Family Dispute Resolution

Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) is a type of Family Law Mediation that empowers separating couples/parents to respectfully negotiate parenting, property, and financial issues.

This process is facilitated by a professionally trained FDR Practitioner with post-graduate studies in Family Law Mediation and is accredited by the Australian Attorney-General’s Department.

The FDR process is tailored to meet the requirements of the clients and is available to be conducted online, or face-to-face.

How can Family Dispute Resolution help you?

FDR can support you to:

  • Negotiate details of a Parenting Agreement or Parenting Plan
  • Making Parental Decisions in the best interest of your child or children
  • Agree on Living Arrangements for each child
  • Plan for Holidays and Special Days or Occasions
  • Address your children’s Health and Education needs
  • Rebuild or maintain a Respectful co-parenting relationships
  • Improve Communication between parents
  • Support Age-appropriate Communication between Parents and children
  • Establish Consistent Routines and day-to-day care arrangements
  • Navigate Future Changes including New Partners or changes in Work hours or location

Throughout the process, the FDR Practitioner will guide you to remain child-focused, developmental-informed, and future-oriented. They will assist you and your co-parent to collaboratively towards practical, sustainable outcomes tailored to your family’s unique needs.

Parenting Agreements & Plans

Our Dispute Resolution Specialist at iDRstart can help you and your co-parent negotiate a parenting agreement in the best interest of your child/ren.

Under the Australian Family Law, it is compulsory for separated parents to attempt FDR before applying to a family law court for parenting orders.

Property/Financial Settlement

At iDRstart, we can help you reach an agreement regarding the settlement of property or finances after separation.

We strongly encourage and recommend you seek legal advice before coming to mediation so that you will be able to make informed decisions in the best interest of your child/ren.

Certificate or Documentation for Pre-Court/Court

At iDRstart, FDR services for Parenting, Property, and Financial matters pre-court and are also available to provide mediation services if you are ordered back to mediation under the new Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) case management processes.

For parenting matters, if FDR is deemed inappropriate, or there is a refusal from the other party to attend FDR, you will be in a position to request for our Dispute Resolution Specialist to issue you with a section 60I certificate. This certificate allows you to proceed with the parenting matter to the Family Court.

For property/financial matters, if FDR is deemed inappropriate, or there is a refusal from the other party to attend FDR, you will be in a position to request for our Dispute Resolution Specialist to provide documentation. This documentation, if required, may be attached to your Genuine Steps Certificate, which may be provided to the court.

In special circumstances, if applicable and deemed fit by the Dispute Resolution Specialist, you may also be in a position to request a Certificate of Dispute Resolution.

What is involved in the FDR process?

The first step of the FDR process is called the FDR Pre-Mediation and involves you attending a one-on-one session with the FDR Practitioner, where you will be able to let the them know from your side the issues that has arisen and that you would like to resolve. The FDR practitioner will assess your situation and determine whether FDR is safe and appropriate. This step will be completed separately for you and your co-parent.

If FDR is determined to be suitable for your situation and needs, an FDR Mediation will be scheduled, and both you and your co-parent will be able to bring the issues to discuss and negotiate.

Benefits of FDR compared to the Family Court

Family Dispute Resolution (FDR)

Cost-effective: Typically costs around a few hundred dollars to $2000 from intake through to agreement

Time-efficient: Matters are often resolved within a few weeks

Collaborative approach: Parents work together to reach mutually agreable outcomes

Flexible and tailored: Outcomes are designed to suit your family’s unique needs

Less stressful: Focus on respectful communication and cooperation

Family Court Process

High cost: Legal fees can range from approximately $15,000 to $650,000 or more

Lengthy process: Can take up to 2 years form application to final orders

Adversarial process: A judge makes the final decision

Less flexible: Outcomes are determined by legal parameters and court decisions

More stressful: Formal, structured, and often intimidating environment

Overall, FDR provides a more affordable, timely, and less stressful pathway for resolving your family matters. It empowers you to remain in control of the decision-making process while focusing on the best interests of your child/ren and building sustainable co-parenting arrangements.

Where do we service?

We provide Townsville Mediation, Brisbane Mediation, Melbourne Mediation, Sydney Mediation, and even cross-border Mediation where one party may be located in an overseas country such as China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia just to name a few. Please enquire further with us to see if we can help you in your area.

What our Clients say…

The process was easy to follow

Thank you, iDRstart, for taking the time and making the mediation one that was pleasant, even though it was not what I expected. 

Initially, I thought it was going to be a very complicated, daunting, and long process from past experience, but you have made the process very easy to follow for me. I felt supported and informed every step of the way. 

You have a very good FDR process with a very good timeframe. 

~ “Liam”

The first time I felt that I matter

Thank you so much for talking to me and explaining to me that the FDR process is not just about one parent, but it is also about both parents and the best interest of the children, plus the importance of self-care. This was very important to me, as all along I thought I did not matter. This is the first time I feel that I matter. Thank you for being so kind, warm, comforting, and professional. I feel so much better after my session with you. You put a tear in my eye, and I am extremely grateful for that. 

~ “Ava”

Now I know my next steps

The FDR Practitioner was very patient and helpful. They were supportive throughout the whole intake process, even though it got quite emotional for me. 

I now have a very good understanding of the FDR process and the next steps I need to take. 

I feel much better. Thank you so much.

~ “Sophia”


CONTACT US

Email: admin@idrstart.com.au
Phone: 0411 985 289