Janine Moran - Mediation & Relationship Counselling

When a relationship has ended amicably, dividing up your worldly goods or deciding on living arrangements for your children can be hard. When it hasn’t ended well, it can be a nightmare. Even if you’re trying to be the better person, it can seem impossible to leave your feelings aside and negotiate with a partner who betrayed you or stopped loving you. If you’re the person who ended the relationship, you may be baffled as to why there has to be so much negative emotion involved.

For many separating couples, strong emotions lead to costly and psychologically-draining Court battles. Mediation is a much faster, less adversarial and more affordable alternative that allows you to determine your own future rather than having to accept the non-negotiable decision of a judge. By avoiding the destructive Court process, you will be better placed to avoid long-term conflict with your ex-partner, and ready to move on with a more positive life sooner.

Family Law: About Family Dispute Resolution

If you decide to go to Court to argue about parenting arrangements with children, you may find you need to first attend compulsory Family Dispute Resolution (FDR). FDR is the name the Family Court uses to describe mediation. Compulsory mediation for parenting matters has existed since 2006, when research showed mediation to be a more constructive way of resolving conflict than going to Court.

FDR or mediation sessions have their agenda set by you. It can cover the division of assets, spousal maintenance agreements, parenting arrangements, contact of children with grandparents and extended family, private financial agreements around child support and communicating successfully after you’ve separated.

As a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner accredited with the Australian Attorney-General’s Department, I am qualified to work in the Australian Family Law System and to provide certificates related to mediation for the Court as required. Find out more about FDR on my FDR and Family Law Page or my Mediation FAQs page.

I can help you create a detailed parenting plan that will ensure the best outcome for your family, or help you settle a few remaining small issues if you’ve already agreed on the main arrangements.

I can help you create a detailed parenting plan that will ensure the best outcome for your family, or help you settle a few remaining small issues if you’ve already agreed on the main arrangements. I can help you future-proof your shared parenting by helping you work pro-actively work through issues before they become a problem. I can also see you 3 months, 6 months, 2 years or whenever after for a “tune up” or revision of your plan as your children grow and your family’s needs change.

Agreements made at mediation may be made legally binding or kept open and flexible – we can talk more about that when I see you for an individual session. You will also find a lot more written about parenting agreements on my parenting mediation page and my preparing for parenting mediation tips page.

Under Family Court legislation I am obliged to be an advocate for the best interests of children. As a trained child-inclusive mediator, I take that role seriously. However I am also a strong advocate for the best interests of parents, because I know, and research proves, that children can only flourish when their parents’ wellbeing has also been attended to. Parenting agreements must work for the wellbeing of parents and children and when you are attending mediation with me I will be looking out for everyone’s interests.

I can help you to constructively and respectfully divide your assets.

I can help you to constructively and respectfully divide your assets. Unlike parenting mediation, property mediation isn’t compulsory but it is quickly becoming the preferred choice for parties wanting help with difficult decisions but who don’t want to waste vast amounts of money with lawyers.

Should your property matter end up in Court, legal costs resembling telephone-book numbers can sadly erode a large percentage of your hard earned assets. Even if you don’t end up in Court, it is easy to spend $10 000, $20 000, $30 000 and more just negotiating for a few months backwards and forwards between lawyers.

In contrast, property mediation can often be finalised in a few sessions. Depending on how complex your matter is, going to mediation and having your property agreement drawn up into Court Orders by your lawyer can cost less than $5000 in total – leaving a much greater amount for you to put towards your new life.

Prior to working in in the human services field I completed a commerce degree and worked in business, which means I understand couples’ complex financial arrangements – even when including businesses, trusts, contributions such as inheritances and future income that needs to be considered, such as differing superannuation schemes. I have written more tips on dividing your property here, and more about the property mediation process here.

As a private practitioner, I can move quickly to get your dispute resolved without long waiting lists.

As a private practitioner, I can move quickly to get your dispute resolved without long waiting lists. Having mediated hundreds of cases, I offer the experience you need when navigating the confusing family law environment.

I am famous for being down-to-earth and practical yet sensitive and sympathetic to all parties. Finally, I am one of few mediators who specialise in both relationship counselling and mediation. I know how relationships work and how relationships break down, and so I bring a sensitivity and understanding to mediation that can sometimes be the missing link in guiding you to resolution of your dispute.

I can issue the legal certificates required by the family courts, and make use of state of the art mediation tools including videoconferencing and an electronic whiteboard – which allows me to send agreements and financial spread-sheets instantaneously, if required, to your lawyer. I have a modern, comfortable and well-located office in Manuka with rear on-site parking, and if you engage me for mediation, you will find me responsive and accessible.

Family Law: About Family Dispute Resolution

Separated Parenting Agreements

I can help you create a detailed parenting plan that will ensure the best outcome for your family, or help you settle a few remaining small issues if you’ve already agreed on the main arrangements.

Financial or Property Settlements

I can help you to constructively and respectfully divide your assets.

Why come to me for Mediation?

As a private practitioner, I can move quickly to get your dispute resolved without long waiting lists.

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