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Do you want to resolve a family law dispute without going to court? A family dispute resolution conference may be able to help, this factsheet offers information on why and how to organise one. Print version: |
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Why attend a family dispute resolution conference?
A conference can help you resolve family law problems about parenting issues, spousal maintenance or property settlement without going to court.
You may need to have a conference before lodging an application with the court. In some cases, the court might order you to attend a family dispute resolution conference.
Advantages of reaching an agreement at a conference include:
- your agreement takes into account your individual circumstances
- you make the decision rather than a court making an order
- issues that cannot be mentioned in court proceedings can be raised and discussed
- you avoid the stress and time involved in court proceedings
- low legal costs if you do not get legal aid.
My dispute is about property. Can I still have a conference?
You can attend a family dispute resolution conference if the dispute is about:
- the home you owned with your ex-husband or wife
- property or other assets you acquired during the marriage,including superannuation or funds where you may only receive a benefit at a later date.
If you do not qualify for a conference, you can access our Property Arbitration Program. See our Property Arbitration factsheet for more information.
Who will be at the conference?
- you
- the person you are in dispute with
- each person’s solicitor
- a registered family dispute resolution practitioner
- an independent children’s lawyer, if one has been appointed by the Family Court of Australia.
Children cannot attend the conference.
Where is the conference held?
The conference is usually held at one of our local offices. We can arrange a telephone conference if you are in a remote area or you have a domestic violence protection order.
When is the conference held and how long will it take?
The conference is held during business hours, in the morning or afternoon. We will arrange the conference for a date and time when everyone can attend. A conference can take up to half a day. You should set aside at least four hours.
What if I have a domestic violence protection order?
If you have a domestic violence protection order, we will ask for your written approval to hold a conference. You should immediately send us a copy of your order.
Is the conference confidential?
Yes, the conference is confidential so everyone can speak freely. But information that affects your children’s or other people’s safety cannot be kept secret.
What should I think about before the conference?
For a conference about your children:
- Where do I want my children to live?
- How often do I want to see or communicate with my children if they do not live with me?
- Do I want to see my children on special days like birthdays, Christmas, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day? Remember, your family may have their own special days you would like your children to be a part of.
- How will my children travel between my home and the other parent’s home? Who will collect and drop the children back?
For a conference about your property:
- What is going to happen to our property?
- What property do we own?
- How much is our property currently worth?
- What debts do we owe?
- Do we have superannuation and how much is it worth?
- What do you think would be a fair property split?
What should I do before the conference?
- Write down the arrangements you would like to see in place.
- Discuss the arrangements you would like with your solicitor.
- Make arrangements for child care during the conference. We do not have child minding facilities.
What if I need an interpreter?
Please let us know — before the conference — if you need an interpreter. We will then arrange and pay for an interpreter to attend the conference.
What happens during the conference?
Conferences can be held in one room, in separate rooms or by telephone. Time is always made for you to meet privately with your solicitor and have a break if you need one.
When the conference starts, the family dispute resolution practitioner will explain how the conference will run.It is their role to help you discuss the issues in dispute and resolve these issues. The family dispute resolution practitioner does not give legal advice or make decisions for anyone.
What happens after the conference?
The family dispute resolution practitioner makes confidential recommendations to us about continuing your legal aid grant. We will consider the practitioner’s recommendations, but may not follow them. Legal aid will always be provided to file an agreement — called a ‘consent order’ — in the Family Court of Australia.
If you do not reach an agreement, the family dispute resolution practitioner can arrange a certificate you can use to show the court you attended the conference. In some cases you may need the certificate if you want to begin court proceedings. Ask the court for more information about this process.
The certificate will show who attended the conference and if they made a genuine effort to resolve their dispute. The court may take this information into account when deciding whether to send you back to family dispute resoltuion. The court may also use the information to decide whether to make an order for costs against a person.
How do I apply for legal aid for a conference?
To apply for legal aid, fill out an application form and send it to yourlocal Legal Aid Queensland office. Make sure you attach the financial documents asked for before sending it. Legal aid for a conference is available to anyone who meets our means and merit test.
If you are granted aid, we will pay your solicitor’s fees for attending the conference, subject to any conditions listed.
If you have genuine concerns about attending a conference, tell your solicitor and a Legal Aid Queensland officer immediately.
A family dispute resolution conference will help you make decisions about the future that are in your child’s best interest.