About us

FDSS – Family Disputes Support Services is a not-for-profit community organisation dedicated to provide support and assistance to separated whānau who are dealing with parental disputes following the breakdown of their relationship within or out of the Family Court.

We are a collective of community members with a wealth of knowledge and extensive experience in helping families resolve their disputes amicably through conciliation, mediation or the Family Court system. For over a decade, we have been actively helping and supporting many whānau from all over New Zealand.

How it started

Empathy and lived experience-driven support and guidance through family disputes and legal challenges.

FDSS Founder and Trustee Zayne Jouma began his journey in 2002, motivated by his own challenging family separation case in the Family Court. By 2010, driven by empathy and social consciousness, Zayne started voluntarily assisting parents through the difficult separation and Family Court process. Zayne’s commitment grew as he recognised the widespread need for support among parents navigating family separation and the Family court proceedings. Then he decided to dedicate his life to research Family Court laws himself, to help other parents who desperately need guidance and support.

In 2021, Co-founder David Nips, was a former client, sought Zayne’s assistance with his court case and the support he received. Impressed by Zayne’s dedication, David proposed establishing FDSS Charitable Trust to support more parents facing similar challenges.

The ROOTS

From personal journeys to professional guidance: Empowering families through firsthand insights into separation and Family Court process.

The inception of FDSS services is rooted in our firsthand personal experience over a decade. We have witnessed hundreds of families struggling with the detrimental impact of adversarial separation and Family Court litigation. This insight strengthened our commitment to providing compassionate support, community guidance, and tailored solutions for families navigating these challenges.

As a not-for-profit community organisation, we focus on promoting open communication between parents to reduce parental conflict and litigation and prioritise the well-being of children in separated families.

who are we

A collective of community members with lived experience & dectitated amazing volunteers who are passionate about helping others.

Zayne Jouma is FDSS Founder and the Chairman of the trust. Zayne is a self-learned trained and experienced Mediator, Conflict Coach, Court Lay-assistant, Community Coach, and the Operations Manager of FDSS. He has helped hundreds of parents through mediation and conflict resolution, and assisted many in their Family Court and High Court cases across New Zealand. Zayne is an advocate for parents to resolve their issues out of the court, if possible. Zayne has a decade of extensive knowledge about the Family Court process and the High Court.

David Nips is the Co-Founder and Treasurer of FDSS Trust. In addition to his role as Treasurer, David serves as a Community Support Coach and Family Court Lay-assistant. He manages the trust and oversees funding grants. David possesses extensive knowledge of the Family Court process, having been a self-litigant himself in his own Family Court case.

OUR MISSION

Sharing knowledge, supporting & empowering separated whānau through their family separation journey …

“At FDSS, our mission is to empower separated whānau nationwide by providing accessible support services. We guide families through the complexities of family separation and the Family Court system, promoting amicable resolutions and safeguarding children from harmful conflict. Our community-led approach supports self-represented parents with practical guidance and advocacy, fostering inclusive environments that respect diverse cultural beliefs. Ultimately, we aim to alleviate the burdens of family breakdown, ensuring the well-being and stability of all families.”

OUR vision

Empowering families through amicable resolution and alternatives to litigation

To be the leading advocate and support network for separated whānau in New Zealand, empowering them to navigate parental conflicts and family disputes with compassion, resilience, and equitable outcomes.

We strive to prevent children’s exposure to violence and parental conflict, bridge the gap for self-litigants to access justice, and promote alternatives to unnecessary litigation within the Family Court.

OUR goal

Protecting whānau and children through guidance in parental conflict resolution and support during separation and Family Court litigation.

FDSS aims to prioritise the best interests and welfare of children, assist parents in avoiding high levels of parental conflict, and provide guidance for resolving disputes outside of the Family Court. Our goal is to safeguard the well-being of whānau and children during separation and reduce the emotional and financial strain on families.

Our services focus on prevention and intervention in areas such as family adversarial separation, family violence, parental conflict, child abuse and neglect and exposure to it, and prevent vexatious litigation in the Family Court.

the need

We empower and support whānau through one of the most difficult times in their lives

Each year, many New Zealand parents navigate family separation and the Family Court without adequate guidance, exposing themselves and their children to high levels of conflict, mental health, suicide and family violence. It can be really rough journey for many. While managing their sudden life changes, many also face the legal complexities alone, some parents have no choice but to represent themselves in the Family Court, facing significant challenges , that include limited financial means, lack of support. FDSS was founded to meet the urgent needs of families navigating these difficulties, providing crucial support and guidance amidst the complexities of the Family Court system and Family separation.

The struggle is real !

In 2008, a Principal Family Court Judge had called for more support and help for families going through the family court system . Also, another Judge had attacked the Family laws which tended to alienate the parents, generally fathers, who had lost custody and the judge had highlighted that the family laws lacks in sophistication.

Additionally, the 2018/2019 findings of the independent panel who examined the 2014 changes of the family court were very concerning. First, the panel chairperson Ms. Noonan had called for an urgent change in the family court system and laws, also she mentioned that the current family court system “is not fit for purpose”, she also said that the same issues had been raised in 1987 and she was shocked that so little had changed and she heard from many people that they felt being treated as criminals in the family court. Many parents we’ve known ended their lives or abandoned their children after despair.

Promoting access to Justice

“A recent media article highlighted that legal aid shortfalls leave people forced to represent themselves in court. Many media articles have been published about the issues facing whānau dealing with the Family Court system.

The issue of the lack of support for unrepresented families has persisted for decades and still not yet resolved. The fact that it is causing alot of harm on many families and children. The lack of support for these vulnerable families often exacerbates their parental conflicts and leads to a significant backlog in the system, family violence which often causes further undue delays in resolving their disputes.

FDSS plays a crucial role in bridging the access-to-justice gap through community-led services such as; one-on-one coaching support services and online workshops and virtual peer support groups

Why FDSS ?

For over a decade, our team of experienced coaches has supported thousands of parents and families involved in disputes within or outside the New Zealand Family Court system. Unlike lawyers, FDSS coaches are community members with firsthand experience navigating family separation and the Family Court as self-represented litigants—a unique advantage.

Drawing from this collective experience, we believe it’s crucial for parents to receive guidance from those who have faced similar challenges. Our coaches approach their role with passion, providing invaluable support and clarity during this difficult time.

Why do we exist ?

Dealing with family separation and navigating the Family Court is a complex and emotionally challenging journey, catching many off guard even with legal or moral support. The adversarial nature of New Zealand’s Family Court system combines legal and psychological elements, often contradicting, and compounded by a heavy caseload that slows processes. For parents already coping with sudden life changes and stressors, this can be overwhelming.

Through our extensive work with families nationwide, we’ve witnessed the devastating impact on parents overwhelmed by the Family Justice System’s complexities. Some face tragic outcomes, while others struggle financially, emotionally, and even lose access to their children. These challenges stem from gaps in understanding rights, navigating court procedures, financial strain, and more.

Our Goal

Children’s best interests come first..

Our goal is to meet the needs of all those families going through separation and the Family Court process, making them aware of the pitfalls of the adversarial separation process.

To assist parents in prioritising the best interests and welfare of their children, while preventing their exposure to parental conflicts.
To provide guidance to parents on how to avoid engaging in high levels of parental conflict and vexatious litigation within the Family Court.
To assist parents in navigating the most amicable options to resolve their disputes outside of the Family Court.
To promote open communication between parents, emphasising the importance of amicable co-parenting.
To educate and empower parents to make informed decisions throughout the separation and Family Court process.

Prevention is the Key !

“A strong fence at the top of the cliff is better than an ambulance at the bottom!”

Family separation and navigating the Family Court system can be profoundly challenging and traumatic for many families. It significantly impacts both the family and children involved. FDSS’s primary goal is to mitigate the harmful effects of adversarial separation and prioritize the protection and support of families throughout their separation journey. We offer a comprehensive range of community-focused services aimed at preventing and intervening in:

Family adversarial separation
Family violence and parental conflict
Child abuse and neglect
Family Court vexatious litigation

Diversity is our strength

FDSS supports a diverse range of families in New Zealand, including mothers, fathers, step-parents, and grandparents from various cultural backgrounds and ethnicities. We value and respect the diverse cultural beliefs, values, and social structures present within New Zealand families.

Throughout our guidance process, we prioritise the unique needs, values, and beliefs of Māori as Tangata Whenua, as well as Europeans, Pacific Peoples, Asians, Indians, Africans, Middle Eastern communities, and other ethnic and cultural groups across New Zealand. Our goal is to help families preserve and strengthen the resilience and positive aspects of their family values in harmony with their cultural backgrounds and beliefs.

Sound like something you want to be part of ?

What whānau say about us ?

5 stars reviews

★★★★★ 5/5

Philip- Auckland Ongoing Coaching Support

I cannot express enough gratitude for the incredible support I’ve received from Family Dispute Support Services, particularly from Zayne. This service has been nothing short of life-changing for me and my family.
Facing an impossibly difficult situation in the family court, FDSS provided me with hope, energy, determination, and most importantly, successes I never thought possible. Without their expert guidance, I would still be lost at square one.
Zayne’s strategic advice was nothing short of incredible and his emotional support has been invaluable during this challenging time. The technical support and coaching I received empowered me to stand up against adversity, including a bullying lawyer. Moreover, FDSS helped me navigate obstacles to maintain a meaningful relationship with my child, despite efforts to undermine it from my ex-partner.
I wholeheartedly recommend Family Dispute Support Services to anyone facing similar challenges. Their professionalism, dedication, and genuine care have made an enormous difference in my life.
Five stars without hesitation.

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Mike - Auckland Ongoing Coaching Support

I cannot find words to even try and explain the help I received from FDSS besides excellent. This I can truly, hand on hart, say confidently. Great team that helped me every second of the way. Zayne you a very special person and I am confident that one day your hard work, support and professional approach to assisting people in their times of need will be rewarded one way or another.
I find myself with a tear in my eye because I can honestly say without his support I don’t think I could have got through this family court process.

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Katherine- Dunedin Ongoing Coaching Support

Zayne was an absolute amazing support to me and kept me calm, guiding me through the family court process. I had a lawyer whom I engaged early on and didn’t end up using, with Zayne’s help it would of been an unnecessary expense. Zayne’s help was better than my ex’s lawyer, who was a top lawyer and who was clearly there for the money, Zayne was there because he genuinely cared

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Maddie - Wellington Ongoing Coaching Support

Hi Zayne, hope you have had some moments of peace without the hassle from me now that I have filed my proceedings. Just want to thank you once again for going above and beyond by sharing your insights and knowledge as well as providing continual support. I am constantly touched by your straightforward but compassionate approach as well as impressed by the depth of your knowledge and experience when helping me to navigate the legal system. It has been such a soul searching but empowering experience being a self-litigant and you have become my anchor instilling confidence in me by providing a roadmap. Deep bow to you for the selfless service you have continually provided and I’m one of the lucky receipts.
And how delightful to wake up in the morning reading those concluding paragraphs you have helped me with overnight knowing I ran out of steam out of exhaustion. I was in tears of immense gratitude reading them.
🙏 Thank you legendary Zayne from the bottom of my heart. You rock!!

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Andre - Christchurch Ongoing Coaching Support

I am very thankful to Zayne, he has helped me for a while now, wish I knew they existed back in 2020 when my second nightmare in court started. Representing myself without a clue for the past 2 year was extra demoralizing. Thanks to Zayne and David now I feel that even when I’ll be walking right into the valley of the shadow of death, I will come alive at the other side.

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Adam - Auckland Ongoing Coaching Support

Mr Jouma is an amazing person. he helped me in every step navigating the court. i would never go for lawyers again. i spent the last year around 50K NZD in lawyers without any outcome. i started to get outcomes with the help of FDSS.

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Rajiv - Hamilton Ongoing Coaching Support

I co-incidentally, but fortunately found FDSS from Facebook, while doing my own research when I was frustrated with my so called top family lawyer. My only wish is If I could have contacted FDSS before getting in touch with a lawyer then life would have been much much easier and smooth.
But Zayne was more than helpful, always available and has in-depth knowledge of the Family court, way more than lawyers. In the last 1.5 years whatever he told me regarding what to expect from the Judges, Lawyers, LFC etc was true. The best thing about him is he knows how lawyers set things up and he knows well how we can prepare ourselves in advance. After wasting time and resources on 2 lawyers now I am a self represented applicant and 100% much more success than it could have been with any lawyer. I also feel more confident now knowing more about this gender biased system and how to navigate through it. Knowledge is the key for success in Family court and FDSS has this knowledge for sure.

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Michael - Hamilton Ongoing Coaching Support

I have had the absolute pleasure of having Zayne’s complete support. His commitment to helping parents navigate the appalling family court system is commendable. I genuinely hope one day that his selfless actions are formally recognised. Thank-you again Zayne for you mental and legal support whilst stuck in a system that offers none of either. In my mind you are a true hero..

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Monica - Christchurch Ongoing Coaching Support

I have a legal aid lawyer representing me in the family court but honestly i haven’t contacted my lawyer since i met Zayne. Before meeting Zayne from FDSS, i was always anxious and confused what will happen with my case, my lawyer would take ages to respond without clear information. But since i met with Zayne – he is just amazing and i have gained alot of knowledge from him.

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Michael - Wellington Ongoing Coaching Support

6 month in the family court and paid over 13k legal fees with no outcome. I was fed up ! I approached Zayne from FDSS to help me self-represent in the court. This guy is amazing and his knowledge is priceless ! He knows more than some lawyers ! I regret that I didn’t seek his help from the start. I have now finalised the parenting order dispute in a hassle-free approach as advised by Zayne. Fantastic service

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Sam & Ashley - Auckland Ongoing Coaching Support

We both agreed last night that it’s such a rare thing to find someone truly invested (without gain) in such an important situation in our life’s and your help is beyond anything we would have imagined. We are a very close family and getting security for our child will make a big difference in his future.

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Prasad - Wellington Ongoing Coaching Support

They are excellent at court proceedings. They well understand what is in our mind and how we are emotionally stuck. I highly recommend Zayne for all the parents who stuck with legal proceedings at court

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Phil - Auckland Ongoing Coaching Support

Approximately 1 year ago I came to FDSS seeking guidance on obtaining regular contact with my two children aged 7 and 9 at the time. I knew nothing of the courts system, exhausted my finances through lawyers and was ineligible for any form Legal Aid. During this time I dealt with Zayne and I can hand on heart say I received more guidance in one meeting than over a year of dealing with a Lawyer. Zayne has an unparalleled understanding of the Family legal system. He has a pragmatic approach which is fair and gets results. His suggestions were always child focused and challenged me to rethink any actions I might make that could conflict with this. As a result I had the support I needed to navigate the overwhelming Family court process and achieve an outcome in a shorter amount of time than I could have anticipated – even with COVID delays. I have referred other parents to FDSS and the only shame is there is such a huge need gap to fill and not more of Zayne.

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