Resolving disputes

Resolving a dispute after you have separated or divorced does not always mean you have to go straight to the Family Court.

This video, part of a series produced by Legal Aid Western Australia, introduces the various services, methods and options available to help you resolve a dispute with your former spouse or partner.

Transcript

Resolving disputes—different methods of dispute resolution after separation

TEXT: Resolving disputes—different methods of dispute resolution after separation

TEXT: When separating. A guide for doing what's best for you and your family after separation.

LOGO: Legal Aid Queensland.

[GENTLE ACOUSTIC MUSIC PLAYS]

Vision shows of a young couple and an older couple having discussions with their lawyers as a male speaker begins a voiceover.

MALE SPEAKER: Have you recently separated from your partner? You may be wondering, “What do I do now?” A lot of people think they have to go to court when they separate.

The male speaker appears on screen as a young man wearing a white open–collared shirt and standing in front of a white background as he addresses the camera.

Vision shows of an older middle–aged woman sitting with a young lawyer who is smiling and writing in a notebook.

Vision shows of a small, sparsely occupied courtroom with the camera positioned behind the judge.

Vision shows of the older middle–aged couple sitting at a living–room table and going through paperwork.

Vision shows of the man from the young couple sitting attentively in a discussion. A computer desk sits in the background.

Vision returns to the male speaker addressing the camera in front of a white background.

MALE SPEAKER: In reality, most people end up working things out without needing to ask the court for help. Let’s take a look at four different ways you can go about making arrangements for children and property division after a separation. The ones we’ll focus on here are negotiation, family dispute resolution, collaborative law and litigation.

TEXT: Negotiation

TEXT: Family dispute resolution

TEXT: Collaborative Law

TEXT: Litigation

MALE SPEAKER: Have you been talking with your former partner?

TEXT Negotiation

Vision shows of the older middle–aged couple sitting at a living–room table and going through paperwork.  The camera pans out and the male voiceover is standing in the foreground of the kitchen, while the couple continue their discussion in the background. The camera pans back to the middle-aged couple talking.

MALE SPEAKER: Perhaps putting forward some ideas about what you can do about the children or the house? You’re negotiating. This can be a pretty flexible process and might involve sitting down with the other person, talking over the phone or writing letters and emails back and forth. You can negotiate with or without the assistance of a lawyer, however it’s always wise to get some legal advice first so you’re working with the best information possible.

Vision shows of the older middle–aged man talking on a phone.

Vision shows of the older middle–aged woman typing an email.

Vision shows of the older middle–aged woman going through paperwork with a young lawyer.

Vision returns to the older middle–aged couple sitting at a living–room table and going through paperwork. The camera pans out and the male voiceover is standing in the foreground of the kitchen, while the couple continue their discussion in the background.

MALE SPEAKER: If you need to sort out arrangements for your children, family dispute resolution can be a good option.

TEXT: Family dispute resolution

Vision shows of the young couple sitting in a room while a legal practitioner stands at a whiteboard addressing them.

Vision shows the male speaker addressing the camera in the same room as the young couple.

MALE SPEAKER: This process can also be used for sorting out property issues. It’s confidential and what goes on cannot be brought up in court later unless the law requires it. Family dispute resolution often takes the form of a mediation where the people involved sit around a table with a person called a mediator and try to reach an agreement. A mediator’s role is to ensure that each of you gets to discuss what’s important to you and facilitate constructive discussions, and the majority of people who attend family dispute resolution end up reaching an agreement.

MALE SPEAKER: Another way of sorting out your property and/or children’s issues is collaborative law.

TEXT: Collaborative Law

The older middle–aged couple sit in discussion with their lawyers while the male speaker stands in the background addressing the camera.

A series of shots show the same occupants of the discussion room in different clothing, indicating a series of separate discussions.

