Services
Certificate 60I
A Certificate 60I is an essential document required by the Family Law Act 1975 in Australia. It verifies that a person seeking a parenting order has attempted family dispute resolution (FDR) before making an application to the Family Court. The goal of FDR is to encourage parents to resolve disputes amicably and in a child-focused manner, before resorting to litigation.
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​Key Information About Certificate 60I:
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Requirement for Court Applications: Before applying for parenting orders, parents must make a genuine attempt to resolve their disputes through FDR. A Certificate 60I is issued by a registered FDR provider (mediator) to confirm this attempt has been made.
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Exceptions: In some situations, such as cases of family violence or urgency, the requirement for FDR may be waived. In these cases, a Certificate 60I will not be necessary to apply for parenting orders.
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Purpose: The Certificate ensures that parents are encouraged to engage in discussions and mediation to resolve matters related to their children, reducing the burden on courts and fostering cooperative parenting arrangements.
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How It Works:
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Initial Mediation: Each individual parent attends intake, followed by both parents attending FDR sessions with an accredited mediator to attempt resolution of parenting issues.
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Certificate Issuance: If the FDR process is unsuccessful or if one party refuses to participate, the mediator issues a Certificate 60I. This confirms that the FDR attempt has occurred.
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Court Application: With the Certificate, parents can proceed to the Family Court to request parenting orders or further legal intervention.
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Validity: The Certificate is typically valid for 12 months from the date of issuance. If an application for parenting orders is not made within this period, parents may need to attend FDR again.
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Benefits: The Certificate 60I encourages parents to explore all possible resolution options, benefiting children by promoting healthier co-parenting relationships and reducing adversarial court proceedings.
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Understanding the Certificate 60I requirement and its role in the family law process can help parents navigate disputes more effectively and ensure their children's best interests are central to the decision-making process.
