Mills Morgan Mediation

Family mediation is a voluntary process in which an independent professionally trained mediator helps you and your former partner work through issues together. The process is often used following a relationship breakdown to make decisions in respect of children and/or financial matters. Common points of discussion include With whom children will live. How much time they will spend with the other parent? How they will stay in touch with their parents during the time they are not together. Who else they will see or won’t see. How much will be paid by way of child maintenance. Who will pay for the children’s other expenses, such as uniforms, extra-curricular activities and trips. What will happen to the family home? How other assets will be divided. Family mediation provides you and your former partner with a safe and supported environment to help you reach the decisions that affect you as a family and explore how the future might work.

Separating or separated couples with or without children Married or unmarried couples Co-parents or parents who wish to co-parent well/better Same-sex couples whether or not they are married or in a civil partnership Grandparents who may be finding it difficult to see their grandchildren

Family mediation works for many people, but it is not right for everyone. It may not work if: Someone's safety is at risk, for example, where there has been domestic abuse or child abuse your former partner does not wish to attend mediation your dispute is about finances and there is a refusal/reluctance to share financial information you do not know where your former partner is and you cannot contact them your mediator thinks mediation will not be suitable for you Family mediation is also not appropriate if: you are looking for couples/relationship therapy to work through issues or to find a way to reconcile.

Both you and your former partner must contact the mediator and confirm that you would like to try family mediation. You will both complete a preliminary information form The mediator will then meet with you both individually to discuss whether family mediation is suitable and to ensure that each party is happy to proceed. The mediator will then meet with you together at which point you will sign the Agreement to Mediate and mediation will begin. Each session usually lasts 90 minutes and depending on the issues you would like to discuss, three to five meetings would usually be required. If the issues involve finances both of you will be expected to go through a financial disclosure process. If decisions are reached, the mediator is able to draft documentation to summarise the conclusions. This may include a Parenting Plan, a Memorandum of Understanding and a Financial Statement if decisions relate to financial matters. The mediator will explain the next steps to ensure that any decisions are legally binding. Each of you will be encouraged to seek independent legal advice.

Family mediation can be significantly cheaper than the traditional lawyer/Court route. Please contact Anna to discuss.