What is Family Mediation?
This process parallels the legal process. In other words you can sort things out between you and then take the resulting Memorandum of Undertaking to a Solicitor.
Mediation is a way of helping separating parents work out their arrangements for their children and their finances. When a relationship ends separation can be difficult and painful. It is also difficult for the children. As a Family Mediator my focus is on the children’s needs in the future while helping parents find a way forward. It is possible for parents to reduce the difficulties for children. In reducing the feeling of confusion and uncertainty for themselves parents can find that they can pass this on to the children. Mediation is a voluntary process. Mediation is an independant process - for you alone not any other organisation.
Mediation is confidential - except where there may be risk of harm, especially to children. Mediation is impartial - mediators do not take sides.
Who can use Family Mediation?
Couples or individuals who are dealing with separation and divorce issues. You may be married or have lived together in a civil partnership. Grandparents can also make use of mediation.
There are different types of mediation. Some of these are: Deal brokering, Transformative and Therapeutic Mediation. Which one you use would depend on your families cirumstances and requirements.
Mediation is not:
Always appropriate.
An alternative to legal advice. You will need legal advice but as mediation endeavours to be non-adversarial, the need for legal advice may be reduced - this is a considerable saving.
When to come for Mediation
Before separation is a difficult time. This can be the best time to come for mediation before entrenchment and attitudes harden. During divorce proceedings. After separation or divorce, even after many years.