Family
Mediation
Services
Resolve difficult disputes and speed up the settlement process with our expert family mediation services in Brisbane.
What is Family Mediation?
Family mediation involves you and your former partner sitting down with an independent third person (a mediator) to discuss the legal issues of your settlement. It’s not counseling, but an opportunity to set out proposals, consider options, and attempt to reach a mutual agreement.
Our mediation process helps you understand each other’s perspectives and find common ground, especially beneficial in cases involving children.
Issues We Can Help Resolve
Property Disputes
Fair division of assets and property between separating partners.
Parenting Disputes
s60I certificates
Documenting the parties’ efforts to resolve their disputes ahead of court.
Our Mediation Team
Mediation Fees
Allison Caputo
- Full Day – 8 Hours: $3,300 (incl GST)
- Half Day 4 Hours: $2,200 (incl GST)
- Additional Time: $275/hour (incl GST)
- Room Hire at Michael Lynch Mediations: Free
- Room Hire (External): As per charge
- Travel time (if outside Brisbane CBD): TBC
Amanda Johnstone
- Full Day – 8 Hours: $2,750 (incl GST)
- Half Day 4 Hours: $1,650 (incl GST)
- Additional Time: $275/hour (incl GST)
- Room Hire at Michael Lynch Mediations: Free
- Room Hire (External): As per charge
- Travel time (if outside Brisbane CBD): TBC
Sophie Kannemeyer
- Full Day – 8 Hours: $2,750 (incl GST)
- Half Day 4 Hours: $1,650 (incl GST)
- Additional Time: $275/hour (incl GST)
- Room Hire at Michael Lynch Mediations: Free
- Room Hire (External): As per charge
- Travel time (if outside Brisbane CBD): TBC
Terms and Conditions
Terms, conditions and cancellation policy apply. Contact our office at (07) 3221 4300 for more details.
The Family Mediation Process
Consult with Your Solicitor
Speak to your solicitor and decide if you would like them to be in the mediation with you.
Choose Mediation Style
There are different mediation styles, the most common are either ‘roundtable’ or alternatively, ‘shuttle’ mediation. You should speak to your family lawyer to decide what style would best suit you.
Agreement to Participate
Upon meeting with the mediator, both parties are taken through the Agreement to Participate in Family Dispute Resolution (this sets out the guidelines for participation in the mediation).
Outline Issues
Both parties are asked to describe the issues that need resolving. Their unique perspectives are taken into consideration during this step.
Discuss Issues and Solutions
Each issue on the agenda is discussed. Both parties are allowed to discuss their concerns while also suggesting resolution options.
Document the Agreement
If both parties can come to an agreement, that agreement should be documented. It is a question for each situation as to how best to document and who should prepare it.
What are the Benefits of Family Mediation?
Taking a family dispute to court is often a drawn-out and expensive process. Compared to going through the legal system, family mediation can save you time and money. Court fees tend to escalate quickly, whereas mediation is much more affordable. Scheduling just one court hearing can take months, so if you’re looking for a quick resolution, family mediation may be a more appealing option.
Family mediation also gives separated couples the chance to find common ground, allowing them to resolve disputes before they get too heated. This can be especially beneficial in cases involving children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any disputes that are not suited to family mediation?
Family mediation may not be suitable where there are domestic violence allegations or orders, or where there may be a power imbalance between the parties. The mediator will determine if your matter is suitable for mediation or speak to a lawyer prior to engaging in the mediation process
Does the mediator have the power to decide the most appropriate resolution?
It is not the mediator's role to make final decisions. It is their job to oversee the process and facilitate negotiations.
Do I have to attend family mediation?
If you are unsure about attending mediation, we recommend that you obtain specialist family law advice prior to refusing to engage in mediation. There are certain pre-action procedures that should be followed in all family matters, and you should understand them prior to agreeing or refusing to participate in mediation.
Will I get an opportunity to speak privately with the mediator?
Separating couples may not always feel comfortable raising certain issues in front of their former partner. For this reason, the mediator will often have private confidential sessions with each party. It should be noted that the most common form of mediation is a ‘shuttle’ conference, where parties are in separate rooms and don’t see each other.
