CHILDREN AND PARENTING MEDIATION AFTER SEPARATION

Needing to make arrangements for your children?

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Making arrangements for your children can be emotionally charged and possibly one of the biggest challenges you will face. Ideally after relationship breakdown parents move past the hurt they have experienced to redefine their relationship as co-parents in the best interests of their children. Naturally this is easier said than done.

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What is our Philosophy?

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At Empower Mediations we think that Family Dispute Resolution is an opportunity for people to be empowered to create a co-parent alliance. This helps parents to move forward and feel fulfilled, and importantly care for their children in a nurturing and secure environment. We have the expertise to help parents to get the most out of Family Dispute Resolution for their children. We support, coach and guide parents to communicate effectively and engage in creative problem-solving to create a practical child-focused parenting agreement. Family Dispute Resolution is a tool for parents who are newly separated, and those whose current arrangement needs revision, to meet their children's needs.

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Family Dispute Resolution is also a useful process for family members, other than parents, to negotiate being part of children's lives. Here the focus on is ensuring that children have a meaningful relationship with people who are important to them and their well-being.

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What topics are commonly discussed in Family Dispute Resolution?

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• The time that children will spend with different people (parents and family members).

• How children will have a meaningful relationship with their parents and other people of importance to them (for example, grandparents, step-parents and half-siblings).

• How parents will make important decisions for their children. For example, their schooling, health and extra-curricular activities.

• Whether a parent can move to another geographic location with their children (within Australia or overseas).

• Financial support for children.

• Surrogacy arrangements and egg, sperm and embryo donation.

 

Who can attend Family Dispute Resolution?

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• Parents of children.

• Other family members, for example, grandparents, step-parents or any extended family member seeking to have a relationship with children.

• Potential parents, including surrogates, sperm donors and egg donors.

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Is Family Dispute Resolution compulsory?

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The Family Law system favours parenting arrangements made by parents. People are required to attend Family Dispute Resolution and make a 'genuine effort' to resolve issues, including the time that children will spend with each parent, before they can apply to the court for a parenting order. There are exceptions to this, and we will determine if any apply during your confidential and individual mediation intake session. Where an exception applies, or if the other parent does not wish to attend mediation, we can issue a section 60(i) certificate which will enable you to proceed to court if you wish to. During court proceedings a judge may also order people to attempt Family Dispute Resolution.

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What if we reach an agreement?

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If you can reach a parenting agreement, then it can take the form of a ‘parenting plan’ (a document recording your agreement which both parents commit to) or be drafted as a ‘consent order’ (which is legally binding).

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