grandparent dispute Mediation
Grandparent Mediation supports families experiencing conflict or separation where grandparents are seeking clarity around time and contact with their grandchildren. It is a confidential and voluntary process in which a neutral mediator facilitates respectful discussions, helping everyone reduce tension and reach practical arrangements that prioritise the child’s wellbeing while preserving important family relationships.
In the context of family mediation, grandparents often feel that their relationship with their grandchildren suffers significantly. Practically speaking, grandparents often report that they don’t see their grandchildren to the extent they use to, and have genuine concerns about the livelihood of their grandchildren.
Grandparent mediation is all about brokering and agreeing to specific terms that see the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren enduring.
Commonly Asked Questions
Do grandparents have rights?
Grandparents have no automatic right to have a relationship with their grandchildren. Conversely, the law holds that the paramount concern is the “best interests of the child or children.“ In this context, grandparents are specifically permitted in the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) to apply to the Family Court for orders relating to their grandchild, specifically for their grandchild to live with or spend time with them regardless of whether the child’s parents are separated or still together.
What are the first steps?
The best outcome is for the parents to acknowledge the importance of grandparents in the lives of their children. Accordingly, if there is an agreement in this respect, the specifics of which can be included in any existing or future agreements between the couple (parenting plan mediation or consent orders). However, in the event that this does not occur, the grandparents can apply to the Court for what we call, “parenting orders“ themselves.
what makes us different??
We respond quickly to our client needs
Unlike other options that may take up to nine months to obtain a mediation date, we can schedule a mediation in less than 21 days. We can also offer urgent mediation services if required.
We offer flexibility to our clients
We understand the challenges of juggling work and family obligations, and provide after-hours and weekend mediation options if required.
We provide teleconference facilities for parties in different locations
Zoom mediation lets you meet safely and conveniently from anywhere, saving time and travel. It keeps discussions private, helps everyone communicate clearly, and makes it easy to include multiple participants without stress or scheduling hassles.
We Assess Your Dispute for Free
We offer a free, initial, no-obligation assessment to discuss whether mediation suits you.
We Will Coordinate the Mediation
No need to worry about contacting the other party to your dispute. We’ll do that all for you.
Fixed Fee Mediation
You will know at the outset exactly what the mediation fees will be. In other words, unlike litigation, you’ll get no surprise legal bills in the mail.