If you are unable to reach an agreement with your spouse or de facto partner in relation to parenting or financial matters, there are a few options available to you:
- you could try mediation or family dispute resolution;
- you could attend a private mediation convened by an accredited mediator;
- you could seek legal advice from a lawyer, who could liaise with your spouse and/or their lawyer on your behalf. You can still pursue family dispute resolution or private mediation, even if you engage a lawyer to act on your behalf.
Once an agreement is reached, it can be documented in Court Orders or a Financial Agreement. A Financial Agreement requires both you and your spouse or de facto partner to obtain independent legal advice from a lawyer.