Mediation is less stressful, considerably quicker, and significantly more affordable than going to court, where the control is with a Magistrate or Judge.

The family justice system encourages parties to resolve their disputes through mediation, where a Memorandum of Understanding will be created by the mediator, detailing what has been agreed. Evidence shows that parties are more likely to stick to such agreements when they have had a role in formulating them.

As qualified mediators, we are trained to support separated couples with their future arrangements, particularly in this case, their children. Making the right plans can have a great impact on the well-being of your children and can often create a more positive experience in such a difficult time. Your child has the opportunity to speak their mind and discuss their feelings with a neutral party, without the fear or worry of saying something that will escalate the situation.

A lot of children feel like they have no control over their future and feel that their voice is not heard. Most of whom also have a high fear of saying something wrong. Child-inclusive mediation will let them contribute to the process and ensure their wishes are taken into consideration. It can also give you, as parents, the opportunity to make better arrangements moving forward.

The process provides flexibility and has helped hundreds of thousands of families to agree on financial arrangements and a way to parent children cooperatively after separation. If you’re not comfortable with being in the same room, the mediator can arrange shuttle mediation, where the mediator speaks with each party alone and relays proposals.

If you are a parent, it is far better for your children, for you, and your ex-partner to work together to try to agree on the way forward, but this can be hard to do on your own. Family mediation provides you with a safe and supported structure to sort out the best arrangements for your children, taking into account what is going to be important for them as they grow up. It also provides you with the space and time necessary to think about what is most important for your children, and for the whole family.

Whether you are a parent or not, mediation can help you reach an agreement about how to divide what there is, where you will live, and how your future finances will work.