What To Expect?
In accordance with Australian law, it is mandatory for separated families to attempt family and divorce dispute resolution before the case is presented to the court for parenting orders. If you are still a little confused about the entire mediation process, then simply take a look at the information below.
During the mediation process, a mediator will serve as a neutral third party to help resolve your family law dispute. Their role is to be unbiased in the proceedings and ensure that the primary objectives of the mediation are met.
The mediator will be someone who is accredited in mediation and who understands alternative dispute resolution practises. They use their specialist training in order to facilitate productive negotiations between disputing parties where they otherwise might not be possible.
First and foremost, any children involved in the matter are to be the mediator’s top priority. Some matters will involve just two people, whereas others will be more complex, involving immediate and extended family members.
If the dispute involves family violence or some form of child abuse, then the court may see it fit to bypass the mediation process and go straight to trial. This is because such cases are viewed as being more serious in nature and therefore require an urgent resolution.
Breaking down mediation
Naturally, the family law system encourages families to resolve their dispute within a mediation setting. If a court hearing can be avoided, then that is definitely preferable. At O’Sullivan Mediation, we can help in a variety of ways, including:
- mediating discussions between the parents/guardians (general discussions)
- the division of assets and liabilities between relevant parties
- attending to financial support if children are involved
- long-term parenting arrangements regarding the welfare of any children involved
Benefits of pursuing the mediation process
The mediation process is beneficial for a wide variety of reasons, including:
- Focus on the future and not on the past leads to constructive outcomes
- No attribution of blame
- Avoidance of adversarial and costly legal battles
- A greater level of control over the entire process
- Allows for more specific and creative solutions that suit all parties
So, if you’re in need of effective family law mediation solutions, make sure you get in contact with the experts at O’Sullivan Mediation.