MALE SPEAKER: Collaborative law takes a team approach to problem solving. Each person and their lawyer agree not to go to court. If one person does go to court, then neither lawyer can continue working with the couple. This helps everyone to commit to sorting out the issues without court intervention or the threat of court. Negotiations are confidential and cannot be referred to later if you do go to court. This process will usually involve a series of face–to–face meetings between the people involved and their lawyers. The parties can jointly enlist the help of a psychologist, counsellor, financial adviser or other expert.

TEXT: Litigation

Vision shows of a young man wearing a backpack and entering a courtroom. An older woman carrying a clipboard directs him to his seat and the proceedings begin. The camera pans out and the male speaker is standing at the back of the courtroom addressing the camera.

MALE SPEAKER: Litigation means bringing court proceedings. Going to court can take a long time. It can get expensive and it’s often very stressful. Before you go to court about children it is usually compulsory to attend family dispute resolution. If you go to court, you’ll proceed through a number of formal steps controlled by a judge or magistrate. If you go all the way through to a trial, at the end a decision will be made for you. There is no fixed formula a court uses when making decisions about how much time a child spends with each parent or who gets what in a property settlement, so a particular outcome can never be guaranteed.

Vision shows a series of different people interacting in different courtrooms. The camera pans out and the male speaker is standing at the back of the courtroom addressing the camera at various stages.

MALE SPEAKER: There are times that litigation is the best option. These usually involve matters where there is either a significant lack of information being made available, or urgency or risk. If you are unsure whether the Family Court should be your first option, go and talk to a lawyer who can help you decide what to do. And, if you have tried the alternatives and have not managed to come to an agreement, then you can ask the Family Court to assist.

Vision returns to the male speaker addressing the camera standing in front of a white background.

So, which road is right for you and your former partner? There are many things you’ll need to consider but you might want to start by asking yourself some questions like…

TEXT AND MALE SPEAKER: Is it safe for me to meet one–on–one with my former partner? Am I concerned for my safety or my children’s safety? How well do my former partner and I communicate? Do we trust what the other person says? Do I feel confident negotiating on my own or will I need someone to help me? Are there any complicated legal or financial issues, or particular issues about the children’s needs? How much is it going to cost and can I afford it? How long will it take? Is assistance available from Legal Aid or a community based service?

MALE SPEAKER: It really is a good idea to get legal advice early on.

Vision shows of the older middle–aged woman getting legal advice from a young lawyer.

Vision returns to the male speaker addressing the camera against a white background.

MALE SPEAKER: A family lawyer can provide you with information relevant to your specific situation. Going to see a lawyer does not mean you have to go to court. A lawyer can be involved as much or as little as you want.

Vision shows the older middle–aged couple sitting at a living–room table and going through paperwork.

Vision shows the younger couple having an amicable discussion.

Vision returns to the male speaker addressing the camera against a white background.

MALE SPEAKER: Remember, even if you try one road and don’t resolve all your issues, you can always try another. If you are having trouble working through your issues relating to separation, it can be helpful to access extra support. Call Legal Aid for an appropriate referral, or access our website.

TEXT: If you need help or a referral. Legal Aid Queensland, phone 1300 65 11 88 or visit www.legalaid.qld.gov.au. Community legal centres, phone 07 3392 0092 or visit www.qails.org.au or look under “community legal centres” in your local phone book. Family Relationship Advice Line, phone 1800 050 321.

TEXT: This video is intended to provide you with information only. If you have a legal problem, you should get legal advice from a lawyer.

TEXT: Copyright 2012 Legal Aid Western Australia. This film had been adapted by Legal Aid Queensland from resources produced by the Legal Aid WA When separating project.

Legal Aid Queensland thanks Legal Aid WA for permission to reproduce this content. This information is copyright. All persons or organisations wanting to reproduce this material should get permission from Legal Aid Western Australia.

LOGO: Legal Aid Queensland, www.legalaid.qld.gov.au, 1300 65 11 88.  

Last updated 16 December 2021