Valerie Norton

Speaker – Collaborative Stream

Valerie holds a Clinical Masters in Family Therapy, a Bachelor of Psychology (First Class Honours), a Graduate Diploma in Family Dispute Resolution, and a Bachelor of Sociology.

She is a founder of The Mediation Collective and serves as a Coach and Assessor for National Mediator Accreditation at the College of Law. Valerie is AMDRAS advanced mediator accredited, a Board Member of Collaborative Practice NSW, and an active member of the Resolution Institute, Australian Mediation Association, Institute of Specialist Dispute Management, Australian Association of Collaborative Professionals, Central Sydney Collaborative Forum, and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.

Driven by a deep commitment to helping people navigate crisis while preserving familial relationships, Valerie guides individuals and families through complex conversations where timely, thoughtful resolution is essential. She is passionate about resolving conflict in a calm, professional and caring manner, and supports people across the lifespan — from young people to older adults — to find clarity and resolution in challenging times.

Preventing Disputes

Learn how collaborative estate planning can reduce conflict and protect family relationships before disputes escalate.

Practical Tools

Gain hands-on strategies and frameworks for using collaborative processes to resolve estate disputes effectively.

Protecting Legacies

Understand how to secure client wishes while minimising stress, cost, and the emotional toll on families.

Watertight or War-Torn? How Family Inclusive Collaborative Estate Planning Can End the Cycle of Estate Disputes

Estate planning should provide peace of mind — yet too often it leads to disputes that fracture families and drain resources. This session explores how family-inclusive, collaborative approaches can create watertight plans that minimise the risk of conflict.

Attendees will learn how to design estate plans that reflect client values, strengthen family relationships, and reduce the likelihood of contested outcomes.

Securing Legacies: Workshop on Collaborative Tools for Estate Disputes

This interactive workshop focuses on practical tools for resolving disputes once they arise. From communication frameworks to structured collaborative processes, participants will explore methods that keep families at the centre while achieving fair, sustainable outcomes.

The session will equip practitioners with practical skills they can apply immediately, helping clients preserve their legacies while protecting relationships.