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Family Mediators That Help Your Family Move Forward
Separating and divorcing are never easy but lengthy, expensive legal battles through lawyers and the courts don’t have to be the answer. Our experienced family mediators offer an empowering, positive space where separating families can reach their own agreements around parenting, property and financial disputes.
What Is Family Mediation And Is It Right For You?
Family Mediation, also known as family dispute resolution, is a confidential process that helps families resolve disputes without going to court.
It’s facilitated by an expert family mediator who listens and supports both parties in communicating and reaching authentic, realistic agreements that work in the best interests of the children.
If you want to resolve issues calmly and purposefully, avoid legal battles, and develop agreements that work for all, then family mediation is right for you.
It’s more affordable, faster, and puts you in control of the outcome. In most cases, family mediation is a required step before going to court. Our goal is to create effective outcomes that reduce conflict, and support the best interests of the children
Benefits of Family Mediation Over Going To Court
When families face separation, the only solution for many that seems right is going to court. Here’s why thousands of Australian families choose mediation over litigation every year:
Faster Resolution
Court proceedings can drag on for months and sometimes years. Family law mediation often resolves matters in just days or weeks, significantly faster than court proceedings.
Cost-Effective Alternative
Legal battles can cost you tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Mediation offers a cost-effective alternative to litigation, helping you avoid ongoing legal fees.
Confidential & Private
A significant advantage of family mediation is that everything said in the room stays in the room. Everything discussed during your mediation session is kept confidential.
Less Stress & Conflict
Court processes are rigid, creating winners and losers, often leaving families more fractured than before. Our family mediation process supports your mental health, dignity, and parenting relationship.
Family Mediation Services We Offer
We understand that every family situation is different; that’s why our family law mediation services are designed to help you resolve disputes on your terms. Here are the types of concerns we support you to resolve.
Parenting Agreements
We support split families to reach parenting agreements that support your child's best interests. From day-to-day living to special occasions, from schooling decisions to the cost of hobbies and holidays, we focus on an agreement that works for all.
As it’s Happening Disputes
The first few weeks of a family split can be especially traumatic. We’re able to support families with mediation focusing on navigating events in the short term to help ensure the immediacy of the separation is dealt with purposefully and calmly. A very positive way to begin the next step for the family.
Ground Rules, Boundaries, and Contingencies
Our family mediators can help you establish a split-family framework that ensures both parties, and the children impacted, know exactly what to expect in any given situation. This form of agreement outlines how the 'new normal' will take shape.
Property & Financial Settlements
Our mediators help you fairly divide assets, debts, and finances through settlement mediations that focus squarely on the needs of the children both now and into the future.
Why Choose Our Family Mediators?
Choosing the right mediator when you’re in dispute has a significant impact on outcomes. Here’s why you should choose Resolutions Australia to help you achieve positive, effective results.
Professional, personable, and engaging approach
With our professional skill set we support collaboration to achieve agreements that are in the best interests of the children. We help you to silo personal concerns so you can achieve resolution in a timely, productive way.
Tailored, individual support for every unique client need
Every family is different and so is our approach. Whether it's property, parenting, or co-parenting communication, our family mediators give an outcome that works for your family.
Accredited & Experienced Mediators
Our team of family dispute mediators is experienced in parenting, property and separation disputes. We’ve got close to 30 years experience supporting families during vulnerable times.
Flexible appointment times
We have appointment times available from 7am-9pm Monday- Friday and weekends by arrangement.
Client Experiences That Speak for Themselves
Every client that comes to us carries a unique story and every agreement reached is celebrated.
What To Expect From The Family Dispute Resolution Process
Our family mediation process resolves separation/divorce, financial, or property matters by developing authentic, realistic agreements that are in the best interests of the children. Here’s how our step-by-step process works:
01
Get Started
02
Individual Intake Sessions
Mediation Session
03
04
Agreement Drafting and Distributing
After Mediation Support
05
Family Dispute Resolution / Family Mediation Pricing
We believe in clear and fair pricing without any hidden costs. You’ll always know what you’re paying for with GST included. Total Standard Mediation Process $800 per person
INITIAL CONTACT
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Initial consultation call or email
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Sending mediation preparation information.
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Administration and case management
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Sending mediation invitations and scheduling
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Preparation of documentation
INTAKE SESSION
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A 60–90-minute, one-to-one conversation with your mediator
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Gathering personal and contextual information about you, your children, and the circumstances bringing you to mediation.
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Preparation for mediation
STANDARD MEDIATION
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Parenting or property/financial mediation.
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Collaboratively developing, and drafting your agreement.
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Issuing of a Section 60i certificate to each party.
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Additional time
$125 Per Hour Per Person -
If one party does not attend
Section 60i certificate $200
Frequently asked questions
What is Family Dispute Resolution?
Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) is a type of family dispute mediation focused on the best interests of the children in the family and is usually used to reach an agreement on parenting arrangements and financial and property matters for divorcing couples.
Is a mediation agreement legally binding?
A parenting or property agreement or plan made through family mediation services is not legally enforceable; however, it can serve as the basis for one in the Family Court. Your lawyer can guide you through this simple process.
What are the benefits of mediation?
- Mediation for families provides an open, safe & effective way to resolve disputes without going to court. It’s a collaborative effort focused on the children. This is different from adversarial legal proceedings, where decisions are made for you in court.
- Mediation is extremely cost-effective and faster than the family court mediation system.
- With family mediation services, you can deal with your dispute quickly and effectively and get on with life. The alternative is the court and this may take months or years to conclude.
Do I have to take part in mediation?
- FDR stands for Family Dispute Resolution, a common form of mediation family law.
- An FDRP is a qualified mediator who delivers family mediation services across family mediation Australia.
These terms are often used interchangeably in the family court mediation process.
What do all the acronyms mean?
FDR is Family Dispute Resolution (mediation) and it is carried out by an FDRP (Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (mediator.))
FDRP’s are specialist mediators who have completed post-graduate training in this area and are registered with the Australian Attorney-General’s Department.
Terms like FDR, mediation, family mediation, FDRP and mediator are often used interchangeably.
What is a Parenting Plan?
A Parenting Plan is a written agreement created through mediation for families. It outlines clear parenting arrangements without the need for family court mediation. This is a common outcome of family mediation services in Australia.
What is a Property/Financial Agreement?
This agreement outlines how assets, debts, and finances are divided through family dispute mediation.
The process involves:
- parties agreeing on a list of assets and debts and their value
- discussions about contributions and future needs
- presentation of options
- discussion and negotiation
- finalising agreements
Do I have to speak to or see the other party?
No. If the circumstances surrounding the separation mean you’d rather not see or communicate directly with the other party, shuttle mediation is an option. It ensures a safe and comfortable process within the family mediation Australia framework.
Need assistance?
Please email, call, or use our contact form to take the first step.
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90 Maribyrnong
St, Footscray
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