We maintain an office in Mornington Peninsula.
Family Dispute Resolution offers an opportunity for individuals navigating separation or divorce.
How?
Each individual must attend an intake and assessment session before any joint session. It’s essential to bring the following documents, if available:
These documents may also include:
If these documents are unavailable, Geoff recommends bringing any relevant documents to the joint family dispute resolution session.
Note:
Each party is responsible for the costs of their session.
At the end of the process, one party can pay the mediation costs included in the financial schedule of liabilities.
A joint session, where appropriate, is scheduled with Geoff or Bonnie for both parties of Family Dispute Resolution. Typically, this is a 3-hour session scheduled between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm. The session will continue unless terminated by either party or The FDRP, because it is no longer appropriate. Either party retains the right to terminate the joint session for any reason. In the case of a parenting plan, the other party can request a S60i Certificate to be issued, which they can take to their lawyer to initiate Family Court proceedings.
NB: If requested, we can have dual mediator Geoff conduct the mediation process if required or requested.
For the convenience of our clients, Geoff offers after-hours consultation sessions on weekends and weekdays. We are also available, particularly for shift workers or FIFO workers. Despite COVID health regulations locally and nationally, we continue to offer mediation services via face-to-face, Zoom, Skype, teleconferencing, video, and phone.
You can find the costs here. Additionally, we offer special mediation packages for parties committed to mediation and seeking solutions for the Agreement to move forward.
The Financial and property settlement FDR joint session aims to address
Both parties should have uploaded their supportive documents prior to the property mediation session. Full disclosure of documents is paramount to a successful session for consideration by both parties and are invited to discuss any other areas for the agreement. Issues may include, though are not limited to; children’s issues, child support, or moving forward to divorce.
A financial agreement needs to be carefully worded and written to consider a range of areas fully.
These areas include property, debt, spousal/child maintenance, child support, visitation, insurance, tax, and child support issues. This Agreement is not legally enforceable provided the parties receive independent legal advice and fulfill the signing requirements according to the Family Court. As an FDRP, Geoff will advise parties to seek independent legal advice before signing any final agreement. Either party can draft their separation agreement independently, with a solicitor, or with an experienced Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP).
Our clients choose Relationship Mediation Services to limit and reduce ongoing hostilities in an emotional decision such as divorce, however you can take the financial agreement to your lawyers and they can make the agreement into a financial binding agreement that would be enforceable through the Court.
Did you know that we offer referrals to Legal Practitioners? Yes, we do, as a commitment of our practice to the rules of fairness, unbiased, and neutral services.
Remember, an unsigned agreement reached during mediation is not legally binding. Should you require a legally binding agreement, you will need to seek legal advice.
At all times, Geoff encourages both parties to consult with a legal practitioner to receive legal advice as to the moving forward/ consent orders. Legal advice can only be given by a Legal Practitioner. We do have Legal Practitioners to whom we can give a referral should you require the same.