frequently asked questions?

We can help you sort out your parenting arrangements and your financial and property matters.

FDR Mediation costs are far less than if you went to court and had to pay for legal fees. FDR Mediation fees vary depending on which service provider you use.  

There are alternatives to being in the same room. We can use a shuttle process, this is where you are in the same building but you arrive and depart at different times and you will not have to speak or see your former partner. We can do Mediator Facilitated negotiations, this is where the FDRP will be like a messenger via independent phone conversations and emails with each party separately. Another option is via video conferencing using 'Zoom', this works well if you are in different states or if you are in rural areas or you don't have car and can't get to the location of the mediation. 

Firstly you need to agree on your parenting arrangements - this is your Parenting agreement. From the parenting agreement (this means you and your former partner agree to the items that you discussed and mediated about) a parenting plan is written up stating all the points of agreement. A parenting plan can be as detailed as you need it to be. It is not legally binding, however, if you end up going to court, then the court will take into consideration your latest parenting plan. If you would like your parenting plan to be legally binding - it can be made into 'Orders by Consent' or 'Consent Orders'. A Lawyer can assist you to make your Parenting Plan legally binding. The Lawyer will draft your parenting plan into an official court document and then apply to have them made into consent orders and have the courts seal of approval (this means that your parenting plan is accepted by the court.) Once accepted, your agreement will be legally binding and be in the form of consent orders. You must comply with the orders and if you are found to be breaching these orders - penalties may apply. 

Yes, generally what is said in FDR Mediation stays in FDR Mediation and what is said cannot be used against you in court if you do end up in court. However, a FDRP has a duty of care and if your FDRP has reason to believe that a person, property or animal is at risk of harm or is being harmed then they will have to notify the relevant authorities. You may talk to a counsellor or close friend about your FDR Mediation but we advise you to let them know of the confidential nature of FDR Mediation. 

The Family Law Act 1975 requires that you will need to attend FDR Mediation if you want to file an application with the court about Parenting disputes. (However, exceptions apply.)

If your mediation fails, you will be given a 60i Certificate that will enable you to file your matter with the court. A 60i Certificate can only be obtained from a registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner.