Family Law
Mediation Lawyers
We prepare you for family law mediation, advise you through it and turn any agreement into orders a court will enforce. Every new client receives a free initial consultation.
Family Mediation Lawyers Across Australia
Family law mediation lets separated couples settle parenting and property disputes with a neutral mediator instead of a judge. Our lawyers get you ready, come with you if you want us there, and draft the orders once you agree. We act for parents, grandparents and other carers, whether the dispute is about the children, money or both.
Preparation decides most mediations. Before anyone books a mediator, we work out what a court would likely order on your facts. Then we gather the financial documents and set your opening offer and your walk-away point.
It’s hard to bargain with someone you no longer trust. A clear plan stops you giving away too much just to end the discomfort, or digging in over points a judge would ignore.
Our offices are in Sydney (the CBD, North Sydney, Parramatta, Bondi Junction, Miranda and Marrickville), Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Melbourne. We also work by phone and video, so distance from an office needn’t stop you. For local services, see our Brisbane mediation lawyers and Melbourne mediation lawyers.
Want to know where you stand first? Book a free, confidential consultation below.
Award
Winning
What You Can Expect From Our Family Law Mediation Lawyers
When you bring your mediation to Unified Lawyers, our team will:
01
Hear the whole story before we talk tactics.
02
Build a bespoke mediation strategy with a clear walk-away point.
03
Report back after every offer, not just at milestones.
04
Tell you honestly how a court would likely view each proposal.
05
Aim to settle in as few sessions as your dispute allows.
Free First Consultation
Every new client receives a free initial consultation. A family lawyer will ask what’s in dispute, whether children are involved and whether there has been family violence. We’ll tell you which type of mediation suits you and whether you need a section 60I certificate before you can file.
Bring what you have: proposals you’ve swapped, a rough list of assets, debts and super, and any court orders. If you’ve already had an FDR intake call or a certificate, bring that too. There’s no obligation to engage us.
Book your free consultation today and walk into mediation knowing what you’re negotiating for.
Best Family Law Mediation Lawyers in Australia
Since 2017, Unified Lawyers has grown from a small team of 7 lawyers to over 45 family law specialists. Our Google profile holds over 600 five-star reviews, and the firm was recognised as the 2025 Specialist Family Law Firm of the Year by Australasian Lawyer.
Partner Mark Youssef has been an Accredited Specialist in Family Law since 2011. He is also a nationally accredited mediator and has served on Law Society of NSW family law committees. He was admitted in 2005 and holds a Master of Law and Legal Practice, majoring in family law.
Partner Alex Bourne and Crispian Carlowe are Accredited Specialists in Family Law too.
Special Counsel Charuna Chetty, admitted in 2004, handles complex parenting cases involving family violence, mental health and addiction. Those are the cases where the choice between shuttle mediation and an exemption matters most.
One point about certificates: we act as your lawyers. The accredited practitioner who runs the session and issues any certificate works for neither side.
Our Family Law Mediation Services
The right format depends on what you’re arguing about and whether it’s safe to share a room. We act in all of them:
Family Dispute Resolution and Section 60I Certificates
Before applying for parenting orders, you must genuinely try family dispute resolution (FDR), unless an exemption applies. The practitioner must be accredited; check the Family Dispute Resolution Register.
Without agreement, they can issue a section 60I certificate recording one of five outcomes. Either someone refused or failed to attend, FDR wasn’t suitable, you both tried genuinely, one of you didn’t, or FDR stopped part-way.
The Court’s exemptions cover urgency, family violence or child abuse (or a risk of either), and people who can’t take part effectively.
Lawyer-Assisted Mediation
Each of you brings a lawyer to the session. The mediator stays neutral while we test each offer against likely court outcomes. Before anyone leaves, we draft heads of agreement: a short signed summary of the deal that we later turn into orders.
We suggest this format for property disputes and for parenting matters where one person tends to dominate. It also levels things up when the other side already has a lawyer. Each state’s legal aid commission runs conferences for people who qualify.
Property Mediation and Pre-Action Steps
Property disputes don’t need a certificate. But the Court’s pre-action procedures expect you to invite your former partner to dispute resolution and exchange documents. If that fails, you send a notice of intention with a genuine offer before filing.
Since 10 June 2025, the duty of full and frank disclosure has sat in the Family Law Act itself. We collect the tax returns, bank records, super statements and valuations a property mediation depends on. More on our property settlement lawyers page.
Shuttle and Online Mediation When Safety Is a Concern
If there’s fear or a protection order, the mediator can put you in separate rooms or on separate video links. They then carry offers between you, which is shuttle mediation. Arrival and departure times can be staggered too.
Protection orders have different names in each state: an ADVO in NSW, a DVO in Queensland, an intervention order in Victoria. Their conditions still apply during mediation, so we check what contact is allowed first. Our domestic violence lawyers can help.
Child-Inclusive Mediation
Some FDR practitioners arrange for a child consultant to talk with the children, with the parents’ consent, and feed back what they hear. Nobody asks the children to choose a parent. The practitioner decides whether it suits your family, looking at each child’s age and maturity.
Since 6 May 2024 there’s been no presumption of equal shared parental responsibility. Proposals are measured against the best-interests factors in section 60CC, and our child custody lawyers can explain what that means for you.
Making Your Agreement Binding
A note signed at the end of a session isn’t enforceable on its own. A parenting plan must be written, signed and dated, but it can’t be enforced like a court order. Consent orders can.
Property terms become binding as consent orders or as a binding financial agreement. Consent orders are usually approved on the papers, with no court appearance. We draft both so they match what was agreed and stand up when a registrar reviews them.
600+
5 Star Reviews and Thousands of Lives Transformed
At Unified Lawyers, results matter because they matter to you. We’ve helped more than 8000+ clients across Australia resolve their family law matters with care and expertise.
SOHAIL H
The team at Unified Lawyers has been amazing from start to finish. Everyone I dealt with, from the accounts team and customer service staff to the lawyers, was professional, friendly, and genuinely helpful. My lawyer, Santino Romanella, supported me through one of the most difficult and complex legal battles of my life. My case involved significant challenges, including interference from third parties, issues involving the misuse of AI, and modern issues of gender-based violence, but he remained calm, focused, and committed throughout the entire process. To me, Santino was like a soldier. He stood his ground, never gave up, and worked tirelessly to protect my rights at every step. No matter what came up, he handled everything with integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment. One piece of advice he often reminded me of was to “be still” and “have composure,” which really helped me stay grounded during such a stressful time.
Adam Piotrowski
Jessica Adamovich was outstanding to work with throughout my family law matter. From the very beginning, she listened carefully, understood my concerns, and provided invaluable guidance during what was a very challenging time. Her advice helped me approach each step with a calm, steady mindset, always focused on achieving the best possible outcome. Jessica built a strong professional relationship with me, which made it easy to ask questions and discuss any concerns I had along the way. I always felt supported, informed, and confident knowing she was in my corner. I would happily recommend Jessica Adamovich to anyone navigating the family law system. Her professionalism, knowledge, compassion, and dedication made a difficult process much easier to manage. Thank you Jessica
Adam H-Anderson
With Anushkas assistance, and overall hard work, my family matter has progressed with very positive results. I am very happy with how things have progressed, noting that these matters do take time as there is a process to follow, however, Anushka was very reassuring throughout the entire process, providing guidance and clarity for ease of understanding for all of the steps along the way. Donna was also instrumental in assisting with both family and other matters, which overall helped to maintain a positive outlook throughout a challenging period of time. I highly recommend the lawyers at Unified to anyone that is looking for assistance in working towards a positive, balanced and as fair as possible outcome for a given family matter. As my family matter had progressed to a final hearing, Jessica B. was instrumental in providing professional advice, while displaying genuine care for the matter, which further aided in achieving a positive result for my family. Jessica is exceptional in her role as a Senior Associate and I couldn’t be more satisfied with the advice and guidance I received through a very challenging period of time. Thank you very much Jessica and thank you to everyone at Unified, I genuinely appreciate all of your work and would recommend Unified Lawyers to anyone that needed genuine high quality legal assistance.
