Why mediation?

The end of a relationship is for most people an emotionally upsetting time with thoughts focused not only on what has occurred but concerns also turn to the future as to where you might live, what resources you will have for the future or how will this impact the children and the time your able to spend with them.

With those overwhelming feelings and uncertainty people grab for anything which resembles a lifeline to provide answers whether that be a family member, a friend or a optimistic google search. There are so many unknowns not only relating to the impact upon you personally but also the idea of trying to fund lawyers and going to court. 

The accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners at Family Law Mediation Centre come with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the family law jurisdiction though are not here to act as your lawyer but rather use their experience coupled with their specific training in the mediation sphere to assist parties in reaching a resolution so as to avoid costly lawyers in protracted family law proceedings.

Unfortunately we see far too often matters which could and should have settled but instead have now proceeded to court for various reasons which are simply unnecessary. This is why Family Law Mediation Centre was founded to try and aid parties one matter at a time so they do not have to go through the cost and emotion of court proceedings and so that money can be properly used for the benefit of your child or yourself.

Why Parenting Coordination?

Parenting Coordination found it's origins in the late 1990's and has most recently been acknowledged by the Australian Judiciary of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia in referring parents to Parenting Coordination. 

In some instances, parents simply struggle with day-to-day issues or after protracted litigation, find themselves at a stalemate in agreeing on child-related matters without any form of support. 

Often, through family court proceedings, there have been lawyers, family report writers, psychologists, and other third parties assisting you in navigating the process, and now, having received an order, there appears to be no assistance to call upon in what is often the hardest part day-to-day parenting.

Parenting Coordination fills that void which previously existed without the need to incur further significant costs in briefing lawyers or returning to court.

Parenting Coordination is a child-focused process for conflicted, separated and separating parents which provides education and assistance through ongoing support to ensure that parents are able to achieve the best possible outcomes for their children.

Importantly, Parenting Coordination is an ongoing process rather than a single event, which enables parents to have access to a neutral professional over an extended period of time, allowing issues to be addressed rather than escalating into larger disputes.

By helping parents develop and maintain effective communication and conflict management skills, Parenting Coordination aims to reduce reliance on repeated legal intervention while improving long-term co-parenting relationships. 

Just some of the areas which we deal with in Parenting Coordination include implementing parenting plans and parenting orders, improving and assisting with ongoing communication, resolving disputes arising from day-to-day parenting issues, maintaining a child-focused approach to parental decision making for day-to-day issues, providing an avenue for accountability and respectful engagement, and reducing children's ongoing exposure to parental conflict.

This is a very exciting area to be in that we have seen that with the passage of time, high-conflict parents  now working together for the benefit of a child rather than further diminishing a parent's need to properly support their child. This is in significant contrast to the high cost that is involved in returning to lawyers and the court, and we have seen first hand the amazing benefit that Parenting Coordination can be to parents.

If you are considering Parenting Coordination or have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the team at Family Law Mediation Centre.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is mediation?

Mediation or as it is titled in the family law jurisdiction in parenting matters, a family dispute resolution conference is a structured negotiation process convened by a mediator/family dispute resolution practitioner who is accredited both with skills in relation to mediation and specifically matters relating to family law. 

The process has been recognised as a genuine tool for resolution between parties to the extent that with the exception of parties with exceptional circumstances, parties are required to undertake a mediation or family dispute resolution conference prior to commencing proceedings in court in relation to either parenting or property matters or both.

A successful conclusion can mean that the parties have a concluded document setting out the terms of their agreement. The benefit which can be derived from a mediator who comes with experience and specific training relating to family law matters is an invaluable tool to reaching a resolution and ultimately the first step in regaining come certainty in your future and the future of your children. 

"In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity"

Albert Einstein