How do I prepare for mediation?
Make sure you understand what the process involves, this might include obtaining legal advice prior to the mediation. The mediator will explain the process to you either before the mediation or on the day of mediation. We recommend that you have a have a good idea of the legal issues and your position in relation to the issues prior to the mediation. It would also be of assistance for you to obtain legal advice on the issues and your position prior to the mediation.
Is mediation confidential?
Information or documents disclosed in mediation are confidential. Only in limited circumstances can information be provided to third parties. If these limited circumstances apply, the mediator will discuss this with you on a case-by-case basis.
Can I have a support person at mediation?
Yes, if you wish to have a support person at mediation then raise this with the mediator prior to the mediation occurring.
Speak to One of Queensland’s Largest Family Law Firms
If you need assistance with arranging mediation, contact Michael Lynch Mediations in Brisbane at (07) 3221 4300 today. Our lawyers can help protect your rights and responsibilities during the mediation process. This will ensure you achieve optimal outcomes, allowing you to move forward with your life.
Client Testimonials
I appreciate you being upfront with fee estimates. You also have a fantastic website and the seminars REALLY helped to get me focussed.
I like your friendly service and the ability to speak to my solicitor directly.
Thank you, you placed my needs first, you were aware of the need to reach a final result and not get caught up in the personal issues of the other party.
I really liked the personable service by Michael Lynch Family Lawyers, the simple plain language you adopt and everyone’s patience.
The staff at Michael Lynch Family Lawyers were great. Everyone was fantastic, professional, understanding, caring and always communicated with me. I knew I was in good hands.
Amy, thanks very much to you and your team. Throughout my dealings with MLFL I have been continually impressed with your level of professionalism and, in particular, your understanding of circumstances and the articulate way you conduct yourself. I was completely satisfied with today’s outcome and without your experience and expertise in family law I doubt that the result would have been achieved.
I appreciate my lawyer’s professional approach and her being on top of my situation.
Michael is very personable and very good at covering the material and explaining the strategy.
Thank you for helping me through this difficult time. You have been caring, compassionate and efficient. Some of my divorcing friends have not been so fortunate. In my mind, you are the best family lawyer in Brisbane. If anyone I know needs a good family lawyer, I will tell them to speak to you. Thanks again.
A personalised and professional service. Information has been clear and provided timely to assist my decision-making.
Thank you for the outstanding legal advice you have provided and professionalism in which you conduct yourself. I am truly thankful that it was you who represented me.
I was always confident that I was getting the very best advice.
I always felt that the service provided by Michael Lynch Family Lawyers was of a high standard. Each time, after appointments I came away feeling secure. Keep doing what you are and maintain the ‘family feel’ that permeates your services.
My lawyer was the most knowledgeable of all lawyers I spoke to when looking for a lawyer. Michael Lynch Family Lawyers showed professionalism.
So pleased to have had a good, sound and knowledgeable firm.
I’m very glad ‘Michael Lynch Family Lawyers’ is my lawyer and not the other side’s solicitor.
I have appreciated the way that you and the staff at your firm have handled my situation. I would especially like to mention the professional and caring way my lawyer conducted my case, I am deeply grateful and extremely happy with the results. I will be referring others to your service.
Amy, thank you for all that you have done during this matter. You impressed me with your professionalism from our initial meeting, and you have proven beyond doubt, to have had the skills and knowledge required. You are a credit to the company, and I would highly recommend you to anyone in a similar situation.
My family lawyer was very helpful in assisting me to combat a very ugly situation without stooping to the low levels that the other solicitor attempted to take us.
My lawyer has been an amazing help through this stressful time. I will remember her help for the rest of my life. Thank you.
I would like to thank your firm for the support and compassion shown while dealing with my matter.
At Michael Lynch Family Lawyers I got professional and ‘no-nonsense’ advice, costs were within quoted amounts and my matter was resolved quickly – well done!
My solicitor provided a personalised service, prompt and quick responses and cost information prior to my commitment.
Thank you for the great newsletter. Your article on “Coping with Christmas” is brilliant – clear, caring and helpful. Thanks again!