Jeshurun Henshaw
The customer service and professionalism from Unified Lawyers was outstanding. From the initial consultation to the actual work – this was executed in a professional manner. Working with Jordyn enabled me to have the confidence that my particular matter was going to be dealt with efficiently and professionally from a person with exceptional knowledge in family law. I thoroughly recommend Unified Lawyers.
Andrea Gartmann
Jordyn was outstanding to work with from start to finish. She was professional, knowledgeable, and made a complex process feel simple and manageable. At every stage, she explained things clearly and kept us fully informed, which gave us real confidence and peace of mind. Her communication was always prompt and friendly, and she genuinely took the time to understand our situation and what we needed. We always felt supported and like we were in very capable hands. We thank her from the bottom of our hearts. We’re extremely grateful for her hard work and would highly recommend Jordyn to anyone looking for a reliable, thorough, and trustworthy solicitor.
Caleb Thompson
I was extremely happy with Unified Lawyers (Jordyn Nicholson) especially when nobody else was able to help me with my case, Jordyn would however and she did help me a lot in a short space as well as short notice. Very professional and easy to converse with, she stands with great defence on your behalf.
5 Stars
Thank you Jordyn.
Thank you Unified Lawyers.
SOHAIL H
The team at Unified Lawyers has been amazing from start to finish. Everyone I dealt with, from the accounts team and customer service staff to the lawyers, was professional, friendly, and genuinely helpful. My lawyer, Santino Romanella, supported me through one of the most difficult and complex legal battles of my life. My case involved significant challenges, including interference from third parties, issues involving the misuse of AI, and modern issues of gender-based violence, but he remained calm, focused, and committed throughout the entire process. To me, Santino was like a soldier. He stood his ground, never gave up, and worked tirelessly to protect my rights at every step. No matter what came up, he handled everything with integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment. One piece of advice he often reminded me of was to “be still” and “have composure,” which really helped me stay grounded during such a stressful time.
Adam Piotrowski
Jessica Adamovich was outstanding to work with throughout my family law matter. From the very beginning, she listened carefully, understood my concerns, and provided invaluable guidance during what was a very challenging time. Her advice helped me approach each step with a calm, steady mindset, always focused on achieving the best possible outcome. Jessica built a strong professional relationship with me, which made it easy to ask questions and discuss any concerns I had along the way. I always felt supported, informed, and confident knowing she was in my corner. I would happily recommend Jessica Adamovich to anyone navigating the family law system. Her professionalism, knowledge, compassion, and dedication made a difficult process much easier to manage. Thank you Jessica
Adam H-Anderson
With Anushkas assistance, and overall hard work, my family matter has progressed with very positive results. I am very happy with how things have progressed, noting that these matters do take time as there is a process to follow, however, Anushka was very reassuring throughout the entire process, providing guidance and clarity for ease of understanding for all of the steps along the way. Donna was also instrumental in assisting with both family and other matters, which overall helped to maintain a positive outlook throughout a challenging period of time. I highly recommend the lawyers at Unified to anyone that is looking for assistance in working towards a positive, balanced and as fair as possible outcome for a given family matter. As my family matter had progressed to a final hearing, Jessica B. was instrumental in providing professional advice, while displaying genuine care for the matter, which further aided in achieving a positive result for my family. Jessica is exceptional in her role as a Senior Associate and I couldn’t be more satisfied with the advice and guidance I received through a very challenging period of time. Thank you very much Jessica and thank you to everyone at Unified, I genuinely appreciate all of your work and would recommend Unified Lawyers to anyone that needed genuine high quality legal assistance.
Jeshurun Henshaw
The customer service and professionalism from Unified Lawyers was outstanding. From the initial consultation to the actual work – this was executed in a professional manner. Working with Jordyn enabled me to have the confidence that my particular matter was going to be dealt with efficiently and professionally from a person with exceptional knowledge in family law. I thoroughly recommend Unified Lawyers.
Andrea Gartmann
Jordyn was outstanding to work with from start to finish. She was professional, knowledgeable, and made a complex process feel simple and manageable. At every stage, she explained things clearly and kept us fully informed, which gave us real confidence and peace of mind. Her communication was always prompt and friendly, and she genuinely took the time to understand our situation and what we needed. We always felt supported and like we were in very capable hands. We thank her from the bottom of our hearts. We’re extremely grateful for her hard work and would highly recommend Jordyn to anyone looking for a reliable, thorough, and trustworthy solicitor.
