Family Mediation Linda Denaro

Parenting Mediation

Family Mediation – Brisbane and Online Australia-Wide – Linda Denaro

Your family has been shaped by the choices, relationships and experiences you have shared together. When separation changes how family life looks, mediation can empower parents to collaborate, make thoughtful decisions and work through what comes next in a way that supports the family as a whole.

 

Linda provides a supportive and structured Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) process, giving parents the opportunity to work through changing family arrangements, discuss what matters most and develop practical communication strategies that make family life post-separation more manageable.

Family Mediation – Brisbane

Some topics covered in Parenting mediation

  • 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.

Online Parenting Coordination, Brisbane & Australia-wide, Linda Denaro

Parenting Mediation Process

The process after Linda is appointed as your Parenting Coordinator (PC)

Step 1. Individual Intake Session

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

Step 2. Parenting 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 setting where parents can work through parenting concerns, consider different options and look at what may be most practical for their family.

Step 3. Next Steps

Where agreements are reached, these can be recorded in a clear written summary. If the arrangements are to be formalised, the next steps can also be discussed.

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.

Online Family Mediation, Brisbane & Australia-wide, Linda Denaro

Family Mediation – Brisbane & Online (Australia-wide)

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 online using Zoom.  This is available Australia-wide.

 

You don’t have to be in the same room or communicate directly with the other party during mediation if you would prefer not to. At the start, your Mediator, Linda, will  meet with each of you separately for a brief start.  Mediation can then continue as a shuttle process, with both parties staying in separate online virtual rooms using Zoom  and Linda will move between you. 
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 7 days 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.

For property matters, if mediation does not proceed, Linda will advise the requesting party that mediation was unable to be arranged.

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

Online Family Mediation, Brisbane & Australia-wide, Linda Denaro

Take the Next Step

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

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