Resources
Preparation information for your mediation journey
A collection of external resources to help you navigate life post-separation.
Parenting Resources and websites
Educating yourself about how children respond to, and navigate life, post-separation is vital in being able to support your children and to reach an agreement which aligns with their age and stage of development. If you are hoping to reach an agreement about parenting matters, please click on the links below to assist your understanding.
https://www.ag.gov.au/families-and-marriage/children-and-family-law
https://www.circleofsecurityinternational.com/blogs/resources/tagged/parents
https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/in-focus-supporting-your-childs-wellbeing-during-a-separation-or-divorce/
https://raisingchildren.net.au/grown-ups/family-diversity/parenting-after-separation-divorce/helping-children-adjust-separation
Property and Financial Information
Understanding the ways that which your property and financial matters can be finalised can assist you to reach an agreement at the mediation.
https://www.ag.gov.au/families-and-marriage/publications/family-law-property-changes-10-june-2025-fact-sheet-separating-couples
https://www.ag.gov.au/families-and-marriage/publications/separating-debt-guide-your-legal-options
https://www.ag.gov.au/families-and-marriage/publications/guide-dividing-your-property-and-finances-after-separation
Family Dispute Resolution
Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners are accredited and regulated by the Attorney-General's Department. Please explore this website if you have any questions or concerns about Family Dispute Resolution or if you would like more information on the governing rules.
https://www.ag.gov.au/families-and-marriage/family-dispute-resolution
Domestic and Family Violence
If you are experiencing domestic and family violence, you are encouraged to seek support and further information from:
https://whiteribbon.org.au
The Day Itself
What the day looks like.
Mediations usually take a full day.
We meet at a neutral venue
- a mediation room or online.
I usually start the mediation with everyone in the same room. I make some opening remarks and go through the mediation structure again, as well as issues regarding confidentiality. From there, we will break out into separate rooms.
You'll be in one room with your lawyer. The other party will be in a separate room with theirs. I move between you, helping you work through the issues one by one.
Sometimes I bring people together. Sometimes I bring just lawyers together (if you have one). Sometimes I don't do joint sessions. It depends on what's needed. But you will always be informed of the structure as we go.
There are breaks. There's time to think. No one is rushed into a decision they're not ready to make.
By the end of the day, most people reach agreement. If not, we've usually narrowed the issues significantly - which means less time and cost if you do end up in court.
Before the day:
Email through the relevant documents to me that I have requested. Or your lawyers may jointly submit relevant documents to me. Think about what matters most to you - not just what you want, but why it matters. Read about how to support children after separation on reputable websites (see Resources tab). Consider where you might be willing to move and compromise. Understand that mediation isn't about evidence and proving each other wrong - it's about compromise so you can each move forward.
On the day:
There will be opportunities for you to speak to your lawyer separately and to take breaks. Mediation is a formal process, but it is not a Court process, so it is important you feel comfortable. If you have children or work commitments, think arranging alternate pick-up/drop-off arrangements or having someone else monitor your work emails or calls for urgent matters. It is important you are able to focus on the decisions to be made on the day. And positivity helps - mediation works more often than people expect.
Ready to talk?
If you're not sure whether mediation is right for your situation, I'm happy to talk it through. No obligation. Just a conversation.
