, to make sure it is legal, and means what the client thinks it says. Our attorneys have experience with the current Umatilla County mediators, who will meet with parties in both Hermiston and Pendleton.