Mediation for separation and divorce
What is mediation?
Mediation is a voluntary, co-operative process. A trained, neutral and impartial professional will help you to make good decisions for you and your family, and seek mutually agreeable solutions to any financial issues that arise after relationship breakdown.
Unlike formal court proceedings, mediation takes place in a relaxed and less formal setting.
Family Support and Mediation (FSAM) will adopt a format suitable for, and sensitive to, the nature of the dispute and the needs of the participants. This creates a more comfortable, less pressured and, often, less adversarial environment.
Mediation is voluntary
Mediation is a place of support, not coercion. We will assist you to remain in control and help each client to make their own decisions.
The mediator is neutral
Our professionally-trained mediators do not take sides. Our goals are to support each parent to articulate their needs and concerns, and identify possible solutions.
Mediation is confidential
This means that anything either parent says in mediation cannot be used in court or other proceedings. Both parties sign an agreement at the beginning of the process that sets out terms with respect to confidentiality.
Mediation of some, but not all, issues
Parents can choose to take some issues to mediation, rather than all of them. For example, you may wish mediation support related to child contact issues, or finances, or both.
The mediator does not provide legal advice
Mediators cannot provide legal advice, although our trained mediators may practise in other professions, such as social work, law, or psychotherapy, and may use their knowledge to make suggestions or to help you identify options.
If you think that you need legal advice to help you during the mediation, this can be arranged at any time.
Why mediation?
Mediation empowers choice and the opportunity to seek out solutions that best meet the needs of you and your family. You have control and it works.
Mediation can help you to find a way to plan for the future and to agree what will work best for you without having to go to court. This can save you time, money and stress. Even if you’ve been separated for a while, or if your case has already gone to court, mediation can still help to resolve things.
You can’t usually take your case to court until you have first found out whether or not mediation can help you . If you can’t show that you’ve considered it, the judge may stop or delay proceedings until you have.
The process of mediation
You should contact a mediator as soon as you have decided that you need help with sorting things out. We will arrange a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) with you so that you can decide if mediation is right for you. The mediator will provide details of the mediation process to both parties, and address any concerns prior to the start of the mediation.
FSAM sometimes uses a process of co-mediation. This means there will be two mediators to support you through the process of making good decisions in these difficult times. There is no additional cost for co-mediation.
Family Support and Mediation means:
A very positive step towards making good decisions for your child and your finances;
The same mediator throughout the process;
Informal and confidential support;
You decide what is discussed, and explore the issues which need to be resolved;
You make your own decisions –no court involvement;
Identifying areas of agreement and a range of options;
Evaluating these options and their consequences in a neutral environment;
Written agreements that can be turned into consent orders;
No waiting time - support when you need it;
Signposting to other professional services if needed.
Mediation can be facilitated face to face, or remotely by Zoom or Skype.
Fees: We have set our fees so that mediation is affordable for all who are on a low income, but not entitled to legal aid. You may be entitled to the government’s £500 voucher towards mediation.
Mediation session £180 per person
Drafting of documents:
A Parenting Plan £95 per person
A Statement of the Outcome of Mediation £95 per person
A draft Open Financial Summary (and options) £180 per person
A Memorandum of Understanding £150 per person