Caleb Thompson
I was extremely happy with Unified Lawyers (Jordyn Nicholson) especially when nobody else was able to help me with my case, Jordyn would however and she did help me a lot in a short space as well as short notice. Very professional and easy to converse with, she stands with great defence on your behalf.
5 Stars
Thank you Jordyn.
Thank you Unified Lawyers.
Affordable Mediation Lawyers Without Sacrificing Expertise
Mediation costs come in two parts: the mediator’s fee, usually shared, and your own lawyer’s time. Family Relationships Online gives the example of a three-hour Family Relationship Centre mediation costing under $200, against upwards of $50,000 each to go to court.
Private mediators set their own rates. Before you book one, ask for the half-day and full-day fee, whether preparation time is extra, and who pays for the room. Book a full day if a business, trust or several properties are involved, because half days tend to run out of time.
Your costs rise with the number of issues, a business or trust to value, missing documents and extra sessions. The cheapest mediations are the ones where both sides swapped documents well before the day.
Ask us for an estimate for each stage before you commit. Our fees are based on the time we spend.
Fixed fees:
for defined stages of your matter, where we can.
Time interval billing:
usually an hourly rate.
No charge for small tasks:
we don’t bill for brief phone calls, printing, postage or faxes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Law Mediation
Is family law mediation compulsory?
For parenting orders, usually yes. You file a section 60I certificate with your application, or an affidavit explaining why an exemption applies. Ask us before relying on an exemption, because a registrar can refuse to accept the application.
Property cases need no certificate, but the Court expects genuine pre-action steps first. It can order costs against someone who skips them.
How long is a section 60I certificate valid?
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia treats it as valid for 12 months. If it lapses before you file, you’ll usually need to go back to FDR for a new one. Its only job is to let you file; it isn’t evidence.
No certificate issues when you reach agreement. So if that deal later falls apart, you may need to mediate again before you can file. Check the date on yours before you start drafting.
What happens if my former partner won't come to mediation?
The practitioner can issue a certificate saying the other person refused or failed to attend, and you can then apply for parenting orders. A different certificate covers someone who turns up but makes no genuine effort.
The Court may order more FDR under section 13C or award costs under section 117. A refusal doesn’t stop your case. In a property dispute, you move on to a notice of intention and then filing.
Do I need a lawyer at mediation?
No, and many parenting mediations run without lawyers in the room. But the mediator must stay neutral and can’t advise you.
Get advice before the session and before you sign anything. If an offer surprises you on the day, ask for a break and call your lawyer. In property mediation, having a lawyer beside you is common and usually worth the cost.
Who pays for a private mediator?
Usually the two of you split the fee equally, but that’s open to negotiation, and it’s worth settling in writing. Sometimes one person pays up front and the amount is adjusted in the property settlement.
Agree on it before the session so it doesn’t become one more thing to fight about. Government-funded services charge little or nothing, and many others set fees by income.
Can grandparents use family mediation?
Yes. Grandparents, step-parents and others concerned with a child’s care can apply for parenting orders. The same section 60I rule applies to them.
The best-interests factors recognise the benefit of a child’s bond with other people who matter to them, where it’s safe. Family Relationship Centres offer FDR to extended family, and we help grandparents decide what to ask for without inflaming the parents’ dispute.
Can we mediate if we live in different states?
Yes. Most FDR practitioners run intake and sessions by phone or video, so distance rarely blocks mediation. The Family Relationship Advice Line (1800 050 321) can find a government-funded service.
Family law is federal, so the same rules apply in every state and territory, apart from some Western Australian matters. If one of you truly can’t take part, for example because of remoteness, that can support an exemption.
What happens if mediation doesn't settle everything?
Settle what you can and take only the rest further. For parenting issues you’ll need the certificate, and for property you finish the pre-action steps.
After filing, the Court usually sends parties to a dispute resolution conference. The chance to settle stays open right up to the final hearing. Partial agreements still save money, because a judge only has to decide what’s left.