We understand that you will be frustrated and confused by separation. Let us guide you through.
The process of separation is confusing. Let us be the middleman.
We can help you make a plan in your children’s best interests, with limited contact with your former partner.
Family Dispute Resolution is the formal name for Family Mediation. It is a very effective way of solving disputes. You make the decisions that work for your family.
Who This Works For
If you think you can put your differences aside with your former partner to discuss what is best for your children.
When asked why you separated, you said a version of one of the following things:
- I fell out of love with them
- We get on OK, but there’s no romance anymore
- We were more like flat mates than partners
- I still want the best for them
In other words, you still have some level of respect for each other and are reasonably amicable.
If you feel like this, our Guided Parenting Plans are likely to work for you.
Who This Doesn’t Work For
When asked why you separated, you said a version of one of the following things:
- My former partner is a *** (insert range of swear words here)
- I finally got away after wanting to leave for ages (if there is Family Violence in any format.)
In other words, there is no respect left between you and your former partner and most conversations end up in an argument.
We can still help you, but suggest you go directly to our Traditional Mediation Path. Additionally, you should see a Solicitor to get appropriate legal advice.
How Do Our Guided Parenting Plans Work?
One parent contacts us.
We obtain your contact details and your former partner’s details.
We contact the other parent to see if they want to participate in the Guided Parenting Plan process.
We send a Mediation / Guided Parenting Plan Agreement and an invoice, and each parent pays the $1200 flat fee.
Each parent is sent a link for a Risk Assessment known as the Family Doors Program.
Initial Consultation
Our mediator will have a Zoom or Phone Call with you. (Your former partner will not be involved.) You will be asked background questions as to the reasons for the separation, the current arrangements for the children, and your ideal outcome for a Parenting Plan. (You need to understand that this is a negotiation, and you are unlikely to receive everything you wish for.)
This Consultation Focuses On:
- The circumstances for the separation.
- How the children are currently coping.
- Communication between the parents (both in the past and currently).
- Any risk factors identified in the Family Doors Questionnaire.
- Other parents’ strengths.
- Ideal outcomes for the future.
- Any other issues that either parent wants to raise.
We will go through a series of scenarios with you to gain an understanding of your view of the other parent. This assists us to comprehend the level of conflict.
The mediator will then have a similar initial consultation with the other parent to find their point of view.
After the initial consultation, you will be directed into one of two paths.
Path 1 Guided Parenting Plan
A first draft will be sent to the initiating parent for comments and any changes that may need to be made. These comments will then be incorporated and sent to the other parent for their views. This draft is based on what each parent has told the mediator in the initial consultation.
Up to three drafts will be sent from each parent to the mediator. You will have no direct written or verbal contact with your former partner during this stage. The mediator will relay messages between the two parents.
Any subsequent drafts (after the three) will be charged to the party requesting the change at $100 + GST per draft.
Points of Agreement will be highlighted and saved throughout the draft process for the final Parenting Plan Document.
Once there is agreement in all areas, the document will be sent for Final Signatures. Once both parents have signed, the Parenting Plan comes into effect immediately.
We can send the Parenting Plan to your Solicitor to have it drawn up into consent orders. The solicitor will then charge their own fees.
If there is an agreement for most areas but there are one or two “sticking points,” a zoom meeting will occur where the parents discuss those areas only.
Once agreement has been made in all areas, signatures are added, and the Parenting Plan becomes effective immediately. (We use an e-signing program.)
(If there is a major disagreement, such as where the child will live or a significant difference in the time that each parent wants to spend with the child, we will generally advise parents participate in traditional mediation.)
If the mediator identifies that the separating couple is not suitable for our Guided Parenting Plan, we will advise that we enter into a traditional mediation. We generally advise that each party sees a solicitor prior to that mediation. The solicitor is welcome to join the mediation via Zoom to advise each parent throughout. Some couples decide to have a consult with the solicitor, then attend the mediation without a solicitor. That is up to you.
