Family and Relationships Mediation

Separation is never easy.   

Talking to your ex is especially difficult when you first split up. 

If you have kids there are lots of things to sort out. Both of you will want to stay close to the children and have a lot of involvement in their day to day lives, but it is often difficult to reach agreement because of all the hurt, pain and anger that is normal at the time of separation.

Even if you and your partner got along fairly well in the past, conversations about the kids and money can result in arguments.  In some cases, communication can completely break down, making it seem impossible to move forward. 

Mediation can help. 

What is Mediation?

At it’s simplest, mediation is a chat assisted by a neutral, independent and professional mediator - about the children, splitting up the assets and how you and the kids are going to manage financially.   

Mediators work with couples involved in family breakdown to help them communicate and agree on arrangements.

Mediators can help you reach agreement about how much time you are each going to have with the kids, how the assets are going to be split and lots of other things as well.

Mediation is designed to save you the cost and distress of having to go to Court.  The court process is expensive with long delays.   It is also highly stressful.  Naturally, it is to be avoided if at all possible. 

How does Mediation work?

Usually one member of the separating couple will decide he / she wants to mediate and their chosen mediation service can then invite the other person to mediate.

Each of you will first up attend an introductory session with the mediator to help you feel comfortable with the mediator and the process.  This session also helps the mediator to understand both sides of the story. 

Each intake normally takes one hour and the mediation itself will usually takes at least half a day.

Mediation provides an opportunity for each of you to put forward your point of view and to be heard by each other in a safe environment. Mediation can help you express feelings without this leading  to arguments, as the mediator will encourage both of you to listen quietly whilst the other is speaking.

The mediator  may, according to his or her training and experience, explain legal principles and possible court outcomes as well as the benefits or disadvantages of various options.

At the end of the mediation, if agreement is reached, the mediator will help you write up a document reflecting the agreement, or if lawyers are present, the lawyers will normally do this.

It is always your right at the end of a mediation to ask to receive legal advice (if your lawyer is not present) before you sign.  Most people who attend mediation do not, however, request this.

Mediation  is the preferred option to use when you split up as it encourages and enables you to maintain amicable relationships with each other into the future.  This is especially important when you have children to consider. After all, they will be your babies as long as you are alive! They want the two of you to be able to get along - at least to the extent needed to make them feel comfortable when they are around you both.

Contact us at Brisbane Mediations

EMAIL resolve@brisbanemediations.com.au

PHONE 07 3839 7400