Search
Workshops
Stories & Resources
Contact us
Back to Separation Services

Family Dispute Resolution

Support for separating families to reach agreements on parenting plans. FDR is predominately for parents but may include others who have been significantly involved in the child’s life.

Enquire now Call us

Mediation

Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) mediation provides an alternative to court proceedings for resolving property, financial, parenting  and other disputes, with a focus on the needs of children.

The primary goals are to support parents to resolve conflicts, reach mutual agreements, and minimise the impact of conflict on children.

Our Family Dispute Resolution service helps parents to:

  • consider and focus on the needs of their children
  • clarify important issues
  • listen to each other
  • resolve property, financial, and other issues together
  • communicate respectfully
  • develop a parenting plan to set out arrangements for your children
  • find outcomes that are fair for everyone, especially children

 

 

FDR Practitioners are impartial and do not take sides

Our FDR practitioners lead these sessions and help separated or separating families discuss their issues, in a non-judgemental and neutral environment.

As qualified practitioners, they can help families to explore disputes objectively and constructively, supporting family members to reach mutually acceptable agreements.

Many separated or separating parents who access FDR, are able to come to agreement on issues relating to the welfare of their children, without the need to go to Court.

Our practitioners may refer you to other support services, such as counselling, if necessary.

Who is this service for?

  • Predominately separated parents, but may also involve others significantly involved in the child’s life, including grandparents.
  • Separated or separating families, who require support to manage contact or shared care arrangements for their children.
  • Separated or separating families who want to avoid Court for mediation.

Fees

Please see below for our fee schedules, or contact your nearest location.

At CCV we believe everyone should be able to access support for a better life. If you are experiencing financial hardship, we can discuss payment options for you.

This service is subsidised by the Commonwealth Government Department of Social Services.

CCV fee schedule

View document

FRC fee schedule

View document

Locations

Family Dispute Resolution is offered at the following locations:

 

Got questions? Send us an enquiry or give us a call: 1800 123 228

Not what you’re looking for?

Call for support Other services

FAQs

No, while we work in the context of the Family Law Act, our FDR practitioners are not practicing lawyers and do not provide legal advice.

 

We encourage both parents to seek independent legal advice.

No, FDR practitioners do not provide counselling. However, we have counsellors at CCV who can provide this service and help you address issues such as stress, anxiety or grief caused by the separation.

 

CCV offers counselling to children, adolescents and adults to help everyone cope with changes within the family structure.

Generally, FDR is a service that does not involve the Court. FDR is designed to help you avoid having to ask a Court to make decisions about your children and your money.

 

However, where children’s issues are being negotiated, Courts will usually require people to attempt FDR before attending Court. In these cases, we can provide a certificate to confirm that you have undertaken FDR with us.

Enquiry Form

For more information or to book an appointment, please complete the form below.

Please visit our FAQs for any general enquiries.

Related pages

Client rights and responsibilities

Information for clients and service users

Child Safety

We actively work to listen to, empower and protect children

You might also be interested in

Children's Contact Service Parenting Orders Programs Property Dispute Resolution

Sign up to our newsletter

Workshops Locations About us Contact us
CatholicCare Victoria acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters of Victoria. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
All gifts of $2 or more are tax deductible and go directly to our programs.
Privacy Policy