Parenting and Property Mediation

Parenting Mediation Brisbane & Sunshine Coast

Separation can bring changes to family life, parenting arrangements and financial circumstances. Making decisions about children, property and future plans can feel overwhelming, particularly when emotions and differing priorities are involved. Linda provides a supportive and structured mediation process, helping both people work through important decisions, explore practical options and develop fair, workable agreements that support moving forward.

Linda provides a supportive and structured Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) and mediation process, giving both people the opportunity to discuss parenting arrangements, work through property and financial matters, and explore practical solutions that reflect their individual circumstances and future needs.

Family Mediation – Brisbane

Parenting / Property Mediation Process

  • Decision-making (living arrangements, school, special health needs)
  • Communication expectations between parents
  • Parent time allocation
  • Changeover routines
  • How children will communicate with the other parent during changeovers
  • Holidays, birthdays, special occasions and travel arrangements
  • Develop stable co-parenting routines for children

The aim of is to create a more co-operative co- parenting arrangement that will support your children’s well-being, developmental and emotional needs.

Parenting Mediation Brisbane & Sunshine Coast

Parenting / Property Mediation Process

Step 1. Individual Intake Session

Each person attends a private intake session before mediation. This provides an opportunity to understand individual circumstances, identify the issues to be discussed and consider any safety or communication concerns before mediation begins.

Step 2. Mediation

Mediation can take place online or in person by arrangement, either together or in separate spaces where appropriate. The focus is on creating a respectful and safe environment where both people can discuss their concerns, consider different options and work towards practical agreements.

Parenting Mediation

Parenting mediation focuses on developing practical, child-focused arrangements that support children’s wellbeing and changing family circumstances.

Some topics explored during parenting mediation include:

  • Decision-making about children’s living arrangements, education and health needs

  • Time children spend with each parent

  • Communication expectations between parents

  • Changeover arrangements and routines

  • Holidays, birthdays, special occasions and travel arrangements

  • Communication between children and parents when they are apart

  • Developing stable and consistent co-parenting routines

The aim is to support cooperative parenting arrangements that consider children’s emotional, developmental and practical needs.

Property Mediation

Property mediation provides an opportunity to work through financial and property matters following separation, taking into account each person’s circumstances and future needs.

Some topics explored during property mediation include:

  • Identifying and understanding the property pool, including assets, liabilities and financial resources

  • Considering financial and non-financial contributions made by each person

  • Exploring each person’s current circumstances and future needs

  • Discussing options for dividing property and financial arrangements

  • Considering whether proposed outcomes are just and equitable

    Property mediation also creates room to discuss matters that may hold personal or sentimental value, such as the family home and belongings. Linda takes a holistic approach, supporting both people to explore options that reflect their circumstances, priorities and what is workable for the next stage of their lives.

Step 3. Agreements Next Steps

Where agreements are reached during mediation, these can be recorded in a summary outlining the outcomes discussed and agreed upon.

If the agreements are to be formalised or made legally binding, the next steps can also be discussed, including seeking independent legal advice. 

Section 60I Certificates

There are circumstances where mediation may not be suitable. In these cases, a Section 60I Certificate may be issued.  If going to court becomes inevitable, this certificate is required for legal proceedings in parenting matters, as it demonstrates that an attempt at mediation has occurred.

Child Inclusive Practice

Children’s experiences and perspectives are an important part of decisions that affect them, without placing them in the position of having to choose between parents or carry responsibility for the outcome. Child Inclusive Practice provides a way for their views to be considered in a safe and age-appropriate manner.

 

Where appropriate, Linda can work alongside an independent child consultant who meets with the child or children separately and provides feedback to support the mediation process. This allows parenting discussions to be informed by a clearer understanding of what is happening for the child, while keeping decision-making with the adults.

Frequently asked questions

Instead of jumping straight into a costly and lengthy court battle, consider mediation. It’s faster, much more affordable, and gives both sides a say in the outcome. Mediation encourages cooperation, while court puts decisions in the hands of a judge who doesn’t know your family and that result might not work for anyone. 

Before you can take your dispute to court, you’re required to attempt mediation first, because it gives both parties a chance to resolve things collaboratively and avoid the expense and stress of litigation.

