Coaching and Support Process - Family Dispute Support Services

Coaching & Support Services Guidelines

The following information explains the steps and procedures of how we work with FDSS registered members. We can guide you through the best available practices and resolution options, whether in or out of the Family Court. Additionally, we can assist you in understanding the family court processes, which are publicly available. It is your responsibility to decide whether to accept or reject the public information we provide. Please note that our services are offered only remotely.

We have helped hundreds of families through this process – feel free to check some of the success stories on this link

How Does it work ?

Coaching & Support

We are unable to tell you what to do and what you should/must do - we can help you with your decision-making process. We are unable to represent you or speak on your behalf during court events, unless a judge allows us to do so. We can't settle on your behalf.

Legal Information

We can point out at the public legal information relevant to your situation & case and explain them to you. It is up to you to use these information.

Forms & Templates

We can direct you to the online prescribed forms & templates relevant to your case

Drafting Documents

Drafting any documents is your responsibility. Let us know when your draft is ready for review.

Reviewing Documents

We can review your drafts completed forms or document. We might suggest some edits or amendments, if needed.

Revising Documents

Revising the document/s is your responsibility. We can suggest some information or provide you with some information or case law. You are able to delete/amend/ reject or accept any of the suggested information.

Filing & Service

We will guide you about the process of filing documents in the court according to the Family Court rules & how to serve them on other parties.

Correspondence Review

We can review the emails /letters/ communications with other parties & the court registry. You need to draft the letters/emails and we will review them if needed.

Support in Hearings

We can attend court events with you as McKenzie Friend / Support Person. Check what McKenzie Friend can do.

Court Events

We will explain to you what happens in court hearings & conferences & the preparations associated

Important notes We work on a triage system, prioritizing cases based on urgency, the need, and deadlines close to court events and filing dates. This approach ensures that resources are allocated efficiently, with critical situations addressed first, while other matters are managed accordingly. Through triage, we can provide timely and effective support for all cases, focusing on those requiring immediate attention.

Important notes 1 - Any deadlines or important event dates in your case are your responsibility. If you wish for us to be aware of any events or deadlines, please create a reminder on your online calendar and send a notification to your coach.
2 - If we agree to attend any hearing or court event with you, we need at least two weeks' notice in advance. (Extra fees apply)
3 - Managing your case is your responsibility. Our coaches will guide and support you through the process.
4 - Our coaches are often busy with many urgent cases, so please allow us some time to deal with your inquiry. Our coaches will assess the urgency of your inquiry and inform you accordingly.
5 - We do not conduct chats over text messages unless agreed upon by your coach.
6 - If you want us to attend court hearings or any court events with you, you need to seek leave from the court and other involved parties. You will need to file an application notifying all parties involved. Please allow at least two weeks' notice in advance.
7 - We are able to attend any court teleconferences or roundtable meetings over Zoom with you. Please allow at least two weeks' notice in advance.
8 - It is crucial to keep us updated with any correspondences with lawyers or other parties, as well as any new applications or amendments to existing orders. Updating the online chronological list of events document is your responsibility. Please CC or BCC your coach in any email correspondence.

Steps following your agreement to the Terms of Engagement:

1 – Your participation in the workshops is important to help you understand the Family Court processes. Please check the Workshops calendar.

2 – We will send you the login details to access the FDSS Knowledge Base Portal. (Not yet ready)

3 – Your coach will create and share an online secure and private folder using Microsoft OneDrive Personal Cloud Storage. You can upload any documents relevant to your case to the specific folder. The folder is code-protected, everytime you want to use, you will be sent an email with a code to access the folder. Do not share the link with anyone as it contains your personal private documents.

4 – Within your Cloud folder, a blank online template for updating your case’s chronological list of events (including all court events/dates/incidents) will be available. It is your responsibility to continuously update this list, not our coaches’.

5 – Keep us updated on all correspondence with lawyers, the court, and other parties. Include us BCC/CC in all correspondence or forward the emails/letters to us.

6 – Send any documents/emails through to your coach email address , but it is preferable to add them to your cloud folder.

7 – If you wish to speak with us, it is preferrable to send your coach a text message or email to arrange an appointment. Your coach will respond based on his/her availability and the urgency of the matter. Phone calls and chats are by appointment only.

8 – Please note that our coaches do not conduct chats over text messages.

9 – It is your responsibility to monitor the prescribed deadlines for filing or responding and the dates of court events.

10 – For any upcoming court events, you can create an event on your calendar and add your coach’s email to your online calendar.

Drafting documents or completing forms:

11 – The majority of the forms and templates/guides are available on our online Knowledge Base Portal (not yet ready) . Alternatively, you can ask us if you are unsure.

12 – Start drafting the document or form and note down all relevant information.

13 – Let us know when your draft is ready to be reviewed by leaving a comment on the shared document (right-click on any of the document contents and choose “comment”).

14 – We will review it and leave a comment once the review is done. You will be able to see the suggested edits and amendments. Revise your draft, delete, or resolve the suggestions if needed.

15 – Subsequently, you can download the document as a PDF on your computer (file tab > download as PDF).

16 – Follow the prescribed rules on how to file the document/s. Please allow us up to 5 working days to review your documents. We will assess the urgency of your request.