(a) If a stepparent or grandparent has petitioned, or otherwise applied, for a visitation order pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 3100), the court shall set the matter for mediation.

(b) A natural or adoptive parent who is not a party to the proceeding is not required to participate in the mediation proceeding, but failure to participate is a waiver of that parent’s right to object to a settlement reached by the other parties during mediation or to require a hearing on the matter.

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Terms Used In California Family Code 3171

  • order: include a decree, as appropriate under the circumstances. See California Family Code 100
  • Proceeding: includes an action. See California Family Code 110
  • Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.

(Repealed and added by Stats. 1993, Ch. 219, Sec. 116.87. Effective January 1, 1994.)