I am going through a divorce and I am disputing parenting arrangements with my former spouse. She has obtained Legal Aid and recently approached me suggesting we try Roundtable Dispute Management before we go to court. What is this and would it be of any benefit?
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Answer by Lisa Wulfsohn, Malvern 3144 VIC
- This is a form of alternative dispute resolution which attempts to resolve family law disputes without going to court. Disputes that are suitable for this type of management include:
- parenting arrangements and children’s issues;
- adult child maintenance and child support;
- partner maintenance (alimony); and
- division of property particularly where parents have superannuation or a home mortgage.
- To access Roundtable Dispute Management one of the parents must have been granted legal assistance by Legal Aid. That parent must apply for Roundtable Dispute Management. The conference can be conducted in one room or can be conducted in two rooms so that the parties don’t have to speak to each other directly.
- The benefits of Roundtable Dispute Management are:
- it is quicker than going to Court;
- it is less costly than going to Court; and
- you can have more of a say in any decisions made about your children.