The family mediation process in Australia involves both parties listening to each other’s point of view without any disruption, identifying issues that require to be resolved immediately, sharing relevant information with each other, testing possible solutions to the problem, and writing the decisions and agreements arrived during the process.
There are new steps included in the family court process. After the interim hearing, parties will have another opportunity to attend mediation for parenting and property matters. Previously, mediation was only required at the pre-filing or pre-action stage. Now, separated parents can try again once the court process has started. Many parents regret getting ‘caught’ in the process and wish they could have backed out of the stress, cost and time taken to get through the court process. The court will also be doing a readiness and compliance check after filing to make sure that the parties have made genuine attempts to resolve their dispute outside of the court processes.
Here’s the 2 step mediation process for family dispute resolutions that is proven effective and that Argyll recommends and uses:
Step 1: Getting to know you and the situation
I meet with you for about an hour to understand your situation. Then I meet with the other parent for about an hour and understand the situation from their point of view. You can bring your new partner to this meeting or a support person. The more I know about your situation, the better I can mediate a fair agreement.
Everything you say to me is confidential – I won’t disclose to the other parent what either of you say.
Step 2 – The mediation
After I’ve met both of you separately, the three of us meet and mediate. We set a list of things you want to talk about, like, who picks the kids up, what days do they stay at whose house etc.
This is when you bring up the things that aren’t working well. Maybe you want to make an agreement on how often you’ll send texts or what you talk about. It’s your mediation – it’s up to you.
Items can include questions like How will we communicate changes to each other? Who will take care of the children if one parent can’t? Can both parents attend school events even on the other parent’s care days? How will we spend Christmas? How long can one parent take the child overseas?
The price includes up to three hours of mediation and a draft parenting plan, or a section 60I certificate, if needed.
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When you choose Argyll you’ll be working with an experienced, trustworthy and affordable family mediator to help you establish a parenting agreement that’s not just focused on the best interests of your children, but also tailored to meet your family’s specific needs. With a minimal waiting list, we can meet with you and handle your case quickly.
- Flat fee of $580.00 per person- only additional expense is room hire if required
- Pre-mediation and preparation via email and phone
- 3 hours of mediation and agreements prepared in plain English or legal language as required
- Inclusive practice. LGBTIQ clients welcome
For more information or to book your initial consultation, contact us today
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