Family Mediation in Leeds and Bradford
Helping you to make decisions about your family
Family Mediation
Are you thinking about separating from your partner? Or have you been separated for sometime but there are things you still need to work out?
Are you wondering what to do next? From issues regarding your children or deciding where you will live, to dividing up assets, it can be a difficult and distressing process. How can you move on with your lives when you can’t talk about the issues that need to be sorted out?
Family mediation is a way of making arrangements and resolving disputes between partners before, during or after separation or divorce. It can also assist those who are parents, grandparents and other extended family members.
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A Safe Environment for Discussion
The process is less stressful and significantly quicker than going to court, and can save you money. Legal Aid is available if you are financially eligible and the Government is currently running a Mediation Voucher Scheme which may mean you will be eligible for £500 towards the costs of mediation.
Family mediation provides a safe environment for discussions to take place, helping to reduce hostility and improve the chances of long-term co-operation, especially where there are children.
Mediation can help to restore constructive communication. It offers the possibility of more creative solutions than are available within the court system. Also, there is the opportunity to address a wider range of issues than the Court would consider. Mediation helps you stay in control – the responsibility for all decisions remains with you since you know better than anyone else what is right for your family.
Accredited, Experienced Family Mediators
We are accredited, highly experienced family mediators who will help you through the mediation process and provide you with the relevant information at every stage.
We have extensive experience in the resolution of family disputes between couples, parents, grandparents and other members of the extended family relating to children, property and finance, often in high-conflict situations.
Whatever your circumstances, we will be able to help you through the mediation process which offers a safe space where you can discuss and reach agreements that will work for you and your family whilst keeping the emotional and financial cost to a minimum.
We will manage the process of mediation. We will help you to identify the issues and exchange information, ideas and feelings constructively. We will assist you to explore the options available to you and to make workable arrangements for the future.
Throughout the process, we will give you the necessary information to ensure you reach informed, practical, workable arrangements, improve communication and reduce conflict. We will help you find a solution which works for you both and will explain what needs to happen to make an agreement between you legally binding.
Flexible Family Mediation
We will work with you in a way that is flexible and tailor-made for your situation. We are able to work with you online via Zoom or face-to-face at one of our offices. You do not have to be in the same space as your ex if you or the mediator decides that working with you in separate spaces would be preferable.
The Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) is the first meeting you will have with a mediator. At the MIAM, the mediator will hear from you about your circumstances, discuss what options are available to you and explain mediation (what it is and how the process works).
You will be given an opportunity to ask any questions you have and the mediator will help you to consider whether mediation is right and safe for you.
If everyone agrees to try mediation then a joint mediation session will be arranged. On average you will have between 5 and 8 hours of mediation to come to an agreement, depending on what you need to sort out.
Before going ahead with a MIAM...
… perhaps you would like a free 15 minute chat with one of our Mediators to discuss your situation?
What Happens in Family Mediation?
Each family presents its own, unique challenges for those involved.
We offer an empathic yet professional approach to Mediation and our sessions are tailored to those attending.
If you would like to book a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM), please contact us using the link below.
In Mediation we will:
- Make sure you both have chance to speak and be heard
- Listen and help you both to work out what needs to be sorted out
- Help you exchange information, ideas and feelings constructively
- Discuss what your options might be and what might work best for the future
- Consider whether Child Inclusive Mediation would offer your children the opportunity to be heard and shape any decisions you make
- Provide information to ensure you reach informed, practical, workable arrangements
- Tell you when you might need independent legal advice advice
- Ensure decisions are made jointly and recorded in writing
Family Mediation Information
In our clients' words
Kind words from some of our clients.