Parenting and Guardianship

Even when your family changes, your children still come first.
We help families work through parenting and guardianship matters in a calm, structured, and child-focused way.
From care arrangements and guardianship decisions to co-parenting challenges, our goal is to help families reach practical arrangements that support children and work in real life.
How we can help

What we help with

Care arrangements

Where children live, how time is shared, and how day-to-day transitions work.

Guardianship decisions

Schooling, healthcare, travel, and other important decisions guardians need to make together.

Co-parenting communication

Building workable communication and decision-making arrangements between parents.

Extended family relationships

Supporting ongoing relationships with grandparents and wider family where appropriate.

Changing family dynamics

Navigating blended families, new relationships, and evolving family situations.

A better way to work things out

Going to court isn't the only way to sort out parenting arrangements — and it's not always the best place to start.
  • Court processes can be slow, stressful, and place important family decisions into someone else's hands. Mediation provides a more practical and child-focused way to work through issues together.
  • For many parenting matters, Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) mediation is also a required first step before applying to the Family Court.1
  • At FDRC, you'll have a dedicated case manager from the beginning — someone who helps coordinate the process, keeps things moving, and supports you every step of the way.
1If there are family violence concerns or other circumstances that make mediation unsuitable, exemptions may apply under the FDR Act 2013.

Additional ways we can help

Voice of the Child

Where appropriate, children can share their views with one of our child specialists, so their perspective can be considered during mediation.

Child Development Consultation

Support to help parents better understand their child's developmental needs and considerations when creating parenting arrangements.

Preparation for Mediation Coaching

One-on-one support to help you feel prepared, communicate effectively, and approach mediation with greater confidence.

How much does this cost

Parenting and guardianship matters are usually offered as structured packages, with pricing based on the level of support, preparation, and coordination involved.
Packages for parenting and family matters start from $849 + GST.
We’ll explain your options clearly before anything proceeds, including:
  • what support is included
  • what the process may involve
  • and any additional services that may be helpful for your situation
You can view our pricing overview here:
Our pricing

What happens next

You don't need to have everything figured out before reaching out.
Start with a consultation or application
01.

Start with a consultation or application

We'll help you understand your options and the best next step.
We assess the situation
02.

We assess the situation

We understand the issues involved and ensure the right process is in place.
We prepare everything
03.

We prepare everything

We coordinate the people, agreements, and practical arrangements.
You move forward
04.

You move forward

The right specialist guides you through the process with clarity and support.

Common questions

Ready to take the next step?

You don’t need to have everything figured out before you reach out.
A free phone consultation is the easiest way to understand your options and decide what feels right for your situation.
Book a free phone consultation