Family Mediation

When a relationship breaks down and a couple separates, ongoing challenges and conflict can remain present for some time.

There are many things that need resolving in relation to property settlement, care of the children and financial issues.

During and after separation, it is important that children and adolescents are supported in a loving and caring environment and family mediation is a positive and supportive process to achieve this. With the recent changes to the Family Law Act, all parties are required to attend mediation prior to any settlement process.

Family mediation is a positive, effective and cost effective way of working through unresolved issues during and after separation or divorce. Couples are provided with a caring, positive and professional environment where they are assisted to find solutions.

Amovita Consulting offers mediation for individual parties, couples and families in a number of situations. Our mediators are experienced Dispute Resolution Practitioners (FDRP’s) who under the Family Law Act 1975 can issue S60I certificates upon completion of the mediation process.

Family mediation is increasingly being utilised for issues including:

• Issues between a parent and child
• Disagreements over the care of older or ill family members
• Conflicts between parents and grandparents
• Family conflict resulting in homelessness
• Property settlement
• Care of children after separation
• Financial issues
• Parental responsibilities

Families are increasingly taking more of a proactive and positive approach in resolving issues during and after separation rather than going through the legal system, which can be costly and further impacts emotionally on the individual, couple and family. Mediation is timely and you don’t have to wait weeks or months to have your issues heard and resolved and your Certificate S60I issued.

Why Use Mediation?

• It is very cost effective
• You can focus on what is really important
• Your issues are prioritised and resolved
• More relaxed and positive environment
• You decide for you and your situation
• Confidential to the extent prescribed by law

Alternative Dispute Resolution for Families

As a result of changes to the Family Law Act, alternative dispute resolution is now required before a couple attends court to finalise matters relating to children. Our Dispute Resolution Practitioners are here to assist you with conducting your mediation in order to resolve any issues and assist you with drawing up a Parenting Plan and resolving any matters relating to children.

Pre-Mediation and Assessment Meeting

Before a mediation takes place the Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner will meet with both parties individually to introduce themselves and explain the mediation process. We also talk to you about Parenting Plans and how the mediation session will run. We also assess your situation to ensure that your situation is suitable for mediation. If it is not we can refer to you to an alternative option.

We also explore with you about what you are seeking out of mediation. We ask you to set aside approximately 4 hours for your mediation session to ensure there is adequate time allowed. We will also take you through our mediation agreement and this is signed prior to the mediation commencing.

Mediation Sessions

Mediation sessions are arranged to suit both parties. A mediation can take place with both parties in the same room or with parties in separate rooms with the mediator moving between the two rooms. This is referred to as a shuttle mediation. A mediation can also take place with one or both parties on the telephone. Your individual needs will be discussed at the Pre-Mediation and Assessment meeting.

Once your agreement is reached in the mediation session we can assist you with a written agreement.

If you do not attend

It is important that both parties engage in the whole mediation process positively and focus on the needs of any children involved, so we ask that both parties ensure they respond to any correspondence in a timely manner. If one party does not attend the mediation the Practitioner can on certain occasions issue a Certificate S60I based on the party not attending. There is a cost incurred for preparing and issuing the Certificate.

Post Mediation Session

When the mediation session is completed, the Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner can issue a S 60I Certificate at the request of one or both parties. There is a cost incurred for preparing and issuing the Certificate.

Fee Schedule

Please contact us for our fee schedule listing which includes the intake and assessment meeting, our single or co-mediations, pre mediations and review mediation meetings.

Our fee schedule is charged at an hourly rate with a minimum of four hours plus preparation.

Parties usually pay one half of the total mediation costs.

So how can Amovita Consulting help?

Amovita provides mediation as an alternative to the legal process to reach an outcome for you and your family. We specialise in working with separated and divorced couples who wish to engage in mediation to resolve parenting issues and ensure they have a Parenting Plan that focuses on their children’s best interests

There are many benefits of choosing Amovita for your family mediation

• You can choose to have one or two mediators
• The mediators are impartial
• Our mediators are fully accredited and professionally trained in the area of mediation and family dispute resolution
• Our mediators are registers with the Attorney General’s Department as Child Inclusive Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners
• Our mediations are held in a professional and positive environment
• Our mediators are authorised to issue S60I Certificates under the Family Law Act 1975
• We provide mediation services to suit your schedule – after hours and weekends
• Our mediation fee schedule is very cost effective
• Our first initial meeting is at a reduced fee
• We can tailor a mediation schedule of a package of hours to suit your needs
• You can then have your agreement drawn up by your legal representative

Click here to view the Family Mediation factsheet and contact Amovita today to arrange for mediation.