Family Mediation Services for Parenting, Property, Children, Pets & Consent Orders.
Helping Families Reach Practical Agreements Without Going to Court.
At Dannielle Young Mediation, we provide professional Family Dispute Resolution and mediation services for separating couples and families across Brisbane and Australia. Our services include Parenting Mediation, Property Mediation, Child-Inclusive Mediation, Pet Custody Mediation, and Consent Order Drafting Services to help families resolve disputes, formalise agreements and move forward with confidence.
Whether you're navigating parenting arrangements, property settlement discussions, child-focused decision-making, pet custody matters or preparing Consent Orders following an agreement, we offer a calm, structured and impartial process designed to reduce conflict and support practical outcomes.
Most mediation sessions are conducted online via Microsoft Teams, making services accessible throughout Australia, with in-person appointments also available in Brisbane, the Western Suburbs of Brisbane, Ipswich, Toowoomba and the Gold Coast.
Parenting Mediation
Helping separated parents create practical, child-focused parenting arrangements, improve communication and reach agreements about their children's future care and wellbeing.
Property Mediation
A structured process for discussing property settlements, financial arrangements, assets, debts and future financial needs following separation.
Child-Inclusive Mediation
A specialised mediation process that brings children's experiences and perspectives into parenting discussions to support informed, child-focused decision-making.
Pet Custody Mediation
Helping separated couples resolve disputes about pet ownership, care arrangements and ongoing responsibilities through practical and collaborative discussions.
Consent Orders Drafting Services
Professional preparation of Consent Order documentation to help formalise parenting and property agreements reached through mediation or private negotiation.
Our Services
Parenting Mediation
Create Child-focused Parenting Arrangements That Support Stability, Clarity and Calm
Parenting after separation can feel overwhelming. Emotions are often high, communication may have broken down, and parents can find themselves struggling to make decisions that support both their children and their future co-parenting relationship.
Parenting Mediation provides a structured and supportive process that helps separated parents discuss parenting arrangements, improve communication and reach practical agreements without the stress, delay and expense of going to court.
As an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, Dannielle Young helps parents have productive conversations about their children's needs, routines and future care arrangements. The focus is always on creating child-focused outcomes that support stability, consistency and the ongoing wellbeing of children.
Whether you are recently separated, experiencing ongoing parenting conflict, or looking to review existing arrangements, Parenting Mediation can help you move forward with greater confidence and clarity.
Parenting Mediation Can Help With:
Parenting schedules and living arrangements
Shared care arrangements
School holiday and special occasion arrangements
Communication between parents
Decision-making responsibilities
Education and schooling decisions
Children's health and wellbeing
Introducing new partners
Relocation discussions
Child support discussions
Managing conflict between households
Parenting plans and future arrangements
Why Parenting Mediation Works:
Keeps children's needs at the centre of discussions
Encourages respectful and constructive communication
Reduces stress and conflict for children
Helps parents understand different perspectives
Creates practical and sustainable parenting arrangements
Allows parents to remain in control of decisions
Often resolves disputes faster and more cost-effectively than court proceedings
Supports healthier long-term co-parenting relationships
Property Mediation
Fair and Practical Property Settlement Discussions Without Court
Property settlement discussions can be one of the most stressful aspects of separation. Questions about the family home, financial contributions, debts, superannuation and future financial security can quickly become overwhelming when emotions are already running high.
Property Mediation provides a structured and impartial process that helps separating couples discuss financial matters, understand available options and work towards practical agreements without the need for costly litigation.
Rather than leaving important decisions to a court, mediation allows parties to explore solutions together and develop outcomes that reflect their unique circumstances, priorities and future needs.
Dannielle Young supports parties to navigate these conversations calmly and constructively, helping them work towards fair and future-focused property agreements while reducing conflict and uncertainty.
Division of assets and liabilities
Family home arrangements
Superannuation considerations
Financial contributions
Savings and investments
Debts and liabilities
Future financial needs
Spousal maintenance discussions
Interim and temporary financial arrangements
Business interests and financial considerations
Pathways to formalising agreements
Property settlement negotiations following separation
Property Mediation Can Help With:
Why Property Mediation Works:
Provides a practical alternative to litigation
Helps parties understand available options
Encourages informed and cooperative decision-making
Creates flexible solutions tailored to individual circumstances
Reduces conflict and uncertainty
Often achieves outcomes faster than court proceedings
Can significantly reduce legal costs
Supports a smoother transition into the next stage of life
Child-Inclusive Mediation
Giving Children a Voice Without Asking Them to Choose Between Parents
Child-Inclusive Mediation is a specialised family mediation process that allows children's experiences, needs and perspectives to be safely considered during parenting discussions following separation.
