Attending Compulsory Family Dispute Resolution - what to expect

Family Mediation

Your Trusted Partner for Family Dispute Resolution in the Northern Rivers

Going through a separation or divorce can be stressful and overwhelming.

At Somerville Laundry Lomax, our family mediation lawyers are here to guide you through the process with care and professionalism. Family mediation provides a safe, neutral space for you and your former partner to discuss your needs and reach fair agreements, without the emotional strain or costs of attending Family Court.

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What is Family Mediation?

Family mediation, also known as Family Dispute Resolution (FDR), is a confidential process where a neutral third party helps separated or divorced couples resolve disputes. The goal is to reach a mutually acceptable agreement regarding children, property, and finances.

The mediator facilitates open communication and assists both parties in finding practical solutions. Unlike adversarial court proceedings, mediation is a collaborative approach that focuses on what works for your family's unique future.

Why Choose Mediation Over Court?

Cost-Effective: Mediation is generally much cheaper than litigation, saving you from high legal fees and court costs.
Time Saving: Court cases can take years, while mediation is typically much faster.
Confidentiality: Sessions are private and not part of the public record.
Control: You retain control over outcomes instead of a judge deciding.
Reduced Stress: Focuses on cooperation and emotional wellbeing, especially for children.

Our Family Dispute Resolution Services

Child Custody and Parenting Plans

We help create detailed parenting plans covering living arrangements, visitation schedules, education, and healthcare decisions, always prioritising your children’s wellbeing.

Property and Financial Settlements

We assist in negotiating fair and equitable division of assets, including property, savings, and debts, through structured mediation discussions.

Safety and Domestic Violence Concerns

Safety is paramount. We offer tailored mediation approaches including shuttle mediation or virtual sessions where required to ensure a secure environment.

Our Mediation Process

Initial Consultation and Assessment

We begin with a consultation to understand your situation, explain the process, and assess suitability for mediation.

Mediation Sessions and Techniques

Sessions may include joint meetings, shuttle mediation, or virtual conferencing to support constructive communication and resolution.

Finalising the Agreement

Once an agreement is reached, we assist in documenting the terms clearly to ensure both parties understand and accept the outcome.

Find Your Way Forward Without the Courtroom

Our mediation lawyers specialise in de-escalating conflict and securing fair outcomes that protect your children and your assets. Take the first step toward a peaceful resolution today.

Email [email protected]
Call us on 02 6621 2481

Locations We Service

Our mediation lawyers assist families throughout the Northern Rivers. We service clients in:

Lismore, Ballina, Byron Bay, Kyogle, Casino, Ocean Shores, Alstonville, and across the region.

Our Office Locations

Lismore
Ballina
Byron Bay
Kyogle

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does mediation take?

The duration depends on the complexity of the issues. Many disputes are resolved in a single full-day or half-day session, while others may require multiple appointments over several weeks.

Is mediation compulsory?

In most parenting cases, the law requires you to attempt mediation and obtain a Section 60I Certificate before filing for a court hearing, unless an exemption applies.

What are the costs involved?

Mediation is a cost-effective alternative to litigation. At Somerville Laundry Lomax, we provide a transparent fee structure so you know the costs upfront. Please contact us for a detailed fee schedule for half-day and full-day sessions.

What Our Clients Say About Us

I want to thank your Company and in particular Cassandra Keogh for taking over my Family Law matter. Cassandra’s compassion along with her knowledge and expertise constantly helped put me at ease in finally settling my very messy matter. I would like to thank her for all the help she has given me and would highly recommend her to any future clients.

Pauline Horkings

Dear Sean,

Thank you for taking on my matter and managing it so well. I always felt you had my back and worked hard on my behalf.

I remain very impressed by the team and support staff you lead and can and will recommend your services.

Thank you again for your support and advice along the way.

Fondest regards,

B G

Dear Guy,

I am writing on behalf of the FNCRU Board to thank yourself and your organisation for your continued assistance in the conduct of the Board’s Judiciary meetings, in particular, in the usage of a venue for the conduct of such.

Support such as your own and that of your organisation is essential in the conduct of the business of the zone.

I would particularly commend the efforts of Cassie at our recent meeting last evening, my first in the capacity of a member of a judiciary panel in FNC.

Cassie’s input was not only reflective of your group’s support for FNCRU, but also reflective of your seriousness in support of the process in selecting someone with Cassie’s obvious knowledge of both sport and due process in such matters.

Yours in Rugby,

Jeffrey Brookes, For and on behalf of FNCRU Board FNCRU Board

We have been a client of this law business since the late 1990’s. We always get exemplary service from Guy Latham our solicitor. He has assisted us over the years with Agency agreements in business, with conveyancing on the sale and purchase of 4 properties and with Wills and other issues. Great service always.

Russell Lean

I just wanted to send through a big thank you to the team at Somerville, Laundry and Lomax for all the professional support throughout my compensation process. For me it was not an easy process to go through, being very personal and over 3 years in length. However, when I connected with SLL about 18 months ago the process did become a whole lot easy as I soon became aware that I had the right support.

I particularly want to commend Nathan Job to you (who you originally introduced me to). It is my opinion that Nathan went above the scope of what was required of him professionally and I really felt personally taken care of by Nathan, which would be why I would recommend your firm in the future. He is a very genuine guy who instilled confidence in me throughout the entire process and who always gave honest and wise feedback about the various scenarios we were facing, while allowing me to make all the decisions.

Thank you again and much appreciated.

Carolyn

A huge thank you to Ben Crawford and Sue for the outstanding effort that was required to resolve my Family Court matters.

Your patience and excellent advice have been greatly appreciated throughout this long, unfortunate process and it is wonderful that finally the desired outcome has been realised.

I had a great experience with Somerville Laundry Lomax Solicitors. They were helpful, efficient, and kept clear communication throughout, settling my claim quickly. Special thanks to Izaac and Elizabeth for being so friendly and supportive. I’d definitely use their services again if needed. Highly recommend!