During mediation, Linda helps both parties communicate openly and work together to find a solution. You’ll have the opportunity to share your concerns and priorities and Linda will work with you to explore different ways to resolve the dispute.

Once both parties have agreed to mediate with Linda, you’ll be required to complete and return a few documents before our session:

  • Mediation Agreement
  • Parenting/Property Intake Form
  • Mediation Support Person Acknowledgement

No.  Linda will not impose a solution or decide who’s right or wrong. Linda’s role is to help both parties identify the issues, have open discussions, and work towards an agreement that suits everyone. Linda facilitates and guides the process fairly and impartially, but the final decisions are always up to the parties.
If you come to an agreement during mediation, you can request a Parenting Plan or a Record of Outcomes for your lawyers to draft Consent Orders. 

If you do not come to an agreement during mediation, you will receive a Section 60I Certificate which you can use to apply to Court.  

No.  It is your choice whether you want a lawyer present during mediation. Many parties choose to represent themselves at mediation.
Yes.  You can bring a support person with you at mediation. However, because confidentiality is important, the other party will need to agree to their presence, just as you would need to consent if the other party wanted to bring someone. 

Mediation sessions are conducted either Online or In Person within Brisbane & Sunshine Coast.

 

If the other party chooses not to attend mediation for parenting matters, Linda can issue you a Section 60I Certificate, which is valid for 12 months. This certificate allows you to apply to the Court. Keep in mind, if mediation has not already happened, the Court will usually require it before proceeding.

A Section 60I Certificate can be provided for several reasons:

  • If one party chooses not to attend Family Dispute Resolution (FDR)
  • If I believe it’s not appropriate to proceed with FDR
  • If both parties attend FDR and genuinely try to resolve the dispute
  • If both parties attend FDR but don’t make a genuine effort to resolve things
  • If FDR begins but I later decide it’s not appropriate to continue

The Section 60I Certificate is a statutory form which can not be changed.

The process begins with an invitation being sent to the other parent to participate in Family Dispute Resolution mediation.

Once the initial invitation is issued, the other party is given at timefream to respond. If no response is received within this timeframe, a follow-up invitation is sent, providing a further opportunity to engage within a short additional period.

If there is still no response after these invitations, a Section 60I Certificate may be issued. A Section 60I Certificate may also be issued if the other party declines to participate in mediation or unreasonably delays the mediation process.

Where mediation does proceed, a Section 60I Certificate is issued at the conclusion of mediation, in accordance with legislative requirements.

You have received this invitation because the other parent has contacted Linda and requested that mediation be offered.

Linda is not engaged by one parent over the other and does not provide legal advice. Linda’s role is to remain neutral and impartial, supporting both parents to participate in a fair and balanced mediation process.

For parenting matters, if an invitation to mediate is declined, Linda will issue the requesting party with a Section 60I Certificate, which may be used to make an application to the Court. Even if a Section 60I Certificate is issued, you remain free to attend mediation with another provider if you choose.

Linda’s role is to either facilitate mediation or, where mediation does not proceed, issue the appropriate certificate indicating that mediation did not occur.

There is no obligation to participate in mediation facilitated by Linda.

If the matter involves parenting issues and mediation with Linda does not proceed, a Section 60I Certificate may be issued to the requesting party indicating that mediation did not take place with this service. This does not prevent either parent from participating in mediation with another provider at a later time.

Mediation and Parenting Coordination serve different purposes.

Mediation is a short-term, facilitative process focused on helping parents reach agreements about future arrangements.

Parenting Coordination, by contrast, is designed to support parents to implement and manage the terms of an existing Parenting Plan or Court Order. It focuses on practical, day-to-day issues such as scheduling difficulties, changeover arrangements, and ongoing communication challenges.

Parenting Coordination involves an ongoing role, with Linda supporting parents over a period of time to reduce conflict, improve communication, and resolve disputes as they arise. This support may continue until parents choose to disengage, or until the Court determines that ongoing assistance is no longer required.

Online and In Person - Brisbane & Sunshine Coast

Take the Next Step

To book or enquire about mediation, please email Linda at support@lindadenaro.com.au

Related Articles

Helpful information: