Family Dispute Resolution & Mediation for Leeton Families
Separation can leave you facing difficult questions about your children, your home and what happens next. If you are finding it hard to agree, mediation offers a structured way to talk through the issues, explore your options and work towards practical arrangements—without asking a court to make those decisions for you.
Northern Frontiers Mediation helps individuals and families in Leeton work through parenting, property and financial matters after separation. You can seek help with one specific issue or several matters, with appointments available by phone or video. Our flexible hourly approach allows sessions to be planned around the issues you need to discuss, and shuttle mediation is available where appropriate if direct communication is difficult.
Recently Separated? How Do We Sort Out Parenting and Property?
When a relationship ends, one of the first questions is often simply: what happens next?
Separating couples generally need to work through two different areas – arrangements for their children and the division of property and finances. These issues do not automatically have to be decided by a Court. Many separated families are able to reach their own arrangements directly, with legal advice, or with the assistance of mediation and Family Dispute Resolution.
If you are having difficulty agreeing about parenting arrangements, property, finances or both, Northern Frontiers can provide a structured mediation process where each party has an opportunity to explain what they are seeking, hear the other party’s proposals and explore whether practical agreement can be reached.
You do not need to have everything worked out before contacting us. The Intake & Assessment process is designed to identify the issues that need to be addressed and help determine whether mediation is an appropriate next step.
Where parenting matters are involved, accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners can also issue a section 60I certificate where the legislative requirements are met if the matter ultimately needs to progress to Court.
Parenting Mediation
Parenting Mediation and Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) provides a structured process in which an accredited FDR Practitioner and Mediator helps parents and other people concerned with a child’s care and welfare identify the issues in dispute, consider practical options and work towards arrangements that meet the needs of their children.
For parents in Leeton, mediation can address where children live, time spent with each parent, changeovers, communication between parents, schooling, health and medical decisions, holidays and special occasions, interstate or international travel and passports, relocation, extracurricular activities, cultural or religious matters and other practical parenting arrangements.
Can We Mediate Just One Specific Issue?
Yes. You do not need to have a long list of disputes to use mediation. Family Dispute Resolution can be particularly useful where most arrangements are working but one particular issue remains unresolved.
For example, parents may wish to mediate about a proposed change of school, holiday arrangements, a passport or overseas travel, changeover arrangements, relocation, communication or another clearly defined parenting issue. Property mediation can likewise be used to address a particular financial issue where appropriate.
A focused mediation can often be arranged around the main issue identified when the process begins. However, mediation involves both parties, and either participant may raise another matter they genuinely believe needs to be discussed. Both parties therefore need to be prepared to at least hear and consider the other party’s concerns or proposals, even where mediation was originally commenced to address one particular issue.
The Mediator can assist the parties to develop and manage the agenda so the session remains structured, relevant and productive.
Grandparent Mediation
Family separation and family conflict can affect grandparents as well as parents and children. In some families, grandparents who previously had a close and regular relationship with their grandchildren may suddenly find that contact has been reduced or stopped altogether.
Northern Frontiers provides a dedicated Grandparent Mediation service for families in Leeton to help grandparents, parents and other significant family members discuss arrangements involving children in a structured and respectful environment.
Grandparent mediation may assist with issues such as:
- spending time with grandchildren
- telephone or video contact
- visits during school holidays and special occasions
- rebuilding communication after family conflict
- practical arrangements where grandparents have previously provided significant care
- arrangements involving extended family members or kinship carers.
Grandparents and other people concerned with the care, welfare and development of a child may be able to participate in Family Dispute Resolution and, in some circumstances, seek parenting orders through the family law system.
Where appropriate, Northern Frontiers can contact and invite the relevant parent or other family member to participate in the mediation process.
Property & Financial Mediation
Northern Frontiers also provides Property & Financial Mediation for separated married and de facto couples in Leeton who need to work through the division of assets, liabilities and other financial matters.
Property mediation can include the family home, investment properties, mortgages, bank accounts, savings, superannuation, businesses, shares and investments, vehicles, loans, credit cards and other assets or liabilities.
Parties can identify the property pool, exchange proposals and explore whether agreement can be reached with the assistance of an impartial Mediator. Parenting and property issues can also be addressed within the same mediation process where appropriate.
A section 60I certificate does not apply to a property-only dispute. Property matters are subject to different pre-action requirements, and parties are generally expected to take genuine steps to try to resolve a financial or property dispute before asking the Court to determine it.
Northern Frontiers provides mediation and dispute resolution services but does not provide legal, taxation, accounting or financial advice. Parties are encouraged to obtain independent legal and financial advice where appropriate, particularly before finalising a property settlement.
Do I Have to Mediate Before Going to Court?
For parenting matters, the Family Law Act 1975 generally requires parties to make a genuine effort to resolve their dispute through Family Dispute Resolution before applying for parenting orders, unless a specific exemption applies. If you believe an exemption may apply to your circumstances, you should obtain legal advice or contact the Court about the applicable requirements.
