This week, 16-20th January, marks Family Mediation Week, an opportunity to raise awareness of family mediation and the benefits it may bring to separating families.
Family mediation is a process in which an independent and professionally trained mediator helps separating couples resolve any challenges and disputes faced when parting ways. The mediator will help you to work out arrangements for things such as housing, children, assets and finances.
Mediation involves an initial assessment meeting where the mediator will see you on your own to discuss the process and find out what you are hoping to achieve and for you to consider whether mediation will be appropriate in your case. There will then be a series of face-to-face discussions between you and your partner, which are facilitated by a mediator. The mediator will help you and your partner make decisions in a constructive and confidential setting, making sure all disputes are resolved with as little conflict as possible.
If you do not feel comfortable with face-to- face mediation, the mediator will offer video mediation or shuttle mediation – where you will each be in a separate room and the mediator will shuttle between you.
What are the benefits?
There are several benefits to the mediation process, some of which are set out below:
Cost effective: Mediation tends to be more cost-effective than involving solicitors. Even if you do not come up with a complete agreement in mediation, the mediator should help you narrow the issues that are being disputed.
Confidential: Disputes resolved through mediation and not in court are completely confidential for both parties involved.
Faster outcome: Mediation generally takes less time to complete, allowing for an earlier solution than through the legal or court route.
More control: Mediation increases the control both parties have over the resolution. Both parties are involved in negotiating their own agreement and no settlement can be imposed upon you.
It improves communication: The mediation process helps both parties to focus on communicating effectively and relieves the pressure and stress that court disputes may bring.
Flexible: The process is informal and there are no formal rules and evidence required although the mediators at Blaser Mills Law will explain the advantages of full financial disclosure.
How Blaser Mills Law can help
By focusing on clear and open communication, family mediation has the potential to get you and your partner on the same page. We will support you every step of the way.
Lucinda Holliday
With over 10 years of experience in mediation, Lucinda Holliday qualified as a mediator in 2011 and became accredited in 2018. Lucinda went on to qualify as a child inclusive mediation in 2020 which means she can facilitate your children being heard in the mediation process when relevant.
She is an expert in her field with expertise in dissolution, divorce, and separation and the associated financial issues and children matters that might occur as a result of the breakdown of a relationship.
To speak to Lucinda further about family mediation services call 01494 478603 or email ljmh@blasermills.co.uk.