Family Dispute Resolution (FDR)
Family law matters don’t need to be complicated and take years to resolve. FDR offers a more supportive path through separation. It’s designed to help separating families reach practical agreements about parenting, property, and finances, all with less stress, less conflict, and more clarity
Empowering families to find a better way forward. why families choose fDR:
1. Conversation over confrontations
FDR creates a safe and respectful space, where open dialogue replaces legal battles. With a qualified practitioner guiding your path forward, you’re supported through the most sensitive times.
2. Affordable and accessible
FDR offers an affordable alternative to costly court proceedings, allowing you to focus your energy on what matters most.
3. Faster resolutions
Court processes can be long and draining. FDR offers the chance to resolve matters without tension or uncertainty — so you can move on with clarity and confidence.
4. You shape the outcome
FDR empowers you to create practical solutions. Rather than having decisions made for you in court, you collaborate on an agreement that reflects your family’s needs.
What sets Halo journey apart in fDR?
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We’re not a one-and-done service. From prep to post-agreement support, we’re with you before, during and after your mediation.
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Where children are involved, we keep their well-being at the heart of every decision. We guide healthy, future-focused parenting conversations.
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You’ll be supported by a small team of big hearts and deep experience. With extensive backgrounds previously in law, children's psychology, psychotherapy, and property mediation, our FDR practitioners understand the emotional weight of family matters.
Our FDR-certified professionals are not just qualified — they’re kind, calm, and deeply committed to helping you move forward. Give us a call today to help you decide if Nathan, Renee, or Evie would be a good fit for your situation.
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We know life doesn’t pause for disputes. That’s why we offer flexible appointment times outside standard business hours — so you don’t need to miss work, school runs or other important parts of your life.
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Every FDR journey is confidential and personalised. We offer a calm, non-judgemental space where both parties are heard — and real progress is made.
Sorting Property & Finances — Without the Stress
Helping you untangle the practical side of separation - from dividing assets and debts, to working out superannuation, investments, and more
Custody arrangements
Parenting agreements
Creating workable parenting plans that consider children’s routines, needs, and well-being. This includes who lives where, school holidays, birthdays, and special occasions.
Child-focused costs
Conversations about school fees, extracurricular activities, medical costs, and day-to-day living expenses
Living decisions
Supporting discussions around where children will live, and whether relocation (interstate or regional) is a factor.
Clear documentation – We help document the outcomes of your discussions clearly and professionally — ready to take to a lawyer or submit to the Family Court if needed.
The Halo FDR Process
A step-by-step guide of what to expect - served with calm, care, and clarity
Step 1 - A friendly first chat
Let’s start with a free 10-minute call. It’s simply a chance to see if Family Dispute Resolution is right for you. If you decide to book an intake appointment, we’ll email you your intake and information forms to ensure you feel comfortable and confident moving forward.
Step 2 - Getting To Know You
Your 60 minute online intake consultation is your chance to share what’s been happening and learn how the process works - in a calm, supportive space. The FDR practitioner will make an assessment to ensure the FDR process is appropriate for your situation.
Step 3 - Getting ready on both sides
Your practitioner will send a formal invitation to FDR to the other party and the they will have their own one hour intake session to share their story and prepare for the joint meeting.
Step 4 - agreement to mediate
After meeting with both parties for their individual intake sessions, our accredited FDR practitioner will carefully assess whether FDR is appropriate for your situation. If FDR is suitable, you’ll each receive an Agreement to Mediate form. Once both parties have signed, our practitioner will reach out to coordinate and book a mutually convenient time for your three-hour mediation session.
Step 5 - The joint session
Three hours will be allocated to your mediation. If extra sessions are needed, we’ll help organise those too.
Step 6 - Moving Forward
If an agreement is reached, your practitioner will prepare a written summary within 24 hours for both parties to sign, so you can move forward for the next chapter of your journey. If a parenting plan is requested in addition, this can also be arranged.
FDR Pricing Information
We know talking about money can feel a bit awkward – so we like to keep things clear and simple. Here’s how our Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) pricing works:
Individual intake sessions
$350 per person (60-minutes)
Joint Mediation Sessions
$350 per hour, per person
*The length of the mediation depends on how complex your matter is
Example of a simple case:
2 X individual intake sessions = $700 total
3-hour mediation session = $2,100 total ($1050 each)
Total: $2,800 (or $1,400 each)
*For more complex matters that need more time, extra hours are simply billed at the same rate:
$700 per additional hour ($350 each)
Every situation is unique, so feel free to give us a call and we’ll happily walk you through what the process might look like for you - including a personalised breakdown of costs.
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Renee
Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
Renee began her career in family and child protection law, driven by a deep desire to support families through tough times. Disheartened by how impersonal the system could be, she shifted to Family Dispute Resolution when it became a key step in family law and has now worked in the space for over 15 years.
She’s trained as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, Child and Family Therapist, Child Consultant, and Family Group Conference Facilitator, with experience across not-for-profits and private practice. Whether working with Legal Aid or in her own practice, Renee brings a warm, human approach to every conversation.
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Evie
Couples Counselling Specialist
Family Dispute Resolution PractitionerEvie is a compassionate and down-to-earth Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and Counsellor, with over a decade of experience supporting couples and families through life’s more challenging seasons. With a calm and client-led approach, Evie creates a space where people feel genuinely heard, supported, and empowered to move forward with clarity and confidence.
Specialising in both mediation and family counselling, Evie understands that no two families are the same. She tailors her support to meet the unique rhythms and relationships in front of her - always with care, respect, and a focus on what truly matters.
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Nathan
Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
NMAS MediatorNathan is an NMAS Accredited Mediator, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, and seasoned estate agent who brings a unique blend of experience to help individuals and families navigate life’s trickier moments with clarity and confidence.
Whether supporting clients through family law matters, parenting agreements, property settlements, or those hard-to-have conversations, Nathan approaches each mediation with calm, focus, and a deep commitment to practical, forward-thinking outcomes. With his real estate background, he brings insight into the emotional and financial complexities of property negotiations, offering steady guidance every step of the way.
FAQs
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Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) is a type of mediation that helps separated or separating families resolve disagreements, especially around parenting, property, and finances, without going to court. It's about creating solutions together in a safe, structured environment.
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The FDR practitioner can issue a Section 60I certificate if an agreement isn’t reached. You may need this if you decide to go to family court, though many families do find common ground with the right support.
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Not at all! Many families come to FDR because things are tense or communication has broken down. The mediator is there to guide the conversation and keep things calm, respectful, and productive.
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Parenting arrangements, where children live, how decisions are made, dividing property or finances, and any other important matters that come up when a family separates.
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Yes, usually. The law in Australia generally requires you to try Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) if your parenting matter is going to court unless there are serious concerns like family violence or safety risks.
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An accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner trained to manage conflict, support healthy communication, and help families reach practical, fair agreements.
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Item descriptionNot automatically – an agreement can be made into formal parenting plans or financial agreements. You can choose to have them legally formalised through a lawyer or the court if needed.
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It depends on the complexity of the issues and how ready both parties are to engage. Some families resolve things in one or two sessions, while others need a bit more time.
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Yes, in many cases. Let your FDR practitioner know in advance and they’ll discuss how this can work best.
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Safety always comes first. If there are concerns around violence, coercion, or intimidation, the practitioner will assess whether FDR is appropriate or suggest safer alternatives.
Get in touch
Whether you’re ready to book or just want to learn more, we’re only a message away
Email: info@halojourney.com.au
Phone: +61 414 975 728
Monday to Sunday 7 days a week 8:00am - 10:00pm (AEST)
Supporting Australia-wide, wherever you are