Mediation

Family Dispute Resolution

When a relationship ends it can be difficult to make arrangements for your children. Separation is a difficult time with all parties experiencing a lot of change. Having discussions is often not easy and what is best for your children can get lost in the process. Family mediation keeps a focus on resolving issues with your children’s best interests at heart.

While some parents are able to make agreements, other parents may not be able to agree on everything and require the assistance of a mediator, also known as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP). Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners are qualified to help parents have discussions in a safe and respectful environment to come up with practical arrangements and reach mutually acceptable agreements that enable them to move forward.

Our focus is to help your family to continue to communicate, function and move forward in a positive and respectful manner so your children are happy and thrive in their new family structure.  We will assist you to continue to co parent in a positive and effective way, while always having your children’s best interest at the centre of everything you do.

Any agreements reached during mediation will be written up by the mediator and distributed to both parties. While this document is a record of the parties’ agreements, it is not a legally binding document, however parties may choose to make them legally binding through a legal process.

Family Dispute Resolution is a voluntary process and aims to help families resolve issues without going to court. However, if mediation is not appropriate for a family, or the issues can not be resolved, our accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners are able to issue a Certificate s60I which is a requirement of the Family Court before allowing an application for Parenting Orders in the Family Court of Australia to be made.

Elder Mediation

As life changes so do our needs.  We are often required to have hard discussions and make hard decisions that are appropriate for those changing circumstances.  This can be a difficult process, particularly when it effects all members of a family, especially elderly members.

Elder Mediation provides a safe, respectful, listening environment for all family members and significant others to discuss important life changing issues and decisions together.

Elder Mediation is a process which aims to support and assist elderly people, their families and others to make plans and reach negotiated agreements that respect the rights and safety of older people.   An Elder Mediator’s role is to facilitate a conversation between all parties involved to reach negotiated outcomes to any issues or disagreements in the best interest of the elderly family member.

All those involved in the process will meet the mediator individually to help the mediator understand the issues they and their family would like to discuss and resolve.  If after these meetings it is agreed that mediation is the best way forward, a suitable time will be made for everyone to get together for the mediation.  At the mediation, agreed topics will be discussed with opportunities provided for each person to speak about their concerns and issues and present options that best supports and resolves issues regarding the elderly person and their family.

Property Mediation

When a relationship ends a property settlement is often required. This is the settling of the division of assets between parties to a relationship. While mediation is not a requirement of the Family Court when filing for financial orders, it can be a helpful way to resolve any disputes around dividing property.

This can be a difficult and emotional process for many people and Mediation provides a safe environment for parties to have a conversation about dividing real estate, superannuation, assets and bank accounts with the assistance of an impartial mediator. It is a collaborative process whereby the mediator will assist you in option generation and negotiation to work toward achieving an agreement that both parties feel is fair and reasonable.

Negotiations would take into account what assets, liabilities and financial resources and limitations that parties have. This requires preparation by both parties prior to a mediation taking place. Parties would be required to gather documents relating to things like, but not limited to, assets and liabilities, valuations, bank and credit card statements, superannuation statements. Your mediator will guide you around preparation during your intake session.

It is important to seek independent legal advice before your mediation to understand what steps the court takes and how assets are distributed according to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth). This will enable you to prepare for the mediation to reach agreements by making fully informed decisions, with an understanding of what a Family Court outcome may look like.

Any agreements reached during mediation will be written up by the mediator and distributed to both parties. While this document is a record of the parties’ agreements, it is not a legally binding document, however parties may choose to make them legally binding through a legal process.

Other Mediation

WordCo also assists in various other matters that require mediation. Whether it be neighbouring disputes or small business issues, mediation affords parties a safe and neutral environment where parties can have their issues heard, identified and discussed in a respectful and meaningful way.

Our mediators are able to facilitate a conversation to generate options to seek mutually agreeable outcomes that meet the needs of both parties to the best of their ability, that are practical and workable.

Our mediators can not provide legal advice but can offer facilitative, early intervention that often dilutes conflict and enables parties to move forward maintaining a respectful relationship.