(a) When the parties to a divorce action have minor children residing with one (1) or both parents, the court, prior to or after entering a decree of divorce, may require the parties to: (1) Complete at least two (2) hours of classes concerning parenting issues faced by divorced parents; or(2) Submit to mediation in regard to addressing parenting, custody, and visitation issues.(b) Each party shall be responsible for his or her cost of attending classes or mediation.(c) The parties may: (1) Choose a mediator from a list provided by the judge of those mediators who have met the Arkansas Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission's requirement guidelines for inclusion on a court-connected mediation roster; or(2) Select a mediator not on the roster, if approved by the judge.(d) A party may move to dispense with the referral to mediation for good cause shown.Acts 1999, No. 704, § 1; 2001, No. 198, § 1
Arkansas Legal Code