fbpx
Affordable Family Law Mediation service Australia-wide

Family Law Mediation

Northern Frontiers provides affordable Family Law Mediation services that assist parties to reach agreement about disputed parenting and/or property matters.

Parties are encouraged to work through their differences with the assistance of our experienced Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners (FDRPs / Mediators). Our Parenting & Property Mediation Services are available Australia-wide, and we understand regional and remote Australia because we have mediators based here. No need to make the expensive and time-consuming trip to other towns or areas.  Family Law Mediation clients can mediate from the comfort of their own home, or any comfortable and private space you prefer (including your lawyer’s office).

Click here for further information on our Parenting Mediation services.

Click here for further information on our Property Mediation services.

Reaching agreement through mediation, as opposed to only solicitors, legal and court channels, can save both parties considerable time and money. Instead of a full court process that can take 1 -2 years, Northern Frontiers Parenting & Property Mediation Cairns can complete an entire mediation process in 2 – 3 weeks when both parties make their time available.  Northern Frontiers Cairns clients have access to phone and videochat (Zoom, MS Teams, Skype) methods. The desired result of mediation is either a Record of Parenting Agreement, and/or a Record of Property Agreement. These agreements can be provided to your legal advisers (if you have one) and they can assist with you formalising them.  This is done by applying to the Family Law Courts to have them become orders/made binding.

Family Law Mediation: FREE 15 Minute Consultation

For all Parenting & Property Mediation enquiries, please contact 1300 90 81 70, call or text message 0419 531 269, email reception@northernfrontiers.com.au,  or use the LiveChat feature at the bottom right of this webpage.

Family separation can be a time of great stress and uncertainty – especially for children.

Northern Frontiers Parenting Mediation Cairns understands that what children need most is Routine, Reliability and Regularityas well as happy parents. Ongoing parental conflict is the number one risk factor in terms of children’s long-term mental health and well-being.  Separated families who disagree about a parenting issue/s are legally required to make a genuine effort to resolve their differences through a formal Parenting Mediation process.  This is required to be done before asking a court to decide (exemptions apply). Family Law Mediation is a common, inexpensive form of dispute resolution.  Northern Frontiers Parenting & Property Mediation Cairns allows you to do this from your chosen comfortable place (home, friend, lawyer’s office etc).

Northern Frontiers Mediation Cairns offers a range of family law mediation services via phone and videoconferencing (Zoom, MS Teams and Skype) platforms Australia-wide.  We pride ourselves on providing friendly child-focused parenting and property mediation services.  Mediation helps restore family stability and minimise the risk to children’s health and well-being by assisting to develop a practical parenting plan.

Is my matter suitable for Family Law Mediation?

Anything to do with parenting and property issues as a result of separation can be suitable for mediation.  Parties are asked to list their individual agenda items for mediation, and our experienced Northern Frontiers Cairns’ mediators will assist in generating parenting and property agreements. Example agenda items include (but not limited to): choice of child’s school; extracurricular activities; time spent with each parent; communication between parents; healthcare choices; choice of surname; parental relocation with or without the child/ren; rules around re-partnering; cultural issues; religious issues, and international travel (including disputes of passport applications) etc.

Do you assist with property matters post-separation?

Yes, of course.  Northern Frontiers Property Mediation Cairns can assist with a structured property mediation process.  As per our accreditation with the Federal Attorney General’s office, we are required to follow the following steps in resolving property matters:

  • Review and agree on contributions made by both parties when starting the relationship
  • Review the contributions made by both parties during the relationship (that is, primary income earners, primary child carers and household keepers etc).
  • Identify each asset and liability that forms part of the property pool.
  • Provide a safe and confidential environment in which to discuss proposals about how to divide and/or distribute the property pool fairly and equitably.

Once agreement is reached our mediators are then required to document this agreement in a Record of Property Agreement.  This document can then be provided to a solicitor who can assist with drafting the required paperwork to apply to court for final orders (Including Binding Financial Agreements).

Who can start a Parenting Mediation process?

Anyone with an ongoing interest in the care and well-being of a child can initiate family law mediation process here at Northern Frontiers Parenting Mediation Cairns.  This includes parents (regardless of marital status or length of relationship); stepparents; grandparents, other extended family members and significant others.

Who can start a Property Mediation process?

Either party can commence a mediation process here at Northern Frontiers Property Mediation Cairns.  If you are on OK communication terms with your ex-partner, you can advise them you have started a mediation process, otherwise, just leave it to our professional staff to make contact and provide all relevant (but not confidential) information to the other party.  It is then up to the other party to decide if they join or not, but once a process is commenced a s60I certificate can be requested if one party refuses to join.

Is Parenting & Property Mediation expensive?

Northern Frontiers Mediation Cairns is not government funded, but we attempt wherever possible to keep our pricing to a minimum.  Typically, experienced Family Law solicitors will charge between $400 – $700 per hour, and one solicitor cannot represent both parties.  At Northern Frontiers Parenting & Property Mediation Cairns, we charge from $175 per hour per party for a joint mediation session.  This means that the more agreement you can reach through the mediation process, the more time and money you can save.  As a private mediation service provider, we offer streamlined processes that offer personalised, prompt and affordable services to you.  For a full breakdown of our mediation costs click the following links to review our brochures:

Click here for further information on our Parenting Mediation services.

