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Divorce Mediation That Keeps Things Out of Court
When a marriage ends, the divorce process can feel overwhelming. Our divorce mediation services (family dispute resolution, more formally) provide separated couples with a calm and confidential space to resolve parenting, property and financial disputes with the support of an experienced divorce mediator.
We offer online divorce mediation services, helping couples reach fair and lasting agreements without the stress, delay and high costs of court proceedings.
Is Divorce Mediation Right for You?
Divorce mediation is the right choice for couples who want to resolve any issues they may have with clarity, fairness and dignity rather than handing decisions to a court. It works best when both parties are willing to communicate openly, discuss issues respectfully and work toward a practical agreement. All this with keeping the best interests of the children as the top priority.
You don’t need to agree on everything to begin. In fact, most couples who come to us disagree on several key issues. Mediation prior to divorce gives you a structured environment to work through issues around parenting responsibilities, division of property, finances, and superannuation, and any other important concerns, confidentially, and at your own pace.
Why Choose Divorce Mediation Over Court Proceedings?
The process you choose to reach divorce shapes how quickly and peacefully you move forward. Here are five reasons thousands of Australian families choose divorce mediation over court.
Faster Settlement
Divorce mediation helps separated couples resolve parenting, property and financial matters in weeks rather than the 12 to 24 months a court case often takes. This helps them move forward and begin the next chapter of their life. The new normal begins sooner and more peacefully.
Cost-Effective Resolution
Working with an experienced divorce mediator costs significantly less than lengthy court battles. Divorce mediation typically costs $1000 to $3000 per client. Legal costs for a Family Court hearing will likely cost upwards of $10000.
Confidential Process
Mediation is a fully private and confidential process. Court proceedings usually become part of the public record and in fact the public are usually able to be present in the courtroom.
Avoid Court Battles
Choosing divorce mediation encourages respectful, collaborative, structured conversation between both parties. This reduces hostility and helps both make practical decisions with greater control over the outcome and less emotional fallout as a result.
Better Co-Parenting Outcomes
For separating couples with children, divorce mediation encourages healthier co-parenting and helps reduce conflict, creating a far more stable, supportive and loving environment for the children going forward.
How to Prepare For A Divorce Mediation?
Preparing for divorce mediation gives you the confidence, clarity and composure to reach an agreement that works for your situation.
Importantly, during first contact and intake your mediator will have provided you with a substantial amount of information to support you during the process.
Here’s everything you should do before stepping into your session.
Understand the Mediation Process
Before your first session begins take the time to understand how divorce mediation works, what topics will be discussed, and how a mediator communicates. Knowing the whole process in advance helps you participate more productively and reach a resolution that supports all parties.
Research and Find the Right Divorce Mediator
Look for a mediator registered as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP) and accredited under the AMDRAS framework. Find someone with experience in family matters, and an approach that's professional and personable. At Resolutions Australia our mediators all fit these criteria.
Gather All Necessary Documents
Before your mediation session begins, organize all relevant documents that support your position. Have copies of all documents available to be sent to your mediator.
Identify Your Goals and Priorities
Identify the issues and areas of conflict you have with the other party. Take time to reflect on what outcomes matter most to you and your beliefs about the best interests of the children, their needs now and into the future. Consider scenarios and areas you are willing to negotiate around.
Prepare Talking Points and Possible Solutions
It's wise to come prepared with the main talking points you want to bring up in the mediation. Consider best and worst possible outcomes, possible pathways forward, steps to getting there, and areas of agreement you already have.
Manage Emotions and Effective Communication
Divorcing is an emotionally challenging time. Focusing on emotional readiness and steps you can take to support yourself are important in ensuring your mediation efforts are positive. Consider the mediation a business meeting, visualise leaving emotional ‘baggage’ at the door, take frequent breaks, have food and drink close by.
Why Choose Our Divorce Mediators?