An independent child consultant meets with the children and provides feedback to parents through the mediation process. This helps parents gain valuable insight into how family changes may be affecting their children and supports more informed, child-focused decision-making.
Importantly, children are not asked to choose between parents or make decisions about parenting arrangements. Instead, the process helps parents better understand their children's needs while maintaining appropriate boundaries and emotional safety.
Child-Inclusive Mediation is particularly beneficial for separated parents experiencing ongoing conflict or struggling to agree on parenting arrangements that support their children's wellbeing.
Child-Inclusive Mediation
Can Help With:
Parenting arrangements after separation
Schooling and education decisions
Children's emotional wellbeing
Communication between co-parents
Introduction of new partners
Holiday and special occasion arrangements
Family transitions and change management
Why Families Choose
Child-Inclusive Mediation:
Keeps children's needs at the centre of discussions
Encourages cooperative parenting decisions
Helps reduce conflict between parents
Supports healthier long-term family relationships
Provides valuable insight into children's experiences
Pet Custody Mediation
Because Pets Are Family Too
When relationships end, deciding what happens to a beloved pet can become one of the most emotional and difficult aspects of separation.
Pet Custody Mediation provides a structured process for separated couples to discuss and resolve issues relating to the care, ownership and future arrangements of family pets. Rather than leaving these decisions to ongoing conflict or expensive legal proceedings, mediation helps parties reach practical agreements that prioritise both the wellbeing of the pet and the needs of those involved.
As an Certified Pet Custody Mediator, Dannielle Young provides a supportive environment where parties can explore options, communicate effectively and develop workable arrangements that support everyone involved.
Pet Custody Mediation may be suitable for separated couples, former de facto partners and family members experiencing disputes regarding pet ownership and care.
Pet Custody Mediation
Can Help Resolve:
Pet ownership arrangements
Living and care arrangements
Shared care schedules
Veterinary expenses
Grooming and ongoing costs
Relocation decisions
Future decision-making responsibilities
Transition arrangements
Why Pet Custody
Mediation Works:
Focuses on practical outcomes
Reduces emotional conflict
Avoids costly legal disputes
Encourages collaborative decision-making
Keeps the pet's welfare central to discussions
Consent Orders
Drafting Services
Formalising Parenting and Property Agreements After Mediation
Reaching an agreement is an important milestone, but properly documenting that agreement is often the next critical step.
Following a successful mediation, parties may choose to engage Dannielle Young Mediation to prepare the documentation required to formalise their agreement.
This service is designed for parties who have already reached agreement and would like assistance preparing the Application for Consent Orders and Minutes of Consent Orders for filing with the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
This service is also available to parties who have reached agreement independently and require assistance preparing the necessary Consent Order documentation without participating in mediation.
This is a document preparation service only and does not involve the provision of legal advice to either party.
This Service Can Cover:
Drafting Minutes of Consent Orders
Drafting Applications for Consent Orders
Parenting agreements reached in mediation
Property settlement agreements reached in mediation
Agreements reached independently by both parties
Review meetings to confirm agreed terms
Guidance on preparing documents for online filing
Why This Service Works:
Creates a seamless transition from mediation to documentation
Saves parties time and administrative burden
Helps ensure agreements are accurately reflected in formal documents
Provides a cost-effective pathway to formalising outcomes
Allows parties to continue working cooperatively after mediation
Who are these services for?
Parents needing a clear parenting plan
Couples wanting to finalise property settlement without court
High-conflict separations where structure and calm matter
Families needing online options for safety, distance or convenience
What you’ll walk away with?
Parenting: Parenting Plan and/or signed Consent Order terms (if appropriate)
Property: Heads of Agreement and/or signed Consent Order terms (if appropriate)
Clear next steps and timelines
How Mediation Works
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The first step is a confidential no obligation phone call. That’s all it takes. We will talk about your needs and whether there is an agreement to mediate or whether an invitation needs to be sent to the other party.
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Once you have decided that mediation is the way forward for you, if the other party needs to be sent an invitation, I send them an invitation to participate in family dispute resolution. If no agreement to participate is received in response to the invitation then a section 60I certificate can be issued.
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Once the other party has agreed to participate in mediation, each party will get confidential intake forms. That will be followed by an intake call with me where each party can privately share concerns and goals. I will assess suitability for mediation during this stage.
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A structured, supportive conversation designed to help you reach practical, workable agreements.
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Agreements are summarised clearly, and where relevant, s60i certificates can be issued.
Service FAQs
Q: What is Family Dispute Resolution?
Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) is a specialised mediation process that helps separating couples and families resolve disputes relating to parenting arrangements, property settlements and other family law matters without going to court. A Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner facilitates discussions, helps parties explore options and supports them in reaching practical agreements.
