What is Family Mediation?
Family Mediation is a way of resolving issues that arise when a relationship breaks down and a couple decide to part.
The process is both voluntary and confidential. Mediation gives people the chance to explain their concerns and needs to each other in the presence of a qualified family mediator, with the aim of finding a mutually acceptable solution.
The mediator does not dictate the solution – instead the mediator provides a process for people to reach their own agreement and to part well.
What does Family Mediation cover?
How to obtain a divorce without hostility.
How to sort out all the money issues, income, capital, liabilities and pensions that arise on marital breakdown.
Working on the best arrangements for the children.
Conflicts between co-habitees over money or the children.
Communication between the parents.
Conflicts within the extended family
Advantages of Mediation are:
Mediation offers people a safe and neutral environment to be heard and understood.
In mediation, the clients are responsible for the terms of any agreement reached; they do not have a decision imposed on them by an outsider, such as a judge.
Mediation is far less costly than court proceedings.
Mediation produces a far better result emotionally. In families where there are children, parents are helped to move towards a good working relationship in their new roles as “co-parents”.
Mediation is future-focussed.
What is involved?
Following a brief meeting with each client separately, the mediator will bring the clients together to discuss the issues between them.
From this point on, all discussions happen together with everyone present. Each sessions usually last between one and a half and two hours. Depending upon the nature and complexity of the issues, it would normally take between two and six sessions to reach agreement on everything.