family mediation in Sydney

The Process and Benefits of Family Mediation in Sydney

Are you searching for a way to settle family-related issues or legal cases without going to court? Then it would help if you considered going for family mediation in Sydney. We understand that court cases can be expensive, time-consuming, and draining, both mentally and emotionally.

That’s why mediation serves as an ideal alternative for settling family issues. It is a negotiation process where disputes in families are determined and resolved by a third party. The third party is referred to as a mediator, and their job is to listen and help the parties involved.

They identify the issue, find common grounds and work out a mutual agreement. These mediators won’t decide what deal the parties take or offer legal advice. The process involved in family mediation in Sydney can take place either face to face or over a phone conference call.

What Are The Benefits?

The benefits of this process are many, but here are a few of them:

  • It is efficient, and you can settle your dispute within a few sessions.
  • It is an informal process and doesn’t require lawyer representation. 
  • Family mediation in Sydney is a confidential process, and all information gathered there can not be used later in a trial or judicial proceedings.
  • Unlike court trials, you have more say in negotiations and more control over the results, making it more flexible.
  • Family mediation costs are pretty low when compared to the cost of litigation.
  • It helps the parties involved maintain relationships, unlike judicial proceedings that usually destroy any existing relationships, sometimes extending to the parties’ relatives.

What Is Involved In The Family Mediation Process in Sydney?

Here are the steps involved in this process.

  • Preparation

This is the first step involved in the family mediation process. Your mediator meets with you, explains the process, and answers all your questions in this stage. If you can’t meet with them, you don’t need to worry. It can happen over the phone too.

  • Introduction

On the day of your first meeting  with a mediator, you and your spouse will be given an open statement and have to agree with it before they can proceed. This statement includes a description of the roles of all parties, the mediation process, and all the ground rules.

  • Statement Of The Problem

Here the mediator gives all the parties involved a chance to talk and summarize their position in the conflict and what they think is the problem. Both parties would better understand their case at the end of this step.

  • Join Discussion

Here, the meditator discusses the problem with the people involved and asks them open-minded questions to find additional information. They start to see the issues that they can settle.

  • Private Discussion

Both parties can discuss their opinions and thoughts about the case behind closed doors. This step helps the mediator to prepare for negotiations.

  • Negotiation

In this stage, options for an agreement are identified and explored by the mediator to help solve the dispute. The family mediation Sydney process begins to draw to a close in the stage. 

  • Agreement

If both parties agree with the options offered by the third party, they both agree, and this agreement is put in writing. Putting it in writing means it has become legally binding.

Not all cases are solved with family mediation in Sydney, like sexual abuse and domestic violence. If this process can solve your issue, you should consider getting certified and qualified mediators. They should hold a formal accreditation in Family Resolution Practitioner (FDRP). We hope you found this article helpful. See you next time.

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