Our experienced lawyers focus on ensuring the best outcome for your children and financial security.
We understand that a breakdown of a relationship can be traumatic and taxing on anyone. However, we are here to support you, to fight for you, and to get you a quick and cost-effective resolution.
Family mediation is the process of solving disputes between families, either during a marriage separation or a defacto relationship separation. The goal is to reach an agreement on property settlements, financial settlements and parenting matters that satisfy both parties without needing to go to court. However, the key to a successful family mediation process is having access to accurate and easy to understand family law advice, as well as an experienced family law solicitor. At Oxford Partners – you’ll find both.
In some cases, certain forms of mediation will be required by law. Of these, one of the most common is Family Dispute Resolution (FDR), which focuses on allowing separating couples to come to their own agreements regarding any family disputes that cannot be resolved by other means. Regardless of your case’s unique circumstances, Oxford Partners will be able to assist you through the process, either directly or by helping to connect you with a trusted third-party.
The breakdown of a relationship or marriage is undoubtedly a very traumatic and stressful time in a person’s life. It not only affects the husband, wife and partners, but it also affects the whole family, especially the children.
Our family law team provides practical, sensible and honest advice, which focuses on our clients’ specific needs and requirements. We always aim for timely and cost-effective resolutions to minimise the emotional and financial toll these disputes can have on our clients.
Marriage and relationship separation is stressful enough without needing to worry about covering costs. Since family mediation doesn’t go through a court process, it’s one of the most affordable ways to reach binding agreements on child custody and parenting issues, financial and property matters and spousal maintenance. With Oxford Partners, you’ll have an experienced family lawyer in your corner to represent your interests, advocate for your rights and manage negotiations while keeping costs low.
Oxford Partners is conveniently situated on Little Lonsdale Street, nestled in the bustling centre of Melbourne’s CBD, just a stone’s throw away from Flagstaff Station. This prime location ensures seamless accessibility whether you’re travelling by train, tram, car, or by foot if you prefer to take a leisurely stroll through the city. Additionally, its proximity to the serene Flagstaff Gardens offers a nearby escape to nature, allowing for a perfect balance between urban convenience and natural tranquillity.
Family mediation, also often referred to as alternative dispute resolution sessions, are a cost-effective method of ensuring family disputes are settled without the need for litigation. Mediation can support families in resolving conflicts that may negatively impact separation or divorce proceedings.
Similar to couples therapy sessions, the goal of all Family Law mediators is to ensure that the best interests and welfare of all parties are adequately represented. Unlike couples therapists, Family Law mediators ensure these interests are represented not just in mediation sessions, but specifically throughout your wider separation or divorce proceedings as well. It is likely that you won’t have to do much talking in your first family mediation session, and that your selected family mediator will spend time establishing the rules behind sessions, as well as the tone in which future sessions are to be conducted.
When /legal-advice/family-mediation/how-to-prepare-for-family-mediation/">preparing for a mediation session, practising active listening and emotional regulation is just as important as coming prepared with the correct documentation and information required throughout your separation or divorce proceedings. It is also worth noting that mediation sessions can often last over an hour and can be emotionally taxing on occasions, so make sure to schedule with plenty of time before and after your session for your own personal wellbeing.
The costs of family mediation sessions are dictated by the nature of the disputes that both parties are looking to resolve through mediation, as well as the length of sessions. As family mediation sessions are conducted with an intent to resolve disputes between two parties, the costs associated with family mediation are generally shared by the two concerned parties themselves, that is unless a financial arrangement has been agreed upon prior to mediation.
Whilst it is possible to take your divorce or separation case straight to Family Court, family mediation sessions are generally recommended for families across Victoria as the sessions are an immensely cost-effective solution to managing conflicting needs during /services/divorce-separation/">divorce or separation proceedings.
The foal of family mediation is to resolve disputes relating to finances and children in a quick and cost effective manner. While family mediation is not always successful for a variety of reasons, it's still possible to find a resolution. Family mediation can cause emotions to run high between both parties, so the next step might be restarting the family mediation process after a cooling off period and different expectations. However both parties are still unable to reach a solution, then an application will be made to have the matter heard in Family Court. Your lawyer can provide further information on what’s involved in the litigation process.
When you attend family mediation it’s important to appear well groomed and wear somewhat conservative clothing like a button-down shirt, slacks and enclosed shoes.
Family mediation is a straightforward and cost-effective way to find a resolution regarding financial and child custody issues during legal separation or divorce. For family mediation to succeed, it’s important to keep the following things in mind: gather all the required information and documentation ahead of time make a list of all the matters you want to be resolved at mediation approach any discussions or ideas with a calm and cooperative mindset. With these tips and the support and guidance of your family lawyer you can increase your chances of a successful family mediation.
Family mediation facilitates negotiations between couples where both parties are seeking a mutually agreeable way to divide their assets and share parenting responsibilities for their children. Family mediation can help couples maintain important relationships with each other and with their children after a separation or divorce by fostering communication, understanding and cooperation. If you're looking for a way to avoid the expense and stress of a high conflict family law battle, consider alternatives such as family mediation.
The mediator will have both parties in attendance to describe the situation from their perspective, to explain what they need to achieve a settlement, and to describe any other issues they feel are of importance. Together with the mediator, each of you will develop proposals for resolving problems related to child custody and access, parenting time arrangements for the children, spousal support or maintenance payments between spouses, division of assets and debts and any other relevant issues.
The highly experienced Oxford Partners family law team is dedicated to fully understanding your legal position and providing clear advice that is completely understandable.
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Mediation is always the great option, if available, to try and resolve your matter. This means that you will be able to settle either your financial or children’s matters through negotiation and discussion and without the need of going through a nasty trial.
We estimate that 98 per cent of our matters settle through mediation, as we do not believe that it is worth the extra expense and stress on our clients to go further if unnecessary. We pride ourselves on briefing great barristers and having solicitors that provide honest and upfront advice so from the very beginning, you know what the ultimate outcome will be.
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I knew what was going to happen in my Family Law matter the moment I spoke to Oxford Partners. They didn’t mince their words and in the end, I got an excellent result from their service.
Rachel DeanStraight talking, honest advice and overall excellent service. The Oxford Partners team were fantastic from start to finish. Thank you for supporting me during a very difficult time in my life.
Ryan DietrichOxford Partners got me results. They were honest from the start and fought for me when I couldn’t. I can’t thank them enough. I would highly recommend their services to anybody.
Josh MarkovicI knew where I stood with my legal situation from the start. Oxford Partners helped me throughout. Even when I thought I was down and out. You changed my life. Thank you!
Sue Knight