Your Questions, Answered

We offer family dispute resolution and mediation services for separating couples and families. This includes parenting arrangements, property matters, and co-parenting communication. We also issue Section 60I or Section 66H certificates required for parenting matters before the Court.

Getting started is simple. Reach out through our contact form or schedule a call—we’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.

Government and not-for-profit services can be a good option for some people, and we'd never discourage anyone from exploring them. However, they often come with significant waiting times, limited availability, and less flexibility around how and when sessions are conducted. At Resolve Well, you get prompt access to an accredited practitioner, sessions that work around your schedule, and a personalised approach from start to finish. For many people, the cost difference is worth it for the faster resolution and the quality of the experience.

That's completely normal, you don't need the other person's agreement before contacting us. We'll talk with you first, and if mediation seems suitable, we'll reach out to the other party on your behalf and invite them to participate.

If the other party declines or doesn't respond, we can issue you the relevant certificate confirming that you made a genuine attempt to resolve the matter. This certificate is required before most parenting applications can be filed in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.

It depends on the circumstances. Family dispute resolution is not appropriate in all situations involving family violence. We conduct a careful screening process with each party to assess whether mediation is safe and suitable. In some cases, exemptions apply and a certificate can be issued without mediation proceeding.

No. We offer shuttle mediation where parties are in separate rooms (or separate online calls), and the mediator moves between you. This is common where there is conflict, power imbalance, or simply a preference not to be face to face.

It's not required, but it can be helpful, particularly for property matters. Having a general understanding of your legal position can help you make informed decisions during the session. If you don't have a lawyer, we can point you toward appropriate resources.

You don't need a lawyer to participate in mediation; that's one of the reasons many people choose it. Our role is to help you reach your own agreements, not to provide legal advice. We always recommend seeking independent legal advice before signing any formal agreement, and we can point you toward appropriate resources if needed.

Think about what matters most to you and what a workable outcome might look like. Write down the key issues you want to address and any practical concerns you have. If your mediation involves parenting arrangements, consider your children's current routine, their needs, and how you'd like things to look going forward. Coming prepared helps the session run more efficiently and gives you the best chance of reaching an agreement.

This depends on the nature of your dispute. For parenting matters, it helps to have details of the current care arrangements, school and activity schedules, and any relevant orders already in place. For property matters, having a general picture of your assets, liabilities, and financial situation will be useful. We'll guide you on what's relevant during your intake call.

Yes. If your mediation involves property or financial matters, both parties are expected to provide full and frank financial disclosure, including details of assets, liabilities, income, and superannuation. To make sure this process is done properly and that both parties have had time to review and understand the information before the session, we schedule an additional preparation appointment. This means no one is receiving documents for the first time on the day and feeling overwhelmed, everyone arrives informed and ready to have a productive conversation.

Try to focus on the future rather than the past. Mediation works best when both parties are focused on finding practical solutions rather than revisiting grievances. Think about what you need, what the other party might need, and where there might be room for compromise. If children are involved, keeping their wellbeing at the centre of discussions will help guide the conversation.

It's completely normal to feel anxious, upset, or frustrated, these are significant life decisions. Give yourself time before the session to settle, and remember that you can ask for a break at any time. The mediator is there to keep the process structured and respectful. You don't have to respond to everything immediately — it's okay to take a moment before you speak.

e'll start by explaining the process, the ground rules, and our role as mediator. Each party will have the opportunity to speak about their situation and what they're hoping to achieve. From there, we work through the issues together in a structured way, with the goal of reaching practical agreements that work for your family.

This is a good question that is often asked, we understand that having a support person can make the mediation feel easier for people. We are open to having those discussions and each situation will be assessed to ensure a support person is going to improve the process for all parties.

Not reaching an agreement isn't necessarily the end of the road. You can request the relevant certificate, which is required if you wish to make an application to the Court. You're also welcome to book a further mediation session if you feel more time would help you reach an outcome. If you're considering making a court application, we recommend seeking independent legal advice before doing so.

Any agreement or 'Heads of Agreement' reached and signed at mediation is not legally binding. If you would like your agreement to become legally binding, you will need to seek independent legal advice.

We strongly recommend it. Mediation is a fantastic way to reach agreement, but property settlements often need to be structured in specific ways to be legally effective and to protect both parties. A lawyer can review your Heads of Agreement to make sure it does what you intend it to do, identify any issues you may not have considered, and help you formalise it correctly — whether that's through Consent Orders or a Binding Financial Agreement. Getting legal advice at this stage can save significant problems down the track.

Absolutely. Resolve Well is committed to inclusive, respectful practice for all families. We will work with you to make sure the process is accessible and appropriate for your needs — whether that means adjusted session formats, additional time, or other accommodations. Please let us know what would help you participate fully.

Every family situation is different, and some matters are more complex than others. We will always work with you to find the most appropriate pathway. Depending on the nature and complexity of your matter, this might mean bringing in a co-mediator to support the process, recommending legally assisted mediation where lawyers are present during the session, or referring you to a service better suited to your specific needs.

Mediation is almost always the best option where it is safe to do so — it keeps you and the other party in control of the outcome, rather than handing that control to a court. But the right type of mediation matters, and we won't proceed with a process that isn't appropriate for your circumstances. Our goal is to make sure you get the right support, even if that means pointing you in a different direction.