If Family Dispute Resolution is assessed as unsuitable, does not proceed, or mediation does not resolve the parenting dispute, an accredited FDRP may be able to issue a section 60I certificate where the applicable legislative requirements are met.
A section 60I certificate is not automatically issued simply because one party requests one. The FDR Practitioner must determine whether a certificate can appropriately be issued and which certificate category applies.
Need to Invite the Other Party to Mediation?
You can begin the Family Dispute Resolution process even if you are unsure whether the other party will agree to participate.
The first step is to complete your own Intake & Assessment session with an accredited FDR Practitioner/Mediator. If the matter is suitable to progress, Northern Frontiers can then contact and formally invite the other party to participate in the FDR process.
If the other party agrees, they complete their own individual Intake & Assessment session before mediation is arranged.
If the other party refuses to participate, does not respond after the required contact attempts have been made, or the FDR Practitioner determines that mediation is not appropriate, the practitioner can then assess whether a section 60I certificate can be issued.
A section 60I certificate is not automatic or guaranteed. The accredited FDR Practitioner must follow the applicable requirements and use their professional judgement when determining whether a certificate can be issued and which certificate category applies.
What if the Other Party Will Not Participate?
If the other party refuses to participate or does not respond, the next step will depend on the type of dispute and the particular circumstances.
For parenting matters, a section 60I certificate may be available where the applicable requirements have been met.
For property-only matters, Northern Frontiers can also provide evidence that mediation or another dispute resolution process was undertaken or attempted where required. Further information about the applicable fee is available on our Pricing page.
If a full mediation process cannot proceed, you may also wish to consider our Parenting Proposal Preparation or Property Proposal Preparation service. These services allow one party to develop a clear written proposal that can be provided to the other party or their legal adviser for consideration.
If you are considering mediation for your family in Leeton, contact Northern Frontiers to discuss the next step. You do not need to have agreement from the other party before making an initial enquiry. Current fees are available on our Pricing page.
Parenting & Property Mediation Leeton: FREE 15 Minute Consultation
How Does the Mediation Process Work?
Northern Frontiers uses a staged mediation process so the Mediator/FDRP can understand each participant’s circumstances, identify the issues in dispute and assess whether mediation is appropriate.
- Enquiry and booking – Reception provides information and arranges the initiating party’s formal Intake & Assessment session.
- First intake – the initiating party completes an individual phone session with the FDRP/Mediator to discuss the dispute, proposed mediation agenda and relevant circumstances.
- Invitation and second intake – where appropriate, the other party is invited to complete their own individual Intake & Assessment session.
- Mediation – if the matter is assessed as suitable, a joint or shuttle mediation session can be arranged. Shuttle mediation can also be conducted without direct voice or visual contact between the parties where either participant requests this or the Mediator considers it appropriate.
- Outcome – where agreement is reached, Northern Frontiers will prepare a Record of Parenting Agreement and/or Record of Property Agreement. If agreement is not reached in a parenting matter, a section 60I certificate may be issued where the applicable requirements are met.
Anger Management & Related Support
Where anger, communication difficulties or behavioural concerns are contributing to family conflict, Northern Frontiers also provides an individual Anger Management Program for adults in Leeton. The program is available Australia-wide by phone or video and is conducted one-on-one.
A Letter of Completion can be requested following completion where required for a family law, criminal law or other matter.
Clients may also choose to complete our two-session DV Awareness Program and/or Parenting After Separation Awareness Program where these additional programs are relevant to their circumstances.
These programs are separate from the mediation and Family Dispute Resolution process and can be undertaken independently or in addition to the Anger Management Program.
Why Choose Northern Frontiers?
Northern Frontiers provides private Family Dispute Resolution and mediation for families in Leeton and across Australia, with a focus on practical, timely and personalised service.
Clients choose Northern Frontiers for:
- accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners and Mediators
- prompt Intake & Assessment appointments
- parenting and property matters that can be addressed within the same mediation process where appropriate
- focused mediation for one particular issue where appropriate
- joint or shuttle mediation options, including mediation with no direct contact between the parties
- phone and video appointments Australia-wide
- section 60I certificates where the legislative requirements are met
- clear and upfront fees published on our Pricing page
- Records of Parenting and Property Agreement where agreement is reached
- Parenting Proposal Preparation and Property Proposal Preparation where mediation cannot proceed or assistance is still required preparing a proposal
- related Anger Management, DV Awareness and Parenting After Separation programs where additional support is appropriate.
Flexible Mediation – Pay for the Time You Need
Northern Frontiers does not require parties to book a half-day or full-day mediation package.
Instead, mediation sessions are scheduled for a practical length based on the issues to be discussed and the parties' intention to participate constructively and work towards resolution. Current mediation fees are charged on an hourly basis, giving parties greater flexibility over the length and cost of the session.
