FAMILY & DIVORCE MEDIATION
The relationship is changing.
Your decisions still matter.
Space to work through the practical decisions that follow separation, with careful attention to children, financial information and each person’s ability to participate freely.
Parenting schedules & routines
Build a discussion around the children’s ages, school, care needs and the realities of each household.
- Weekdays, weekends, overnights and school-day transitions
- Shift work, childcare, transportation and late pickups
- Illness, missed time and requests for temporary changes
Parenting decisions
Clarify which decisions need discussion, what information is required and how parents will respond.
- Schooling, health care, activities and appointments
- Sharing reports, calendars and relevant information
- A practical process when parents disagree
Communication between homes
Set workable expectations for messages and changes without making children carry adult concerns.
- Communication channels, response times and boundaries
- Shared calendars, notices and exchange arrangements
- Calls with the children and respectful handovers
Christmas, holidays & travel
Address the celebrations and breaks that can disrupt an otherwise workable parenting routine.
- Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year
- Spring break, summer holidays, birthdays and cultural celebrations
- Travel plans, documents, handovers and contingency arrangements
Financial disclosure
Identify the information needed for informed discussions and a practical way to exchange it.
- Income records, tax information, assets and debts
- Questions about businesses, pensions and valuations
- What is missing, who will obtain it and by when
Child support & children’s expenses
Discuss proposals with relevant financial information and independent legal advice where needed.
- Income questions and proposed support arrangements
- Childcare, activities, education and other additional expenses
- Receipts, reimbursements, annual information and review dates
Spousal support & budgets
Create room to discuss financial uncertainty and arrangements while longer-term decisions are considered.
- Support proposals and issues needing legal advice
- Interim household costs and payment arrangements
- Review dates, financial information and changing circumstances
The family home & property
Separate the financial questions from the practical decisions that need attention now.
- Sale timing, appraisals and potential buyout proposals
- Mortgage payments, repairs and living arrangements
- Assets, debts, belongings and professional valuation questions
The practical work of separating
Plan the steps between deciding to separate and having longer-term arrangements in place.
- Moving dates, household items and access to records
- Immediate bills, accounts and financial information
- Recording proposals for independent legal review
When circumstances change
Identify which parts of an arrangement need discussion and which questions require legal advice.
- Growing children, new school routines and changed work schedules
- Proposed moves, travel distance and transport arrangements
- Reviewing terms and the process for formal changes to an order or agreement
Blended & extended families
Where suitable and agreed, clarify practical expectations involving new partners, relatives or other important people.
- Grandparents, family gatherings and significant events
- Household boundaries, roles and communication
- Who should participate and what can be agreed within the process
Putting an agreement into practice
Turn broad intentions into specific next steps and identify any continuing questions.
- Who does what, by when and how progress is confirmed
- Unresolved points, information gaps and review dates
- Independent legal review and any formal documentation needed
Two parents agree that their child needs a predictable routine but disagree about weekends. A conversation about shift work, school activities and the child’s experience may help them explore a more workable schedule and a clear way to handle changes.