What is Family Dispute Resolution?
Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) is a mediation service offered by an independent professional (in this case, Let’s Talk), that helps separated or separating couples agree on the best way to care for their children.
Albert Einstein
An accredited FDR mediator will help you, your children’s other parent or guardian and anyone else involved in the dispute to take part in Family Dispute Resolution together.
The mediator commits to:
- Help you resolve the issues that stop you agreeing on a plan that puts the care and well-being of your child first
- Help you make decisions that are in the best interests of your children
- Not try to get you back together, make judgements about who is right or wrong, or make decisions for you
- Allow everyone time to have their say.
To gain access to the Family Court for issues of care and contact, legislation now requires most disputing parties to attempt Family Dispute Resolution in the first instance.
There are exceptions to this, for example where there are issues of violence or where a party is trying to remove a child from New Zealand.
Your case will first be assessed to ensure that mediation is appropriate, to see whether you need Preparatory Counselling and to confirm if you’re eligible for government funding.
The Parenting Through Separation course is highly recommended to be completed by both parties (separately) prior to FDR mediation.
Learn more about the FDRC.
FDR Charges
If you are eligible for funding, FDR will be free.
We can advise whether you are eligible for funding, or how much it will cost you if you aren’t eligible.
You can also check your eligibility here for funding or call the Family Justice line 0800 2 AGREE (0800 224 733).
FDR and Restorative Justice
Sometimes, when a Parenting Agreement is not clear, or non-existent, it can lead to escalation of emotions which sometimes ends in one or both parties being charged in the criminal court.
Through Let’s Talk, FDR mediation can be run alongside a Restorative Justice process thus enabling the parties to have a clear guideline for care and contact of the child(ren) and reduce the likelihood of future tension.
Due to additional information provided in the RJ report and the FDR mediation agreement, it also gives the judge at sentencing better ability to provide a more appropriate sentence.
Grandparents & Guardians
Can Grandparents and guardians be involved with FDR?
It is widely recognised that grandparents play an important role in the lives of their grandchildren.
When family disputes arise, grandparents can often feel left out in the cold and unsure of their legal options, or what access they may have to support during what is often an emotional, challenging, and stressful time.
Grandparents can be parties in the FDR process. All guardians may be parties to FDR in respect of parenting or guardianship disputes.
Child Inclusion
Do the children have a say in the FDR mediation process?
The Child Inclusion process involves the appointment of a professional who is specifically trained and experienced in child inclusion practice (Child Inclusion Specialist).
That specialist works with the children on their won, allowing the children to have their voice represented in the mediation.
There is no additional cost for Voice of the Child where that process is provided within the government subsidised FDR mediation process
While Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) mediation can be challenging, Marian feels honoured to be trusted to help parents and guardians develop a Parenting Agreement in the best interests of the child(ren), particularly at a time when emotions can be heightened.
“One of the most satisfying parts of this work is when parents who are having difficulty having a productive conversation, are then able to develop their own agreement. They also learn that they may be able to resolve their own issues in the future."
Marian Shore
For further information,
or to initiate a FDR case,
please contact us.