Click here for further information on our Property Mediation services.

Still have questions?  See below, or call 1300 90 81 70 or text message 0419 531 269 now for your free 15 minute consultation.

What is Family Dispute Resolution?
It’s really just a specialised form of family mediation.

Family law in Australia has undergone a number of changes in recent decades, with the introduction of compulsory mediation for separated families being one of the most notable. Put simply, separated families who cannot reach agreement around a child matter are now legally required to make a genuine effort to resolve their dispute through family law mediation before asking a court to decide things for them (exceptions apply). Of relevance to this requirement is the fact that the overriding principles of family law legislation are now grounded in the rights of the child and the responsibilities of parents and care providers.

Mediation offers a neutral space in which parents and care-providers can discuss parenting and property issues with a view to developing a Parenting Plan or Property Agreement that best meets the changing needs of their family.

Family law mediators (also known as Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners) are legally obligated to remain impartial, provide information about family separation and create an environment in which parents and care-providers can speak openly and honestly about their family situation. All that is said in mediation remains confidential and cannot be used as evidence in any court in Australia (exceptions apply).

Mediation basically offers a way for families to remain in control of their family’s future.

Payment information for Family Law Mediation sessions

Unless advised prior it is assumed that both parties pay their own costs of the mediation process at Northern Frontiers Pty Ltd.  Pre-payment for any booked sessions is required at least two days prior to a session.  If more than 2 (two) business days notice is not given for cancellation, or there is a “No Show”, a 100% charge applies with no credits provided.  If you have booked a session as part of the Family Law Mediation process, funds are not refunded for any time that is not used during a joint mediation session, for whatever reason.  It is at the discretion of the mediator as to whether a credit is issued.  Mediation pricing includes the preparation of a Record of Parenting Agreement when required.

What is involved in family law mediation at Northern Frontiers?

Northern Frontiers offers a staged mediation process as follows:

Step 1: Intake session between Party A and the mediator. Permission sought to contact the other party and assess their willingness to mediate. If ‘Yes’ we proceed as follows…

Step 2: Intake session between Party B and the mediator.

Step 3:  Northern Frontiers Reception provides a number of available mediation session times over the next two weeks and confirms a suitable time with both parties.

Step 4: 1st mediation session facilitated by an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (aka Mediator).

Additional mediation sessions may be required depending on the number of agenda items and progress made in the 1st mediation session.

The Mediator records any agreement made in the form of a Parenting Plan or Property Agreement. Both parties receive a copy of their agreement along with referral to legal advice and/or other services where assessed as appropriate.

IMPORTANT NOTE: s60I certificates

In some circumstances the Mediator may assess your matter as ‘not appropriate for mediation’ and issue a s60I certificate.  This may occur at any stage of the mediation process. Because mediators are bound by strict confidentiality you are encouraged to direct any questions you may have about a S60I certificate to a family law lawyer.

Recommended Reading:

Julie Hodge, one of Cairns’ leading family law lawyers, recently published a book called ‘Moving On – What you need to know about Separation and Divorce’ in the hope it may assist people affected by family separation as they move through the family law system. For more information, or to purchase a copy, please click here.

Do I also need a lawyer?

Northern Frontiers Mediation suggests you seek legal advice before, during and after mediation. This is to ensure your parenting or property agreement is founded in current family law principles i.e. ‘in the best interest of the child’ and, in terms of property, ‘fair and equitable’.  If you require referral details for a suitably qualified family law lawyer please contact Reception or ask the mediator.

How soon can I get started?

As soon as you like! The longest you might wait for an Intake & Assessment session is normally 2 – 4 business days. This is your first formal step in taking control of your family situation so that all involved can move on.  Please note though, we are not able to contact and invite the other party to the Mediation process until one party has completed their Intake session.

Appointment times:

For your convenience Northern Frontiers Mediation <town> offers phone and videochat appointments from 7.30am weekdays.  Out of hours appointments are available on a case-by-case basis, including weekends.  To enquire or book simply call 1300 90 81 70, text message 0419 531 269, email reception@northernfrontiers.com.au or use the online chat feature at the bottom right of this webpage.

Ready for a new direction?

Contact our Reception and confidentially discuss your unique situation today.  Simply call 1300 90 81 70, send a detailed text message to our client mobile on 0419 531 269, email reception@northernfrontiers.com.au or use the online chat feature at the bottom right of this webpage to speak with someone now.  Don't worry, there is no obligation to make a booking, and we are happy to answer any questions you have if you are just researching different providers.

Northern Frontiers mediation and counselling logo

Location

75 Digger St

Cairns North QLD 4870

We operate Australia-wide.

We do not accept walk-ins, or individuals without prior bookings. Please contact prior to attending office.

Phone

+1300 90 81 70

Mobile: 0419 531 269 (text messaging available)

LiveChat: If you have any questions about our services and don't have time to ring or email, feel free to use the LiveChat function (bottom right of this page).

h

Opening Hours

Mon-Fri: 7.30 am – 5:00 pm, by appointment only.  Limited face-to-face sessions available during the week.  Phone and videochat (MS Teams, Skype, Zoom etc) available each weekday. Last-minute sessions are sometimes available for urgent matters.

Please note:  To ensure client confidentiality all bookings are strictly by appointment only therefore we do not accept walk-ins or unannounced requests for service, including for new enquiries.