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Perth Parenting and Consent Plans

Ascent Mediation and Dispute Resolution Services provides a SAFE, neutral and unbiased service where clients can discuss the care and maintenance of their children and themselves as individuals and parents.

Australian Family Law now requires that all Parents must attempt Family Dispute Resolution prior to beginning proceedings in the Family Court of Western Australia in relation to children.

ADRAMS supports Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Families and communities. We can provide translators if required at reasonable costs.

Exceptions

Exceptions do apply where Domestic Violence and other risk factors are present. Where this is evidenced by Safety and Risk Assessment, a s60I certificate is issued by the FDRP.

As an Australian Attorney General Department registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, Jo-Anne McNamara can issue certificates under section 60I of the Family Law Act 1975 (Commonwealth) which are filed with any Family Court Initiating Application by a parent.

Did you know that Family Dispute Resolution process may not be required prior to Family Court proceedings?  This is in circumstances that includes family violence, child abuse or matters of urgency.

The Process

The process of family dispute resolution includes:

  1. The initiating (1st) person makes contact with Jo-Anne seeking family dispute resolution.
  2. An Intake and Assessment Session is conducted with the first person.
  3. Thereafter, the second person (partner) is invited for family dispute resolution process session
  4. Jo-Anne then undertakes an Intake and Assessment Session with the second person/partner.
  5. Lastly, a Joint Session is conducted between both parties.

It is important that Family Dispute Resolution is conducted by a professional FDR Practitioner/Lawyer with the specialist training, having a thorough understanding of family law and conflict resolution.

Agreement

If you reach agreement, Jo-Anne will prepare a draft Parenting Plan which Both parents are required to sign and date the document to formalise it into a Parenting Plan.  Where there are Existing court orders, these  can be changed by Parenting Plans.  The Courts may have regard to recent Parenting Plans in making Parenting Orders that are lodged and filed by your lawyer in the Family Court.  Importantly, any Parenting Plans reached between parents should :

  1. Ensure that formal requirements are met so as to be admissible in Court.
  2. Be certain that any existing Parenting Orders be preserved to ensure those orders work together with any parameters previously intended to remain in effect.
  3. Make certain that Parenting Plans are drafted in a clear, concise, and comprehensive manner so there is no misinterpretation of the conditions agreed upon by parties.
  4. Where the Parenting Plans are concerned and agreed, to make certain that where there is no compliance by any party, the resulting action is in compliance breaches. This is so particularly of any current violence restraining orders.
  5. Make sure that the Parenting Plans comply with any relevant laws. This includes those providing for Interstate and overseas travel.
  6. Clearly state the terms both parents agree in respect to their child(ren) for school; holiday; special occasions and more. That way both parties know their boundaries in dealing with their children.

Agreements can be kept informal, or plans can be signed by each parent to demonstrate their commitment to them. These plans can also be lodged at the Family Court of WA to be converted to Parenting Orders by your lawyer.

Child and Family Focussed Mediation

Jo-Anne McNamara provides Family Dispute Resolution and Mediation Services in Perth, WA that are Child and Family Focused, aimed at:

  1. Every opportunity is given to both parties to resolve issues between them in a neutral, non biased, respectful and safe environment.
  2. To provide the parties with relevant information, referrals as required or deemed necessary, to any community resources, and other relevant / appropriate services which may be of benefit the parties. This also includes referrals for legal advice to Legal practitioners.
  3. If agreement is reached, the parties are assisted in the preparation of:
    1. Parenting Plans; or
    2. Applications for Consent Orders and Minutes of Consent Orders via Legal Practitioners.
  4. During the Dispute Resolution and Mediation process, open a way that empowers, creates the capacity of the parties to build both a positive and co‑operative parenting relationship in the future for the child(ren) .
  5. We do not give Legal Advice.
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