Family Dispute Resolution

counselling session, family dispute resolution

In Australia, Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) is a structured mediation process aimed at helping separated or divorced couples resolve issues related to parenting arrangements, property, and financial matters. Overseen by an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, FDR focuses on achieving fair and mutually acceptable agreements without the need for court intervention.

FDR is especially common in parenting matters, where it’s a required step before applying to the Family Court (except in cases of family violence or child abuse). The process promotes open communication, helps reduce conflict, and encourages collaborative decision-making that prioritises the best interests of any children involved.

As a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner servicing clients in Perth, I am qualified to provide dispute resolution services for both property and parenting matters.

With over three decades of experience in safely resolving high-conflict family situations, especially those involving children at risk, I bring extensive knowledge and expertise to my mediation practice. My approach is to help parents resolve disputes in ways that honor their children’s rights to safely maintain meaningful relationships with both parents.

Reaching an agreement with your former partner through dispute resolution empowers you to make your own decisions about post-separation parenting arrangements and property division.ledge to my mediation practice, drawing on over three decades experience safely resolving high level conflict in families with children at risk. I assist parents to resolve their disputes in ways that respect their children’s rights to safely maintain meaningful relationships with each parent.

In Australia, it is now a legal requirement to make a serious attempt to come to an agreement prior to initiating Family Court proceedings. Apart from being legally required, dispute resolution processes have the following advantages:

  • – prompt conflict resolution
  • – more cost effective
  • – parties make their own decisions
  • – less stress on parties and their children
  • – improves the parties’ post-separation relationship
  •  

Parenting Plan 

A parenting plan is a voluntary agreement that covers the time a child will spend with each parent, the practical considerations of a child’s daily life, and how parents have agreed to make decisions about major long-term issues for their children.

This FACT SHEET provides information for parents to consider when making a parenting plan. This includes who can make a parenting plan, what a parenting plan can include, and the need to prioritise the best interests of the child. Fact sheet is provided by the Australian Government. 

For more information, please see the Family Dispute Resolution Fact Sheet  requirements prepared by the Australian Government.

Modes of Family Dispute Resolution

Standard Dispute Resolution

This process helps parties resolve disputes about either parenting or property matters. It does not include interviewing any children of the parties to the mediation.

Child Inclusive Dispute Resolution  children in counselling

Child inclusive mediation includes interviews with the parties’ children in relation to their views, concerns, hopes and reasons for their opinions. Children of separating parents have invariably developed their own perception about their parents’ dispute and reasons for separating.

These perceptions will inevitably in part be influenced by their relationships with each parent/party and their interpretation of that party or parent’s wishes.

The viability of any resolution reached between the parents or other parties to the mediation in relation to their living and spend time arrangements, is powerfully enhanced by consulting children and including their expressions of hopes and concerns.

Taking the children’s views into account enhances the mediation process. It enables viable, safe and sustainable outcomes that are in children’s interests and protects their right to safely maintain viable relationships with not only each parent, but also extended family.

Child Inclusive Mediation is particularly helpful in high conflict matters. Where there is potentially risk to children, it is especially important their concerns and wishes are taken into account and sound explanations given by their parents in regards to changes that might occur in their lives and relationships with either parent.

In my Child Inclusive Mediation blueprint I interview children separately and feed their views back to each parent before the mediation.

Family Dispute Resolution pricing packages include all administration, coordinating uploaded documents, liaison and composing agreement reached. These agreements include the issuing of a Section 60I certificate, if necessary. Please contact me for further information re costs.

Make an enquiry