FCS Mediation Ready™ — CA: The California FCS Custody Mediation Workbook

Your FCS custody mediation may be your first hearing. Walk in ready.

In most California counties, if you and the other parent don’t reach agreement in Family Court Services mediation, the mediator writes a recommendation — and the judge reads it before ever hearing from you. This workbook teaches you how to prepare for that room, written by Jennifer J. Moore, a California family law attorney, from the preparation methods she developed for her own clients.

The 8.5 × 11 fill-in paperback is available now on Amazon, and the Kindle edition reads on any phone, tablet, or computer with the free Kindle app. Either way — walk in ready.

What’s inside

• How your county’s FCS model — recommending vs. confidential — changes everything, with a reference table for all 58 California counties
• Building your three points, and translating grievances into child-focused proposals
• The parenting schedules and holiday plans California families actually use
• 14 fill-in worksheets, including the multi-county FCS intake organizer and the one-page Session Sheet
• The hard topics handled honestly: domestic violence, CPS involvement, substance allegations, new partners
• What to do in the session, what never to say, and the Dos & Don’ts quick-reference page
• After the session: reading the report, correcting errors, and your options

Watch first

Episode 1 — Your Custody Mediation May Be Your FIRST Hearing: 5 things California parents must know about FCS mediation.

Then watch: Your FCS report arrived — now what? The follow-up lesson on reading the report, your options if you disagree, and preparing for the hearing.

Want the printable fill-in pages? The companion worksheets are free — and more free tools live in the resource library.

Not ready yet?

Start with the free FCS Mediation Dos & Don’ts guide — a two-page quick reference you can read the night before your session.

This workbook is legal education, not legal advice. Buying and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. If your case involves domestic violence, abuse allegations, or other complicating factors, consider consulting a licensed California family law attorney. Available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions.

Common questions about the workbook

What is FCS Mediation Ready — CA?

It is a complete preparation workbook for California Family Court Services custody mediation, written by Jennifer J. Moore, a California family law attorney. It covers how FCS works, what the mediator must consider, fill-in worksheets for your three points and proposed schedule, a full parenting-plan toolkit including holiday schedules, a chapter on hard topics, and a county-by-county reference for all 58 California counties.

Is it available as an ebook or paperback?

Both. The 8.5×11 fill-in paperback and the Kindle edition are available on Amazon — search “FCS Mediation Ready.” The Kindle edition reads on any phone, tablet, or computer with the free Kindle app.

Does the workbook cover my county?

Yes — the county reference covers all 58 California counties, including whether each uses the recommending (CCRC) or confidential mediation model, with a link to each county’s official Family Court Services page. You can also check your county free with the FCS County Lookup on this site.

Is this legal advice?

No. The workbook and everything on this site are legal education — general information about how California family court works. They are not advice about your specific case and do not create an attorney-client relationship. For case-specific advice, consult a licensed California family law attorney or your court’s free self-help center.