We’re very proud to announce a couple of major milestones for our Family Law expert, Deb Inder.
Deb’s now a member of the New Zealand Law Society’s Panel of Mediators as a Family Specialist, making her one of only three throughout all of Central Otago.
She’s also recently completed her Post-Graduate Diploma in Child Advocacy – with distinction, no less. Her paper on child-centric practice is being reproduced in professional publications, including the New Zealand Family Law Journal and the New Zealand Family Law Section publication, The Family Advocate.
Deb’s certification as a specialist mediator is a natural progression, building on her extensive experience and professional development in Family Law.
Mediation as an effective, alternative forum to work through, and resolve, conflict within families is gaining increasing traction nationally, and already has a strong foothold internationally, she says.
“For many people it’s proving a far quicker, more cost-effective and less stressful path to resolution than filing Court proceedings.”
Deb’s role as specialist mediator sees her help families work through issues, typically post-separation, including relationship property disagreements, child care arrangements and other parenting and guardianship issues.
Mediation’s success often rests largely on the skill and experience of the mediator, and, if you’re considering this path, it’s important you ensure any intermediary is properly qualified and fully understands Family Law.
For her part, Deb brings a working knowledge of the realities of the system, in-depth knowledge of children’s perspectives, bolstered by extensive professional development, and a decade working “at the coal face” with families navigating relationship breakdowns.
“It’s really important to identify at the outset whether the situation is one that’s suitable for mediation. In cases where, for example, there’s been domestic violence, or there is a power imbalance, mediation may not the best route,” Deb says.
“Sometimes, too, the parties are past the point of mediation, and it’s not in their interests – financially or emotionally.
“I won’t take on any mediation until I’ve conducted a careful screening process to ensure it is a realistic alternative and is likely to be productive and helpful.”
Through mediation, when families arrive at agreement, they also have the option of having it signed off as a Court Order and/or a property settlement agreement, meaning it’s legally binding and enforceable.
“Going through the Court process to get to an outcome means much longer waiting times, and that can bring about increased tension and frustration between the parties, and more entrenched positions. In the right circumstances, mediation offers a way to deal with issues in a timely way and defuses pressure before things reach the point of adversarial and lengthy Court proceedings.”
Properly-accredited Family Law mediators are neutral, independent and should have a working knowledge of the law, road-tested solutions for common problems, be familiar with the latest research on what’s best for children and bring a sympathetic understanding of the immense challenges and stresses families can face after separation, Deb says.
If you want to explore mediation around relationship property difficulties or care arrangements for your children, feel free to give Deb a call for a no-obligation chat. She’s more than happy to talk through what’s involved with mediation, and whether it’s worth considering for your particular situation.