Family Mediation
Assisting parties to identify options and negotiate an agreement to resolve disputes.
FAMILY MEDIATION SERVICES
What is Family Mediation?
Family Mediation is a process of dispute resolution and negotiation used to reach agreement about family conflict. An independent neutral third party will assist you to resolve your conflict and any necessary future arrangements for your assets and children. The mediator helps you find possible options so you can find a solution that works for you. The mediator does not advise or enforce any arrangements, so the parties maintain full control of the outcome, and work out ways to improve communication for the future.
How do I start the process?
The parties involved in the family conflict need to want to try the process. It is voluntary. Once you agree to give family mediation a try, we will speak to both of you to ensure that mediation is suitable for your dispute.
What outcome can I expect? Will my dispute settle at family mediation?
You can expect to reach agreement and have your family conflict resolved. We estimate that approximately 85% of matters settle at family mediation. Sometimes, you may need to meet more than once to resolve family conflict, or certain things need to be done by each of the parties before settlement can be finalised.
But if this doesn’t happen, don’t despair, you will have made progress and have a very sound understanding of the other party’s position on the family conflict in order for continued negotiations.
Do lawyers attend family mediation?
They can but it’s not essential. Family mediation is designed to allow the parties to reach agreement on their own terms, focussing on their interests and needs now and into the future, rather than purely on legal rights and obligations. The process is much more flexible than the court process as parties can agree to make whatever arrangements suit them, rather than being confined to a decision based on legal principles.
When can it happen?
Contact us to find out our available dates.
Where can it happen?
We usually book a small conference room, and can arrange a larger space if you have lawyers and want them to attend.
During Covid-19 and beyond, we are able to provide family dispute resolution mediation by phone or online via any platform you prefer.
What do I bring to family mediation?
We will discuss this with you prior to your mediation and may ask that you provide copies ahead of the time set for your mediation. Generally, any document that supports your position should be to hand. This might be correspondence, emails, phones records, property valuations, school records, medical records and so on.
What do I need to do after family mediation?
You just need to do what you agreed to do during the mediation. Your mediator will assist you to draft the terms of your agreement. If you have lawyers present or engaged but not present, they can assist you to work out exactly what needs to happen in circumstances where court proceedings might need to be finalised and so on.