A straightforward or focused dispute may not require hours of unnecessary mediation. More complex parenting or property matters can be allocated additional time where this is genuinely needed.
Our approach is to allow enough time for both parties to be heard, proposals to be properly explored and realistic negotiations to occur – without automatically requiring clients to commit to a half-day or full-day session.
Current Intake & Assessment, mediation and administration fees are available on our Pricing page.
Do We Have to Mediate Face-to-Face?
No. Mediation can be held by phone or video, and the Mediator will consult both parties about their preferred format.
Where appropriate, shuttle mediation allows the Mediator to communicate separately with each participant without requiring the parties to have direct voice or visual contact.
The FDRP/Mediator must assess whether mediation is suitable for the particular circumstances. A matter may be assessed as unsuitable, or the Mediator may stop the process at any time if it is no longer appropriate to continue.
Our phone and video service is available to individuals and families in Leeton and the surrounding area. You can participate from a suitable private location without travelling to a mediation venue.
Is Mediation Confidential?
Family Dispute Resolution conducted by an accredited FDRP is generally confidential, and most things said during FDR cannot be used as evidence in Court. The confidentiality and admissibility rules for property mediation may differ from those applying to parenting FDR.
Important legal exceptions apply, including some circumstances involving risk of harm, child abuse, threats or violence. Your FDRP/Mediator will explain confidentiality and its limits during the Intake & Assessment process.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
There is no requirement to have a lawyer present in order to participate in Northern Frontiers Mediation. Most parties are comfortable participating themselves with the assistance of the Mediator.
We do, however, encourage parties to obtain independent legal advice before mediation where appropriate and, for property matters, to obtain suitable financial or other professional advice where required.
Where appropriate, parties may also choose Lawyer Assisted Mediation, allowing their legal advisers to participate in the mediation process and provide advice during negotiations.
What Happens if We Reach Agreement?
Where agreement is reached, Northern Frontiers will prepare a Record of Parenting Agreement and/or Record of Property Agreement setting out the matters mutually agreed during mediation.
The Mediator records the agreement in clear, practical language rather than preparing a legal document on behalf of either party. A Record of Agreement is not automatically a Court order or legally binding property settlement. Parties should obtain independent legal advice about whether and how their agreement should be formally documented.
What if We Don’t Reach Agreement?
Not every mediation results in agreement on every issue. This should not necessarily be viewed as a failure, as even partial agreement can narrow the matters that remain in dispute.
Mediation can also help each party understand what the other is seeking and clearly communicate their own proposals. In some cases, this identifies whether further negotiation is worthwhile or whether Court proceedings may ultimately be necessary.
Even where full agreement is not reached, mediation can save considerable time and cost by identifying the real issues in dispute rather than having those positions exchanged over an extended period through solicitors.
For parenting matters, an accredited FDRP may issue a section 60I certificate where appropriate and the applicable requirements have been met. For property matters, parties may wish to obtain legal advice about their next steps.
If some issues remain unresolved, legal advice can help you understand your next steps. The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia lists Wagga Wagga as a court location. Your legal adviser or the Court can confirm the arrangements that apply to your matter.
How Soon Can I Start?
Northern Frontiers is a private mediation service and aims to progress matters promptly.
Intake & Assessment appointments are generally available within 2–3 business days of your initial enquiry. Once both participants have completed their Intake & Assessment sessions and the matter is suitable to proceed, mediation can generally be arranged promptly, subject to the availability of both parties and the Mediator.
If you have an upcoming Court date, travel commitments or another genuine time-sensitive issue, please tell Reception when you first enquire so this can be taken into account when arranging appointments.
How Much Does Mediation Cost?
Northern Frontiers publishes current Intake & Assessment, mediation, administration and related fees on our Pricing page.
We recommend reviewing the current pricing and applicable service conditions before confirming a booking.
Contact Northern Frontiers
Got a question or three?
Contact our Reception team to confidentially discuss your situation or find out more about any of our services.
There is no obligation to make a booking. If you are simply researching your options or are unsure which service is right for you, we are happy to answer your questions.
Northern Frontiers provides mediation and behavioural awareness programs Australia-wide by phone and video.
Call: 1300 90 81 70
Text or call: 0419 531 269
Email: reception@northernfrontiers.com.au
You can also send us a message using the enquiry form or use the online chat function on this webpage. Your enquiry will be treated confidentially. Please do not include highly sensitive information in the enquiry form.
Phone
+1300 90 81 70
Mobile: 0419 531 269 (text or call)
LiveChat: If you have any questions about our services and don't have time to ring or email, feel free to use the online chat function (bottom right of this page).
Reception Opening Hours
Mon-Fri: 7.30 am – 8.00 pm. Last-minute sessions available for urgent matters. Text message 0419 531 269 for the fastest response.