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 Middlewood

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

lakes mediation

Lakes Mediation Middlewood

Finances

Financial disagreements can result in simmering conflicts in families.

Be it the dissolution of a marriage or issues related to inheritance, asset division, or child support, it is imperative that families collaborate and make informed decisions that consider the well-being of everyone involved.

At Lakes Mediation, our mediators facilitate discussions that help families to explore various options, formulate a plan that works for everyone, and address the financial concerns of all parties.

Our goal is to help families reach a mutually acceptable financial settlement that is practical and feasible in the long run.

Children

Disputes can also arise concerning custody and parenting plans for children.

Parents may not agree on the living arrangements for the child, visitation schedules, and child support payments. A mediator can offer a neutral perspective and assist the parents in establishing a plan that aims to meet the child's best interests.

During this type of mediation, family members will learn to communicate with each other effectively, and understand how crucial it is to put the child's needs first and foremost.

Grandparents

Grandparents often have a special relationship with their grandchildren and can become affected when they’re not able to see them.

Through grandparent mediation, grandparents can express their concerns and, in many cases, come to agreements on visitation and communication with their grandchildren.

Grandparent mediation gives grandparents a voice in court and helps to foster a healthy relationship with their grandchildren.

Pension

In family mediation, pension-related concerns are commonly addressed. The mediator can help parties to identify the various types of pensions, their value, and how they should be divided.
The process ensures that both parties have a comprehensive understanding of the pension division process.
Pension sharing can also be discussed in mediation. The mediator can refer parties to a financial advisor to provide further guidance.

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 Middlewood

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 significant milestones in a child’s life, and both parents should have the opportunity to be a part of them.

When creating a Child Arrangements Order, it’s essential to decide how the child’s birthday will be celebrated.

You could either have a specific arrangement for the birthday or allocate specific times on the day for each parent.

Spousal Maintenance Middlewood

Often, when a couple breaks up it becomes necessary to discuss spousal maintenance or alimony. The process is often emotionally charged, but mediation provides a sense of collaboration and understanding. The following are the benefits of spousal maintenance:

  1. Flexibility: Mediation is not a one-size-fits-all solution, so it allows for more flexibility in creating unique solutions to the issue.
  2. Neutral mediator: The mediator is a neutral third-party to facilitate discussion and assist the couple in reaching a solution that is satisfactory to both parties.
  3. Saves time: With mediation, the process can be handled in a few sessions, sometimes even in one session. It takes much longer to resolve matters in court.
  4. Confidentiality: In divorce cases, financial and emotional information can be particularly sensitive. Mediation ensures that matters are kept private and confidential.

Why Choose lakes Mediation Middlewood Over Court?

children

Why Mediation Is Needed

When disagreements arise within families, it’s not uncommon for people to resort to legal action. However, this approach often leads to hostility and can communicate a lack of willingness to listen or understand, which is not ideal for ongoing co-parenting arrangements or reconciliations.

Family mediation, on the other hand, provides a forum for the parties to communicate and discuss their issues openly and neutrally. A mediator is trained to facilitate communication and ensure a safe space where all parties can speak without fear of escalation.

This helps to ensure that all parties are heard, and all concerns are addressed, which can result in an amicable resolution to the conflict.
mediation

Is It Legally Binding?

One of the most common questions about family mediation is whether it’s legally binding. The answer is no, family mediation is not legally binding by itself. However, if the parties come to an agreement during mediation, they can choose to make it legally binding by signing a consent order. A consent order is a legal document that outlines how the parties have agreed to settle their legal dispute.

This means that family mediation can provide the framework and foundation for a legally binding resolution, but it’s up to the parties to finalize it. The courts will recognize a consent order as a legally binding contract, and will enforce it accordingly.

mediation

What Is
Mediation?

At Lakes Mediation, we offer family mediation services to individuals in the community who wish to resolve disputes without resorting to legal action.

Our team of certified mediators has years of experience in the field, and we pride ourselves on providing a safe, neutral, and specialized area for our clients to find resolution.

Our mediators are trained to facilitate communication between the parties and guide them through the negotiation process, with the goal of finding mutually agreeable solutions that will work for all parties involved.

Benefits of Lakes Mediation Middlewood

Family conflict can bring unnecessary stress and tension. It is normal for family members to argue and disagree, but when communication breaks down, it can lead to damaging consequences. Disputes within a family can be overwhelming, creating a toxic environment that affects everyone’s mental health. Fortunately, family mediation has become a popular option in recent years. If you’re struggling with family conflict, Lakes Mediation offers you a solution to address communication issues. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of Lakes mediation and why it is the best choice for resolving disputes.

Mediating can help in  several ways, including:

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

A MIAM, or Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting, is a meeting that is often required before starting the mediation process. A MIAM is a chance for each party to meet with a qualified mediator who will explain the process of mediation, answer any questions they may have, and assess whether mediation is suitable for their situation.

SUCCESS STORIES
From Lakes Mediation Middlewood Clients

child access mediation
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
FPDS trusted
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
parental plan1
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
Handling Household Dispute