Mediation

If you decide to go to Court to argue about parenting arrangements with children, you may find you need to first attend compulsory Family Dispute Resolution (FDR). FDR is the name the Family Court uses to describe mediation. Compulsory mediation for parenting matters has existed since 2006, when research showed mediation to be a more constructive way of resolving conflict than going to Court.

FDR or mediation sessions have their agenda set by you. It can cover the division of assets, spousal maintenance agreements, parenting arrangements, contact of children with grandparents and extended family, private financial agreements around child support and communicating successfully after you’ve separated.

As a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner accredited with the Australian Attorney-General’s Department, Janine Moran is qualified to work in the Australian Family Law System and to provide certificates related to mediation for the Court as required. Find out more about FDR on our FDR and Family Law Page or our Mediation FAQs page.

Janine can help you create a detailed parenting plan that will ensure the best outcome for your family, or help you settle a few remaining small issues if you’ve already agreed on the main arrangements. She can help you future-proof your shared parenting by helping you work pro-actively work through issues before they become a problem. Janine can also see you after a few months or years for a “tune up” or revision of your plan as your children grow and your family’s needs change.

Agreements made at mediation may be made legally binding or kept open and flexible – you can talk more about that when you have your individual session. You will also find a lot more written about parenting agreements on our parenting mediation page and our preparing for parenting mediation tips page.

Under Family Court legislation Janine is obliged to be an advocate for the best interests of children. As a trained child-inclusive mediator, she takes that role seriously. However, she is also a strong advocate for the best interests of parents, because research proves that children flourish when their parents’ wellbeing has also been attended to. Parenting agreements must work for the wellbeing of parents and children and when you are attending mediation with Janine will be looking out for everyone’s interests.

Janine can assist you to constructively and respectfully divide your assets. Unlike parenting mediation, property mediation isn’t compulsory but it is quickly becoming the preferred choice for parties wanting help with difficult decisions but who don’t want to waste money on unnecessary legal battles.

Should your property matter end up in Court, legal costs resembling telephone-book numbers can sadly erode a large percentage of your hard-earned assets. Even if you don’t end up in Court, it is easy to spend tens of thousands of dollars negotiating backwards and forwards between lawyers.

In contrast, property mediation can often be finalised in a few sessions. Depending on how complex your matter is, going to mediation and having your property agreement drawn up into Court Orders by your lawyer can cost significantly less – leaving a much greater amount for you to put towards your new life.

Prior to working in in the human services field, Janine earned a commerce degree and worked in business, providing her with an understanding of complex financial arrangements – including businesses, trusts, contributions such as inheritances and future income that needs to be considered, such as differing superannuation schemes. We have more tips on dividing your property here, and more about the property mediation process here.

As a private practitioner, Janine can move quickly to get your dispute resolved without long waiting lists. Having mediated hundreds of cases, she offer the experience you need when navigating the confusing family law environment.

Janine is famous for being down-to-earth and practical yet sensitive and sympathetic to all parties. Finally, Janine is one of few mediators who specialise in both relationship counselling and mediation. Janine knows how relationships work and how relationships break down, and so she brings a sensitivity and understanding to mediation that can sometimes be the missing link in guiding you to resolution of your dispute.

Janine can issue the legal certificates required by the family courts, and make use of state of the art mediation tools including videoconferencing and an electronic whiteboard – which allows her to send agreements and financial spread-sheets instantaneously, if required, to your lawyer. Janine have a modern, comfortable and well-located office in Manuka with rear on-site parking, and if you engage her for mediation, you will find her responsive and accessible.