I can’t rate CK Lawyers enough. Walid and Sandra were so helpful and professional in helping me with my situation and went above and beyond to make things so easy. I highly recommend this team with all your legal needs. I will definitely use them again in the future with other matters.
Family Law Mediation & Family Dispute Resolution in Parramatta
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Family law mediation involves you and your former partner working to resolve any outstanding disputes with the help of a neutral third party, known as a Mediator or Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner.
Separated couples are generally required to attempt mediation for their family law disputes before initiating legal action in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Mediation can be used to reach agreements on a variety of issues, including parenting arrangements, property disputes, spousal maintenance, child support, or any other financial matters such as rent, living expenses, division of property, parenting time, decision-making responsibilities, and other concerns arising from your separation.
If you are considering mediation to help resolve your family law related matters, then we invite you to contact our highly experienced team.
Benefits of Family Law Mediation
Mediation is a highly effective alternative to court proceedings (litigation) and often offers greater benefits.
Many who have experienced the Family Court process express regret for not fully appreciating the value of mediation at the time.
Some of the key benefits include:
- Cost-Effective: Mediation is generally less expensive than going through the court process.
- Less Formal: It is a less intimidating and more relaxed environment compared to court.
- Quicker Resolution: Mediation typically resolves matters faster than waiting for court decisions.
- Improved Communication: It helps co-parents develop better communication and negotiation skills for the future.
- Greater Control: Mediation allows individuals to have more say over the outcome of their dispute, unlike in court, where a Judge makes the final decision.
What to Expect from Family Law Mediation
Here’s a general outline of what happens during family law mediation:
Initial Meeting: The mediator, along with you, your former partner, and your respective lawyers, will meet to go over what to expect from the mediation process (if this hasn’t been discussed prior to the mediation day).
Shuttle Mediation for Family Violence Cases: If there is a history of family violence, mediation often takes place using a shuttle method. This means the parties remain in separate rooms to prevent direct interaction, ensuring a fairer process and minimising any power imbalances that could lead to undesirable outcomes.
Traditional Mediation: If shuttle mediation isn’t required, everyone meets together—either in person or virtually via video conferencing. You’ll discuss your interests, brainstorm potential solutions, and work towards reaching an agreement. Having your family lawyer present during this process is invaluable, as they can provide on-the-spot advice about what to accept or decline.
Mediator’s Role: The mediator will move between the rooms, carrying offers and counter-offers back and forth until you and your former partner reach an agreement—or until the session concludes.
Reaching an Agreement: If an agreement is reached, the mediator and lawyers will prepare the necessary court documents to formalise the arrangement. Once signed, these documents can be filed with the Court and made into legally binding “consent orders.”
The Benefits of Having a Family Lawyer at Mediation
Engaging a family lawyer for your parenting or property mediation offers several advantages.
Our team can thoroughly prepare you for mediation, providing valuable insight into how the process works.
We guide you by advising on what the Court might view as an appropriate outcome, enabling you to make informed decisions about any offers presented during mediation.
Our expertise helps you evaluate proposals from the other side, ensuring that any agreement reached is in your best interests—and those of your children, if applicable.
Most importantly, our clients appreciate having us present during mediation sessions. We help you stay focused and grounded when emotions run high, offering peace of mind and clarity on how best to proceed.
CK Lawyers Mediation Services
Mediation can assist with reaching an agreement about a range of family law matters including:
- Parenting issues of where the children live and who makes which decisions as to children.
- Property Division – of all assets owned by both parties including Superannuation.
- Child Access Agreements.
- Spousal Maintenance Issues.
- Child Support Issues.
We also provide Legally Assisted Mediation Support. Our family lawyers are here to guide and support you throughout the mediation process, offering expert advice both in preparation for and during your mediation sessions.
Walid Kalouche
Walid Joseph Kalouche is a registered Mediator (Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner) since 2008 well respected by other family law professionals and is regularly sought out as a mediator for family law disputes.
Family Law Mediation FAQs
Generally, those present at a family law mediation include the mediator, the parties involved, their legal representatives (if invited), support persons (with the mediator’s approval), and any necessary interpreters.
The duration of a family law mediation depends on several factors, including the complexity of the issues, the level of conflict, the mediator and lawyers involved, and the willingness of both parties to reach an agreement.
Typically, mediation will last at least half a day to a full day. If there are multiple areas of dispute, such as parenting arrangements and property matters, separate mediation sessions may be needed, with each issue addressed on different days.
Mediation fees can vary, so it’s best to check directly with your mediator for current pricing.
The mediator (FDRP) will charge for:
- Intake assessment – this is between 30 mins to 1 hour per person to participate in the mediation.
- Mediation fee – the cost of conducting the mediation and this is usually per session of half day or full day. Sometimes multiple sessions are booked if there is apparent progress and goodwill between the parties in the mediation.
- Call us on 02 9687 6000 to book an initial consultation about mediation or to obtain a quote on the fees for your specific matter.