Mediation
Mediation

The Top 4 benefits of Family Mediation

Family Mediation can help families resolve disputes through the assistance of a neutral third party, known as a family mediator. Your mediator helps you reach a mutually acceptable resolution. This process is often used in family law cases because it is usually a more cost-effective and time-efficient alternative to traditional litigation. Additionally, mediation can be a less adversarial and less stressful way to resolve disputes, which can be especially important in the emotionally charged context of family law cases. In this blog post, we explore the Top 4 benefits of family mediation 1. Family Mediation is cost-effective One of the […]

child inclusive family mediation benefits children
Child inclusive mediation, Mediation

Child-inclusive family mediation: the benefits for children

Child-inclusive family mediation is a form of parenting mediation or family dispute resolution that involves children in the conflict resolution process. This can be especially useful in family law cases where children’s well-being and best interests are a primary concern. What benefits does child-inclusive mediation offer for children? Expressing thoughts and feelings Children are often affected by their parents’ conflicts and may have thoughts and feelings about the situation. Child-inclusive family mediation allows children to have a voice in the resolution process and can help them feel heard and understood, whilst also explaining to them that they do not have […]

Benefits of Parenting Coordination
Parenting, Parenting Coordination

Parenting coordination: the top 4 benefits for your family

Parenting coordination is a process in which a neutral third party helps parents resolve conflicts and make decisions about their children after a divorce. It can be a helpful tool for improving outcomes for children in several ways. Here are the top 4 reasons to consider parenting coordination for your family post-separation or divorce. 1. Parenting coordination helps reduce conflict between parents Parenting coordination helps parents communicate more effectively and resolve conflicts in a healthy, constructive way. This can create a more stable and less stressful environment for children, which is beneficial for their emotional and psychological development. 2. It […]

Do mothers have more rights than fathers in australian family law
Child inclusive mediation, Parenting

Do Mothers have more rights than Fathers in Australia?

Sometimes fathers feel like mothers have more rights than fathers in Australia’s family law system.  But the truth is, unlike some other countries, there is no gender bias in the Family Law Act.  The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia are required to make orders that are in the best interests of children, regardless of the parent’s gender or sexual orientation. What rights do fathers have in Australian family law? Fathers don’t have rights in Australian family law. But nor do mothers.  Yes, you read that right!   The way our family law system is structured, it is children who […]

win win outcome mediation
Mediation

How to get a win-win outcome in Mediation

People often talk about the goal of achieving a win-win outcome in mediation.  But is it really possible and if so, how? Win-win outcomes vs splitting the difference In some mediations, a win-win outcome is seen as splitting the difference.  For example, in a parenting mediation if one party wants the children to spend 7 nights with them every fortnight and the other wants it to be 5 nights, compromising on 6 nights is splitting the difference. In a property mediation, if one party wants $100,000 and the other is offering $200,000, settling on $150,000 is splitting the difference. Why […]

Christmas school holidays
Child inclusive mediation, Mediation, Parenting

Christmas school holidays parenting deadline

The Christmas school holidays can be exciting times for families.  But if you haven’t been able to work out how the kids will spend time with each parent over Christmas, it can also be stressful.  How can I get time with my kids over the Christmas holidays? Each year, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia deal with applications for parenting time.  And each year, they set a deadline of the second Friday in November for an application to be filed for the Christmas school holidays.  If you don’t file by then, you miss the deadline and may not […]

empty classroom
COVID 19 Coronavirus, Parenting

School holidays extended due to COVID. Who gets the extra time with the kids?

With the Queensland school holidays extended and the return to school delayed due to the high rates of COVID in the state, many separated parents are faced with working out who will have the care of the children during those extra one or two weeks.   The answer about what to do will depend on a range of factors If you do not have Orders or a Parenting Plan who gets the extra time with the children? If you have a reasonably amicable co-parenting relationship then you and your co-parent will hopefully be able to work this out without too much […]

COVID19 Coronavirus co-parenting challenges
COVID 19 Coronavirus, Mediation, Parenting, Parenting Coordination

Co-parenting during COVID19 Coronavirus

Co-parenting can bring its challenges. The current COVID19 Coronavirus sweeping the globe is something that seems unlikely to improve a co-parenting relationship.But we don’t think it necessarily has to be that way. Coronavirus presents challenges for co-parenting Some co-parents are struggling right now. What do you do if one parent has to go into self-isolation? Do you still have changeover between the parents? What if there are immune-compromised grandparents who could be put at risk? If you have parenting orders in place, you must follow them unless you have a ‘reasonable excuse’. There is no definition of ‘reasonable excuse’ – […]