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A Lawyer and a Mediator Walk into a Bar

The benefits of Mediation Before Considering the Court Process.

Ep. 1

What happens when a lawyer and a family mediator step into a bar? In the insightful first episode, Dianne and Paula dive into a conversation about their distinct yet complementary roles. They explore how a mediator and an attorney work together in family law cases, highlighting the benefits of beginning with mediation before considering the court process.


Whether you're navigating a legal issue or simply curious about the interplay between these two professions, this episode offers valuable perspectives on making the process smoother and more collaborative.



This podcast is designed to provide information and guidance on family separation, helping you explore your options in a clear and approachable way. While we don’t offer specific legal advice, we aim to give you insights from both legal and mediation perspectives, empowering you with knowledge to navigate the complexities of family separation with confidence

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  • 9. Understanding Binding Financial Agreements (BFA)

    36:43||Ep. 9
    This week on A Lawyer and Mediator Walk into a Bar, Dianne and Paula dive into the topic of Binding Financial Agreements (BFA). They discuss the importance of having a BFA in place to protect assets and ensure financial clarity in relationships. The hosts also highlight the necessity of regularly updating these agreements to reflect changing circumstances, offering valuable insights on how BFAs can provide peace of mind and legal security for couples.** This podcast is designed to provide our experiences of going through the family separation process, helping you explore your options in a clear and approachable way. While we don’t offer specific legal advice, we aim to give you insights from both our legal and mediation perspectives, empowering you with knowledge to navigate the complexities of family separation with confidence
  • 8. Children and the Litigation Process

    32:43||Ep. 8
    In this week's episode of A Lawyer and Mediator Walk into a Bar, we continue the conversation from last week’s episode, where we explored how children are included in the family mediation process. This week, we shift focus to the litigation side, examining how children are represented and their voices heard when family disputes go to court. Our hosts discuss the legal frameworks in place to protect children's best interests and the various ways the court system involves them in the resolution of family law matters. Tune in for an insightful look at how litigation can impact families and the crucial role children play in the process.Whether you're navigating family law or simply interested in how the system protects children, this episode provides essential insights into ensuring that children are properly considered throughout the process.** This podcast is designed to provide our experiences of going through the family separation process, helping you explore your options in a clear and approachable way. While we don’t offer specific legal advice, we aim to give you insights from both our legal and mediation perspectives, empowering you with knowledge to navigate the complexities of family separation with confidence
  • 7. How Children are Included in Family Mediation

    34:06||Ep. 7
    This week on A Lawyer and a Mediator Walk into a Bar, Dianne and Paula explore the sensitive topic of how children are included in the family law process. They discuss the ways in which children’s voices are heard, the importance of their wellbeing in legal proceedings, and the role of child-inclusive mediation. Whether you're navigating family law or simply interested in how the system protects children, this episode provides essential insights into ensuring that children are properly considered throughout the process.** This podcast is designed to provide our experiences of going through the family separation process, helping you explore your options in a clear and approachable way. While we don’t offer specific legal advice, we aim to give you insights from both our legal and mediation perspectives, empowering you with knowledge to navigate the complexities of family separation with confidence
  • 6. 60i Certificates in Family Law

    30:02||Ep. 6
    This week on A Lawyer and a Mediator Walk into a Bar, Dianne and Paula delve into the significance of 60i certificates in family law. They’ll unpack the role these certificates play in the mediation process, particularly in disputes related to parenting arrangements, and explain why they are a vital step before heading to court. Whether you’re a legal professional, mediator, or involved in a family dispute, this episode offers key insights into how 60i certificates can shape the resolution process and ensure that mediation efforts have been genuinely attempted. Tune in for an informative discussion that could make all the difference in navigating family law proceedings.** This podcast is designed to provide our experiences of going through the family separation process, helping you explore your options in a clear and approachable way. While we don’t offer specific legal advice, we aim to give you insights from both our legal and mediation perspectives, empowering you with knowledge to navigate the complexities of family separation with confidence
  • 5. Another Perspective on Separation

    37:03||Ep. 5
    In this week’s episode of A Lawyer and a Mediator Walk into a Bar, Dianne and Paula, talk about the separation from two distinct perspectives. Paula breaks down the legal ins and outs, focusing on rights, responsibilities, while Dianne explores the emotional side of separation, offering insights on finding common ground and fostering amicable resolutions. Together, they discuss how to approach separation with clarity and compassion, making it less stressful and more manageable for all involved. Whether you're navigating a family separation, involved in mediation, or simply interested in understanding these legal processes, this episode provides valuable insights into how disclosure and discovery can significantly impact the outcome of family law disputes, this episode is a must-listen for anyone facing or curious about the separation process.** This podcast is designed to provide our experiences of going through the family separation process, helping you explore your options in a clear and approachable way. While we don’t offer specific legal advice, we aim to give you insights from both our legal and mediation perspectives, empowering you with knowledge to navigate the complexities of family separation with confidence
  • 4. Why Disclosure and Discovery Matter in Family Law

    43:05||Ep. 4
    In this week's episode of A Lawyer and Mediator Walk into a Bar, our hosts focus on the critical role of disclosure and discovery in the context of family separation and mediation. They discuss the importance of transparency when separating couples exchange financial and personal information, emphasising how proper disclosure is key to a fair and effective mediation process. The episode also explores the discovery process, explaining how it helps ensure that both parties have access to all relevant information, which is crucial for making informed decisions and reaching a fair settlement.Whether you're navigating a family separation, involved in mediation, or simply interested in understanding these legal processes, this episode provides valuable insights into how disclosure and discovery can significantly impact the outcome of family law disputes.This podcast is designed to provide our experiences of going through the family separation process, helping you explore your options in a clear and approachable way. While we don’t offer specific legal advice, we aim to give you insights from both our legal and mediation perspectives, empowering you with knowledge to navigate the complexities of family separation with confidence
  • 3. Navigating Family Separation and Legal Pathways

    30:45||Ep. 3
    In this week's episode of A Lawyer and Mediator Walk into a Bar, our hosts take a dive into the legal intricacies of family separation. They explore the various pathways that separating couples can take, from the initial stages of seeking early legal advice to navigating the process through negotiation & mediation. The episode provides a comprehensive overview of alternative dispute resolution methods, such as family dispute resolution (FDR) which can help families avoid the stress and cost of going to court.Whether you're a legal professional, someone going through a family separation, or simply interested in understanding the family law system, this episode offers valuable insights into the journey from separation to resolution, with a focus on the many options available to avoid litigation.This podcast is designed to provide our experiences of going through the family separation process, helping you explore your options in a clear and approachable way. While we don’t offer specific legal advice, we aim to give you insights from both our legal and mediation perspectives, empowering you with knowledge to navigate the complexities of family separation with confidence
  • 2. Parenting Plans and Parenting Agreements

    30:49||Ep. 2
    In this week’s episode, Dianne and Paula continue their exploration of family law, focusing on the crucial topics of family plans and family agreements. They discuss how these agreements can provide clarity and stability in various family situations and the roles both a lawyer and a mediator play in crafting them. From understanding the legal implications to ensuring that every voice is heard, this episode sheds light on the collaborative process of creating effective family plans. Whether you’re dealing with a family matter or simply interested in how legal professionals can help families reach harmonious agreements, this episode offers valuable insights.This podcast is designed to provide information and guidance on family separation, helping you explore your options in a clear and approachable way. While we don’t offer specific legal advice, we aim to give you insights from both legal and mediation perspectives, empowering you with knowledge to navigate the complexities of family separation with confidence