Choosing the right mediation provider can take the stress out of the process and help ensure practical, child-focused plans and agreements are reached. At Resolutions Australia our divorce mediators are knowledgeable, experienced and professional and can support you expertly through the process.
Accredited & Experienced Mediators
Our team are all registered FDRPs accredited under AMDRAS and with the Office of the Attorney General of Australia. We have close to 30 years experience in supporting families across the mediation, counselling, and education professions.
Impartial, Judgment-Free Approach
In financial settlement mediation, a mediator doesn’t take sides. Our mediators are experts in monitoring the mediation for power imbalances, maintaining the focus on the current and future needs of the children, and supporting parties to make their own decisions. They are expert communicators and all input from your mediator is inherently neutrally based.
Flexible appointment times
We’re as flexible as you need us to be. While we list appointment times on our website we’re able to schedule any time that is convenient for you. With time zones, 24/7 work rosters, FIFO work, and the usual childcare and family life demands we recognise the importance of being available when you are. Just let us know and we’ll lock in a time!
Personalised Support For Every Client
We understand that every split couple situation is different and unique. That’s why we take the time to understand your case and provide personal support with our divorce mediation services according to your circumstances. No strict organisational policies, no rigid mindset. If we can support, we do.
Client Experiences That Speak for Themselves
Every client comes to us with a different challenge, and we’re proud to help couples move forward with clarity, understanding, and practical agreements that work well for them.
Frequently asked questions
What Is Divorce Mediation?
Divorce mediation is a confidential process where separated couples work with a neutral, accredited divorce mediator to resolve parenting, financial and property matters without going to court.
Is mediation effective for divorce?
Yes. Research from the Australian Institute of Family Studies shows that the significant majority of couples who attempt mediation reach full or partial agreement. Using mediation reduces conflict, takes less time, costs substantially less than litigation, and keeps control of outcomes with the parties attending.
What are the five main benefits of using mediation to resolve divorce?
- Divorce mediation is generally less stressful and helps reduce conflict compared to court proceedings.
- The process is confidential (unlike court), keeping personal and financial matters between the parties and mediator.
- It is significantly more affordable than lengthy litigation via court.
- Couples can reach a mediated agreement within a week or two as opposed to months or years via lawyer led negotiation or the Family Court process.
- Both parties retain control over outcomes thus ensuring meaningful, realistic plans and agreements are reached.
How long does divorce mediation take?
Most couples resolve matters within one to two, four hour sessions, over just a few weeks. Pursuing agreement via lawyers or the Family Court will likely take months or years.
What are divorce mediation costs in Australia?
Most private mediation services charge anywhere between $2000 and $6000. At Resolutions Australia we’ve developed an online mediation business model that allows us to charge just $1600 per mediation. We want to make mediation as accessible to all as possible and this is reflected in our pricing.
If parties choose to litigate via the Family Court it will likely cost in excess of $10000 per person unless they meet the narrow criteria for legal aid support.
What are the factors that affect how long divorce mediation takes?
The complexity of the situation is the most usual factor impacting the length of mediation. Usually parenting plan or property/financial mediations can be completed in a single four hour session.
Do you provide divorce mediation services across Australia?
Yes. We offer nationwide divorce mediation services across Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and all regional areas. Resolutions Australia have mediated with offshore workers on oil rigs, with couples where one party is in another country, and with miners based remotely. Wherever you are we can mediate.
How does the divorce mediation process work in Australia?
- The process usually begins with a first contact phone call where the mediator hears a summary of your situation and provides you with an outline of the process.
- If mediation is decided to be suitable then a confidential intake session occurs with each party individually.
- Both parties then prepare themselves for the upcoming mediation session. Your mediator will advise you on exactly what’s required and will provide plenty of information to help.
- The mediation session takes place, managed by the mediator and with the goal of reaching agreement around catering for the best interests of the children.
- As the session unfolds areas of agreement are reached and documented. This then becomes the agreement or plan with the mediator distributing and having parties sign.
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