Thank you, you kept me sane in a difficult situation and gave me the encouragement and the confidence to keep going. You made me feel extremely comfortable.
My solicitor is a good listener. My documentation maintained the high moral ground.
Your team is professional, warm, friendly and real.
Michael Lynch Family Lawyers know what they are talking about.
Amy’s work was extremely professional but above all she has a manner and wisdom in dealing with people under stress. I will be recommending your firm to anyone that requires assistance.
Your newsletters are great, I appreciate them.
Michael, thank you again for your presence here yesterday. We really appreciated the clarity and accessibility of your presentation. It is a rare thing to find somebody who not only has expertise, but also has a skill in communicating it.
Amy, thank you. You have been diligent, accurate and pro-active for the entire duration of my matter. I appreciate it.
Michael Lynch Family Lawyers always gave me competent and knowledgeable advice. I was consistently kept up to date. The meetings and phone calls were kept business-like, yet caring and thoughtful of my emotional state at the time. Thank you.
Thank you Debra for all the work you did for me, you both made the process manageable and brought sense to the chaos.
You, guys, provide extraordinary service.
The professionalism and reliability delivered by Amy Honan was fantastic. I had an urgent matter around my property sale and Amy offered to provide assistance over a weekend if I required it – that’s above and beyond!
Thank you for providing me with a professional yet empathetic approach to gain the best outcome for me. My solicitor was excellent in explaining the processes and in representing me in Court. You have great customer service!
Your team’s communication with me was exceptional, I knew exactly what was happening.
Many thanks for your assistance – life is now great – I’m moving on.
Many thanks to Stephanie for her help and support through this time, I was incredibly impressed with her work.
Thank you for being very personable, professional and always providing me with the most appropriate advice in my times of difficulty. The other party’s lawyers were extremely aggressive, while Michael Lynch Family Lawyers remained calm and professional.
I really appreciated the happiness of your secretarial staff.
Thank you for your ongoing conciliatory approach in this matter and as always I appreciate your level headed advice. I certainly feel that I ended up with the right Solicitor.
I liked my solicitor keeping things as simple as possible.
May I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to you and your staff for the excellent professional services I received. In a word, priceless.
Lovely to deal with and provides a balanced view in what are very difficult circumstances.
I like that my lawyer treated me like a friend and kept jargon to a minimum. She was easy to contact and kept me informed.
Your staff is knowledgeable, professional and very calm.
Michael Lynch Family Lawyers are easy to deal with, and your systems are good.
I was impressed by my solicitor’s attention to detail and her concern for me, and that the process was explained to me and that I understood it at all times.
After utilising the mediation services team recommended by your organisation, my ex-partner and I were able to reach some interim agreements about parenting. I am incredibly grateful for the advice provided by Debra Effeney; and found your firm’s services to be exceptionally professional. If we needed to consult a family lawyer in the future, we would have no hesitation in reconnecting with your firm.
I was guided through a really difficult time with expertise of Michael Lynch Family Lawyers. I am more than happy with the outcome of mediation.
We had such a positive experience with Michael Lynch Family Lawyers, and we highly recommend their services. Meticulous attention to detail, attended quickly to every additional request we made, and made sure we always knew exactly where we were every step of the way. Our lawyer took what was such a stressful and emotional time for our family, and made the process feel so smooth and seamless.
If I need a family lawyer in the future I’ll be heading to Michael Lynch Family Lawyers again.
My lawyer acted with professionalism in all her dealings with me and with the lawyer on the other side. I was always kept in the loop. I liked her approach. Thanks.
Thank you very much to everyone at Michael Lynch Family Lawyers. Thank you for helping me get my life back and make a fresh start. To have that fresh start without fear and anxiety is priceless.
Michael Lynch Family Lawyers have really listened to me. I felt confident my case was handled well. The law has changed recently, and I did not feel that a previous law practice I spoke to was suitably up-to-date.
I was very impressed with the initial interview. Everything was well-explained, and the advice was honest about what I should expect.
I just wanted to get in touch to say thanks for helping me get through my custody and settlement. Thanks again to you and your staff. You have had a significant positive impact in my kids’ lives!
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