The Festive period can be a very testing time. Spending more time with your loved ones coupled with family events and financial pressures can put tremendous strain on any relationship. The new year brings resolutions for a new start and unfortunately, this can often mean the decision to separate.
Family Mediation Week runs annually in January to provide support for couples who have come to this difficult conclusion. The life-changing decision to separate brings with it so many tough questions that it’s often unclear where to start.
- Who lives where?
- Where will the children live, and how will we make sure we each spend time with them?
- How will we sort money? Child maintenance payments?
- What about debts and pensions?
- And even the family dog?
This dedicated week shines a spotlight on these tricky issues, offering separating parents information about their options as they make arrangements for parenting, property, and finance.
Family mediation itself is a process that can help ex-partners agree on what works for them, whilst avoiding the court process with all the stress, delay, and cost it can bring. Meetings take place with a trained mediator where both parties can honestly and openly discuss their concerns and the practical aspects of dividing their assets and making the necessary arrangements for children.
The Family Mediation Council offers a number of webinars for the public to join directly from 16th to 20th January where experts discuss the benefits mediation can offer separating couples.
Angela O’Neill is Poole Townsend’s qualified Family Mediator able to assist family members to find workable solutions following the breakdown of family relationships. She starts with an initial mediation meeting with each party outlining the full process, timeframes and costs and provides information about other services which may be able to advise and support.
More information about our mediation service, costs and how to apply can be found on our dedicated webpages.