What is Family Mediation, Mediation Solicitors Berkhamsted, Amersham & Beaconsfield

What is Family Mediation?

Watch our short video.

Family Mediation/Dispute Resolution

This is an alternative way for couples/families to find creative solutions and outcomes where there is relationship breakdown and difficulty communicating. We are highly skilled and trained to help you through the emotional rollercoaster experienced on relationship breakdown and guide you towards the outcomes you want. You are always in control and we manage your conflict and support both of you through the whole process. We don’t take sides We don’t make judgements we remain impartial we are respectful and understanding of a process which can be emotionally painful and difficult.

Other issues our family mediators deal with?

Children Matters – Where they will live, Who they will see, Choice of schools, Who takes decisions about them, Religious upbringing, Holidays, Financial maintenance, Children’s property rights. Starting relationships – Negotiating pre nups, Living together arrangements, Mediating sharing living space with an elderly parent or other dependant Re starting relationships – Negotiating pre nups, Negotiating Post nups, Living together arrangements, Reconciliation, Mediating retiring arrangements Ending Relationships – Divorce, Separation, Dissolution of Civil Partnership, Children leaving home, Reconciliation Money and Property – Financial maintenance on divorce, Separation or relationship breakdown, Property, Pensions, Assets and debts on divorce, Separation or relationship breakdown, Disputes about wills or inheritance following a family death, Disputes about family businesses Civil and Commercial Disputes – Any types of Civil and Commercial disputes can be mediated saving all involved a considerable amount of time, money and stress. Our specialist family law solicitors serve our clients across Bucks, Berks, Herts and Middlesex. Some clients work with us remotely, others we can visit at home or they can visit our offices in AmershamBeaconsfieldBerkhamstedCheshamChorleywoodGerrard’s Cross, High Wycombe, Rickmansworth or The Chalfonts. Wherever you are, let Breakthrough Family Law provide you with the specialist advice that you need.

Make An Enquiry Today

To ensure you receive the best family law advice available, please call us now on 01494 776 696 or Make An Online Enquiry and we will get back to you right away. We inspire trust and confidence in our clients by offering high- quality advice in a clear, straightforward and compassionate manner.

Family Mediation Solicitors Berkhamsted, Amersham & Beaconsfield

Mediation is a process designed to assist separating couples reach a mutually acceptable agreement, with the skilled help and assistance of a qualified and experienced mediator.

How does mediation work?

Breakthrough Family Law Solicitors
The Breakthrough Family Law Solicitors Team

You and your partner or spouse must firstly agree to use this method. Following contact, a mediator will arrange to see both of you separately for a brief assessment before holding sessions with both of you to work on resolving your issues. These sessions are generally 90 minutes long.

The mediator’s role is to help facilitate a proposal leading to an agreement. You can combine legal advice with the mediation sessions to assist your understanding. Once you have both reached an acceptable proposal, the mediator will draft the proposal documentation. This can in turn be ‘legalised’ by incorporating the proposal into an Order of the Court by Consent as part of divorce proceedings.

What is the mediator’s role?

The mediator does not take sides or ‘represent’ either of you. However, the mediator will also ensure that you are both comfortable with the content of the sessions and will support either one of you where it is needed. It is paramount that the space and time used for the mediation sessions is used effectively and that conflict is limited. The mediator will remain impartial, respectful and understanding of a process which can be emotionally painful and difficult.

What are the advantages of mediation?

  • It is cheaper and quicker than using solicitors to represent you to negotiate a settlement
  • It is much cheaper and quicker than going to court
  • It reduces tension and conflict by encouraging co-operation
  • It is preferable for the children with a reduction of conflict
  • You take control of the proposal you wish to reach
  • It is less stressful
  • It will teach you how to improve the communication between you
  • You can combine mediation with legal advice

What sort of problems can be mediated?

Family mediation is suitable for a range of family problems. The following issues are common in a successful mediation:

  • Who the children will live with and when
  • How the assets and finances are divided
  • How ongoing maintenance for children and/or a spouse can be worked out

MIAMS: Why is this important?

If you cannot resolve the difficulties with your former spouse or partner, you may be thinking about taking your matter to court. However, before an application can be made to court, you are now obliged to attend a Mediation Information Assessment Meeting (MIAM). The aim of the meeting is to see if mediation could be used to resolve your difficulties, rather than going straight to court.

The court needs to know that mediation has been considered before they will process your application.

What is a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting?

The MIAM is a meeting between you and a mediator to find out if there are alternative ways to find solutions to your problems other than going to court.

The mediator will explain to you:

  • what your options may be
  • what mediation is, and how it works
  • the benefits of mediation and other appropriate forms of resolving disputes
  • the likely costs of using mediation
  • if you are eligible for free mediation and Legal Aid

The meeting can be between the mediator and just you, or your ex-partner can attend. The mediator will be able to tell you if mediation is likely to work for you. If it is, he or she will advise you of the next steps.

What happens if mediation does not go ahead?

If, after your MIAM, it is considered that mediation is not suitable in your case, the mediator will give you a form which will be completed and signed by the mediator. This form confirms that you have attended a MIAM and will form part of your application to court for a Financial Order.

What is Family Mediation? Watch our short video.

“I had no hesitation in recommending Breakthrough to my friend. I only wish I had used them myself… They had acted for my ex-husband!”

A Garland

Download Our Brochure

For further information about Family Mediation, download our brochure.

Serving family law clients across Bucks, Berks, Herts & Middlesex

Our specialist family law solicitors serve our clients across Bucks, Berks, Herts and Middlesex.

Some clients work with us remotely, others we can visit at home or they can visit our offices in Amersham, Beaconsfield, Berkhamsted, Chesham, Chorleywood, Gerrard’s Cross, High Wycombe, Rickmansworth or The Chalfonts.

Wherever you are, let Breakthrough Family Law provide you with the specialist advice that you need.

Make An Enquiry Today

To ensure you receive the best family law advice available, please call us now on 01494 776 696 or Make An Online Enquiry and we will get back to you right away.

We inspire trust and confidence in our clients by offering high-quality advice in a clear, straightforward and compassionate manner.

“Very quick turnaround, clear and sensible approach and very supportive!”

S L

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