Q: What is Parenting Mediation?
Parenting Mediation is a structured process that helps separated parents discuss and make decisions about their children's care and future arrangements. Parenting Mediation can assist with parenting schedules, school holiday arrangements, communication between parents, education decisions, healthcare matters and other issues affecting children following separation.
Q: What is Property Mediation?
Property Mediation helps separating couples discuss financial and property matters following a relationship breakdown. This may include the family home, superannuation, savings, debts, investments, business interests and future financial arrangements. The goal is to help parties reach practical agreements without the time, cost and stress of court proceedings.
Q: What is Child-Inclusive Mediation?
Child-Inclusive Mediation is a specialised mediation process that incorporates children's experiences and perspectives into parenting discussions. An independent child consultant meets with the children and provides feedback to parents through the mediation process. Children are not asked to make decisions or choose between parents. Instead, the process helps parents better understand their children's needs and make more informed parenting decisions.
Q: Can mediation help with pet custody disputes?
Yes. Pet Custody Mediation helps separating couples discuss and resolve issues relating to pet ownership, care arrangements, financial responsibilities and future decision-making for family pets. The process provides a structured and practical way to reach agreements while keeping the wellbeing of the pet at the centre of discussions.
Q: What are Consent Orders?
Consent Orders are legally binding court orders that formalise an agreement reached between parties. Consent Orders can be used to formalise parenting arrangements and property settlement agreements without the need for a contested court hearing. Once approved by the Court, Consent Orders have the same legal effect as orders made by a judge.
Q: Can I apply for Consent Orders without a lawyer?
Yes. Parties can apply for Consent Orders without engaging a lawyer if they have already reached agreement. Dannielle Young Mediation offers document preparation services to assist with preparing the Application for Consent Orders and Minutes of Consent Orders for filing with the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. This service does not include legal advice.
Q: Do I need to attend mediation before going to court?
In many parenting matters, parties are generally required to attempt Family Dispute Resolution before commencing court proceedings, unless an exemption applies. Mediation provides an opportunity to resolve disputes collaboratively and often results in faster, more cost-effective outcomes than litigation.
Q: Do mediation sessions take place online or in person?
Most mediation sessions are conducted online via Microsoft Teams, allowing parties to participate from anywhere in Australia. In-person mediation appointments may also be available in Brisbane, the Western Suburbs of Brisbane, Ipswich, Toowoomba and the Gold Coast.
Q: Is mediation confidential?
Mediation is generally a confidential process. This allows parties to have open and constructive discussions while working towards an agreement. There are some exceptions to confidentiality that may apply under Australian law, which can be discussed prior to mediation commencing.
Q: How long does mediation take?
The length of mediation depends on the complexity of the issues being discussed and the willingness of the parties to engage in the process. Some matters may be resolved in a single session, while others may require multiple sessions to work through more complex parenting or property issues. Most matters move from first contact to mediation within 1–3 weeks (depending on both parties’ availability and readiness).
How much does family mediation cost?
The cost of family mediation varies depending on the type of matter, the number of participants and the number of sessions required. Please contact Dannielle Young Mediation directly for current fees and service options.
Q: Is mediation legally binding?
Agreements reached during mediation are not automatically legally binding. However, parties may choose to formalise their agreement through a Parenting Plan, Consent Orders or other legal documentation depending on their circumstances.
Q: Why choose mediation instead of going to court?
Mediation is often faster, more affordable and less stressful than court proceedings. It allows parties to remain in control of decisions, encourages cooperative problem-solving and helps preserve important family relationships while working towards practical outcomes.
Q: Can mediation help if we struggle to communicate?
Yes. Many clients attend mediation because communication has broken down. The mediator facilitates discussions in a structured and respectful way, helping parties focus on practical solutions and future arrangements rather than past conflict.
Q: Can mediation help us avoid going to court?
In many cases, yes. Mediation helps parties explore options, negotiate agreements and resolve disputes before court proceedings become necessary. Many families are able to reach parenting and property agreements through mediation without requiring a judge to make decisions on their behalf
Q: Do you offer online mediation?
Yes—most families now days are opting for online mediations via Teams. We can do online mediations anywhere in Australia. In-person mediations are still common too and we service Brisbane, Western Suburbs, Gold Coast, Ipswich areas regularly.
Q: Do we have to be in the same room?
No - mediations can occur in the same room or in separate rooms. Even online mediations can accommodate the parties being in separate private break out rooms. The mediator will go back and forward between each party in their separate rooms (whether physically if mediating an in person at same location by shuttle or online).
Ready to Begin?
Ready to Begin?
Start with a no-obligation 15-minute call to understand your options and next steps.