LAKES

MEDIATION Array

Helping couples across the North West resolve conflict around children and financial disputes themselves without the need of courts or solicitors…

Lakes Mediation Sunderland

There will always be disputes between families but choosing mediation is a better solution for dispute resolution – avoid court contact us today!

Lakes Mediation Sunderland

Finances

One of the main reasons for family disputes is financial issues. Disagreements over money, property, and asset distribution can quickly escalate and can become distressing for everyone involved.

In Lakes Mediation, we understand the sensitivity of financial disagreements between family members and mediators use their skills to facilitate a constructive and calm discussion. Mediators help families to explore and identify each party's needs, concerns, and priorities. In finance mediation, both parties have the opportunity to explain their proposal, suggest alternatives, and ultimately come to a mutually agreeable solution.

Children

Parental separation can be difficult, and this can put children at the heart of family disputes. In such instances, family mediation can provide a safe and supportive environment for parents to communicate openly about the best interests of their children.

Mediators can assist parents in creating a parenting plan that works for both parties, covering elements such as visitation schedules, holidays, and school activities.

Family mediation helps parents to manage their emotions and reach an agreement that focuses on the well-being of their children.

Grandparents

Grandparents play an essential role in the upbringing of children, and it's essential to maintain positive relationships between them and their grandchildren.

Conflicts may arise due to differences in parenting styles, restrictions, and boundaries. Grandparent mediation can help resolve these issues and allow grandparents to continue to be a part of their grandchildren's lives.

The mediator will work to identify what issues are causing the dispute and to compile relevant information before working toward a mutual solution that suits everyone involved.

Pension

Mediation can help resolve disputes regarding pensions, including how they will be split between parties.
The mediator will work with each party to determine their interests and needs and help them come to an agreement. This can keep legal costs involved in settling disagreement over a pension from spiraling.

HOME OWNERSHIP

Another common topic in family mediation is home ownership disputes. When dealing with such issues, parties have the opportunity to make agreements concerning the family home.
They can decide who lives in the property, how the costs are shared, or how and when it's sold. Additionally, couples going through a divorce may be able to reach a settlement whereby one party maintains living in the home with the children while the other party is able to obtain their share in the equity of the property.
Family mediation can also be a chance to talk through, explore and resolve feelings related to the family home, which may help both parties come to a resolution quicker than if the matter was being disputed through the court system.

Child Arrangements Order Sunderland

Arrangements for School Holidays

One of the most challenging aspects of parenting after a separation is arranging times for holidays and other special occasions.

With a Child Arrangements Order, these issues can be addressed in advance, providing clarity and reducing the potential for conflict.

When making a decision about school holiday arrangements, the court will consider a number of factors, including the age of the child, the logistics of transportation, and the proximity of other family members.

It is generally recommended that the arrangements should be as fair and reasonable as possible, taking into account the child’s best interests.

Arrangements for Christmas

Christmas is a special time, especially for children. When parents separate, however, it can turn into a stressful and complicated time, particularly when it comes to making arrangements for the child.

A Child Arrangements Order can specify which parent the child should spend Christmas with and on what dates.

The order can also include provisions for parents to communicate with each other over the Christmas period, allowing the child to speak and spend time with both parents.

Arrangements for Birthdays

Birthdays are another occasion that can be challenging for parents to navigate after separation.

Many parents want to spend this special day with their child, but it can be difficult to decide on how to split the day or who will have the child on their actual birthday. In some cases, the court may specify that the child spends half the day with one parent and half with the other.

However, it’s worth remembering that the specifics of the arrangements will depend on the unique circumstances of each family. What is most important is that the arrangement is fair, consistent, and in the best interests of the child.

Spousal Maintenance Sunderland

Spousal maintenance is a financial arrangement in which one spouse provides support to the other after a divorce or separation. It is designed to provide financial assistance to the spouse who is financially dependent on the other spouse. Spousal maintenance can be a contentious issue during divorce or separation, making it a key component of family mediation. During spousal maintenance mediation, the mediator helps both spouses determine fair and reasonable financial arrangements that meet their needs. They discuss each party’s financial needs, earning capacity, and other relevant factors to come up with a mutually beneficial resolution.

Why Choose lakes Mediation Sunderland Over Court?

Why Mediation Is Needed

One of the primary reasons for seeking family mediation is to avoid costly and time-consuming court proceedings.

Family mediation can also help families to reach an agreement while reducing the emotional stress caused by disputes.

In addition, mediation puts control in the hands of the family members involved in the conflict, rather than a judge.

The mediator facilitates discussions and helps parties identify their interests and priorities to create a solution that works for everyone.

Is It Legally Binding?

Family mediation is not legally binding, but parties can choose to make the agreement legally binding by drafting a Consent Order or signing a contract.

Such arrangements can be binding and enforceable in court.

It’s important to understand that although mediation is not legally binding, parties must comply with agreements reached during mediation. In some cases, parties are legally required to attempt mediation before taking legal action.

What Is
Mediation?

Lakes Mediation is a professional and empathetic family mediation service provider, located in the UK. Our team of experienced and accredited family mediators is dedicated to helping families resolve their disputes in a constructive and collaborative manner.

We offer a range of mediation services, including divorce and separation, child arrangements, financial matters, and eldercare. We also provide online mediation, to ensure accessibility and convenience for families who may not be able to attend in-person.

Benefits of Lakes Mediation Sunderland

Family conflicts can be difficult to navigate, especially when emotions run high and communication breaks down. When disputes escalate, legal battles often follow. However, there is another way to resolve family conflicts that is much less stressful and costly. Family mediation is a process where a third-party mediator helps two or more parties negotiate and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of family mediation and why you should consider it as an alternative to litigation.

Mediating can help in several ways, including:

providing a less stressful way of dealing with sensitive matters
facilitating communication and helping you sort out future arrangements
making it easier to review and change arrangements as long as both parties agree
and being a faster and cheaper way of resolving disputes.

MIAMS Session

To what end does a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) serve?

The initial consultation with a trained family mediator to discuss whether or not mediation could help you resolve your dispute outside of court is called a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM).

Mediators Role

The mediator’s job is to help you and the other parent talk through your problems, consider possible solutions, evaluate how well they would work inpractise, and ultimately agree on the best course of action.

In shuttle mediation, the disputing parties are separated into separate rooms, and the mediator “shuttles” between them until they strike a compromise.

Confidential

The mediator is obligated to retain in strictest confidence any information shared with them during the mediation process.
Since is it can be or at any if it becomes that one or both aren’t a through it.

It is the mediator’s responsibility to ensure that the interests and perspectives of the children involved are taken into account.

Miams

Often, before beginning a mediation process, all parties must attend a MIAM. A MIAM is an initial meeting where the mediator assesses whether mediation is appropriate for the conflict at hand. This assessment includes whether the parties are prepared for mediation, whether any safety procedures need to be followed, and any other necessary factors.

SUCCESS STORIES
From Lakes Mediation Sunderland Clients

After our divorce I was seeing less and less of the children. Things were becoming strained and as I work shifts it was stressful. With Lakes help we sorted out an access plan within 2 short sessions thank you!

J. Evans

Lincs

The option of shuttle and online mediation made things possible for us. After years of arguments I was amazed that we reached a financial decision within a 4 sessions. We are now both able to move forward.

B. Smith

Cumbria

When our relationship ended we were unable to come to an agreement on our business we built together. Lakes mediation held a safe and confidential space for us to come to a mutual agreement and avoid the stress and cost of court. Thank you!

V. Frazier

Newcastle