FDR helps families find their own solution

Families come in different shapes including multi-generational families. The common factor is getting the right outcome for the family with the least stress.

A father with concerns about his young daughter’s ability to care for her child wanted to become an additional guardian. He was referred to FDR on the advice of his lawyer. His daughter was afraid of losing her child and of ‘involving the authorities’. After having a mediator help her to understand the FDR process she overcame her reluctance and agreed to mediation.

The mediator met with both parties separately, and a joint meeting in a neutral venue was planned. By this time father and daughter were talking again and moving towards agreement about what they wanted. The joint meeting helped them test their thinking and talk about how this might work in practice. They reached an agreement and decided that they did not need a court order.