Guest blog post by Andrew Crooke, Director of Family Law at Murdoch Lawyers.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) includes several methods. One such method available to separating parties is mediation. Mediation has become more popular over the years, as it is quick, affordable and confidential. As the name suggests, mediation is basically a negotiation expedited by a neutral third party. Mediators do not make any decisions, they just facilitate the negotiation. They also determine when and where the mediation process takes place, who is in attendance, and who pays for the mediation.

Usually, mediation is initiated voluntarily by the parties themselves. Sometimes it is required as per the statutes, court orders or contractual terms. It is a common practice in family, housing or small claim courts.

To ensure that the mediation process is successful, here are a few things that you should check with your family lawyer, as advised by the most experienced lawyers in Brisbane:

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Guest blog post by Woolley & Co

As a child, or even as a teenager, learning that your parents are going to get a divorce is stressful and confusing. You might be getting conflicting information about what it means from your friends, siblings, TV shows or online articles. Woolley & Co team has compiled a handy list of facts to hopefully answer some of your questions and ease your worries.

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Guest blog post by Vicki Jackson, a family law attorney with Rockhampton family law

Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) is a mediation process that helps families in conflict to communicate and to reach an agreement about issues related to their divorce, like child care, financial arrangements, child support and property settlement.

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Divorce is disruptive for kids, even if the parents live close to each other. But it’s particularly challenging when a non-custodial parent moves far away from a primary parent. It makes it difficult or impossible for the non-custodial parent to attend everyday events like sporting events or school activities or to have spontaneous time with the kids – like taking them out for ice cream. It’s also challenging for the kids to maintain contact with the extended family of the non-custodial parent. Children may feel abandoned by the non-custodial parent, or at least feel less close to them, because they are not with them every day. However, there are ways that parents can mitigate the challenges of long-distance parenting.

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There are many things to consider during and after a divorce. If there are children involved, managing your finances is especially important. Since divorce can be expensive, you need to consider the expenses of two homes, two sets of utility bills and the childcare expenses. How you handle these childcare expenses is an important aspect of your financial well-being after your divorce. But how do you manage the childcare expenses? What are the best ways to do this? This article will help you sort all the factors out and arrive at a plan that will best meet your financial needs.

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