Custody Mediation: Process, Power Dynamics, and the Child’s Best Interest

Send a textIn this roundtable episode, Julie is joined by three fellow family law attorneys (Cara Sawyer, Katie Fow, and PJ McGinnis) to explain what custody mediation looks like in real life, especially in Chester & Montgomery Counties, including required steps before court, what “legal custody” actually means, and why mediation is often about making incremental progress rather than solving everything at once.The conversation also addresses common pressure points that derail resolution: mismatched work schedules, trust issues, support-related suspicions, and situations where one party may feel overpowered. The attorneys discuss how effective mediators handle stalemates, when mediation may be inappropriate, and why even strong court orders can’t “fix” underlying behavior.The episode closes with a child-centered lens: how kids experience custody conflict, why shared time is often the direction courts lean when safety isn’t an issue, and what parents can do to reduce emotional harm—by focusing less on winning and more on stability, communication, and the child’s best interest.Show Notes: Learn more about Julie Potts, Esq on her website https://juliepottsesq.com Follow Julie on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lawyerjulie Follow Julie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliepotts_esq To contact the podcast with questions, suggestions, or if you are interested in being a guest, please e-mail [email protected] Please remember that this podcast should not be considered legal advice, and you should always consult your own attorney if you have questions or need clarifications about your specific situation. This episode of Lawfully After Ever was produced and edited by Emily Murphy.