What happens next? Timelines and our process.
Those are all important questions, and throughout the process we’ll explain each step along the way and help prepare you for mediation. You won’t be pushed into anything you don’t understand. We’re here to help accommodate the process for you and the other person so that you have the best opportunity to come to an agreement on how you care for your tamariki – children.
Keep an eye on your inbox
The email you used in the webform (or gave us over the phone) is the email address we will use to send you important information, case updates and share helpful guidance on getting the most out of FDR. You should have received a welcome email on sign up – if not please check your spam folder and add us as a contact.
What happens now?
Our first job is to review the details you’ve shared with us; we’ll be looking to ensure we have all the information needed for your case to be appropriately checked and to make sure mediation is suitable. During this step we will:
- Make sure we have the details of all tamariki at the heart of the case as well as the details of the other person(s).
- Review any important and safety related information shared, like if there are any instances of harm, abuse or anything similar. The specific details are not shared with the other person unless you would like them to be.
- Review and note any accommodations and considerations you may have requested, e.g. disability, language, cultural and other support requirements mentioned.
- Organise a review of suitability by a Duty Mediator.
The initial review process usually takes a week, and if a Resolution Coordinator needs any further details, they will contact you. Next, we will contact the other person about the request and invite them to participate.
You may be worried that they may not consent or hold up getting started. Although this step can take time, we explain to everyone why FDR mediation is beneficial to participate in, which includes:
- Consensual and informal – there are no judges or decisions made by anyone else, you can discuss and come to an agreement on anything important relating to the care of your tamariki with the other person.
- Free for everyone – you do not need a lawyer to participate, nor pay any court costs. FDR is fully funded by the Ministry of Justice.
- Fast and flexible meeting schedule – the Family Court has a long queue and requires you both to be available at a set time as decided by the court, often many months in advance before a hearing happens. Mediation is much quicker and allows for more flexibility for everyone involved.
- Tamariki centred – at the heart of the process is your shared interest of your tamariki upbringing and care, mediation often allows you to make more flexible and beneficial arrangements for their care, and it also allows them to have a voice in the process while you create your shared agreement.
Depending on how much the other person already knows about FDR and whether they are expecting this request, they may need some time to consider. From our experience, it usually takes on average 4 weeks (this could be longer during holiday periods).
When the other person agrees to participate, we’ll ask them about their goals and suitability for FDR.
A Resolution Coordinator will be assigned to the case. They’ll become your central point of contact and organise the process with you and the other person.
Your Resolution Coordinator will confirm and let you know you are ready to start the next part of the process with the other person, which begins with setting a time for your ‘Getting Ready Call’ which is a private call with one of our team. This call is to help you understand the FDR process and prepare for your mediation journey.
We know that communicating with an ex (or another person in cases with wider family member involvement) can be difficult and it may feel like that discussing these matters and agreeing to anything is impossible. Preparation to get the most out of mediation is one of the single most effective activity you can do to get the most out of FDR. We’ll share some resources along the way.
Remember, coming to some form of agreement with any part of your tamariki care will benefit you . Our goal is not dive into the past or assign blame, but the future care of your tamariki.
Check your inbox
Our first emails to you will contain timeframes and specific next steps based on your application. Your Resolution Coordinator will send you further email updates when there is progress. Once everyone agrees to participate and all applications have been reviewed, your mediation can get start. Remember, it can take around 4 weeks to 6 weeks to get to this stage.