After a relationship breaks down, reaching an agreement that works for all parties can be difficult, particularly when trying to communicate with your ex-partner. We can help you to resolve divorce or separation disputes through collaborative family law.

It’s natural not to agree on everything, but your divorce or dissolution does not have to be settled in court. We can help arrange your finances and protect your children’s future through convenient out-of-court processes.

Every relationship setup is different, so we will consider your individual circumstances and then decide whether mediation, collaboration, or arbitration is most appropriate. The alternative resolution allows you to achieve outcomes that are more likely to stand the test of time and avoid costly court action.

Other benefits to reaching an out-of-court agreement with us include:

• By keeping matters out of court you can resolve issues in a non-confrontational way that can save time and costs.
• You may arrive at a resolution quickly and avoid taking court action. We have the skills to help negotiate settlement, with flexible options and manageable costs.

Out-of-court paths to reach agreement

There are three out-of-court methods that offer you control and flexibility over the decisions being made:

• Family mediation service – this involves discussing issues between you and your ex-partner with an impartial mediator to help to reach an agreement. Agreements reached can become legal through a court order.
• Collaborative family law – you will openly be discussing issues with your ex-partner, along with your lawyers, to try to negotiate an agreement together with the family’s best interests kept in mind at all times. Agreements reached can become legal through a court order.
• Family arbitration – the outcome of your case will be decided by a neutral arbitrator. Decisions by arbitration are legally binding.

Out-of-court agreements don’t work for everyone. If one person refuses to be honest about the financial circumstances, or are not prepared to try to come to an agreement, then your case will probably need to be decided in court.