LAKES

MEDIATION Alston

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

Lakes Mediation Alston

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 Alston

Finances

Arguments about money can cause severe tension in any family. That's why finance mediation is a crucial aspect of family mediation.

In finance mediation, a neutral mediator guides the parties involved in discussing their finances and coming to agreements in a non-confrontational and non-judgmental environment.

The mediator will help identify the issues, outline options and craft a mutually acceptable agreement.

It can cover anything from a divorce agreement to business disputes or inheritance conflicts. Lakes Mediation team has extensive experience in financial mediation and can help your family reach an agreement that works for each side.

Children

Child custody cases are the most important disputes in any family. The process of going to court and having a judge determine your family's future is a scary and emotional process.

As a result, children's mediation is an advisable alternative to trial. In child mediation, the best interests of the child(ren) is considered a keystone to reaching a consensus that is satisfactory to both parents.

The mediator will help the parents create a co-parenting plan and reach a working agreement that is legally binding and includes detailed parenting schedules, school and medical arrangements and a communication plan between the parents. Lakes Mediation has experts in children’s mediation that can help your family discuss and come to a consensus.

Grandparents

Grandparents play an important role in the lives of their grandchildren. As a result, conflicts that arise between grandparents and their adult children are typically devastating.

Grandparent mediation helps the family members in creating a mutual agreement about how often grandparents will see and communicate with their grandchildren after parental disagreements or divorce.

Lakes Mediation can facilitate dialogue between grandparents or family members to ensure a resolution that is satisfactory for 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 Alston

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 magical time of the year, and it’s crucial to make arrangements to ensure that both parents can spend time with their children.

The CAO agreement should consider the holidays and time that each parent will spend with their children.

For instance, one parent could have the child from Christmas Eve to noon on Dec 25th, and the other parent could have the child from noon on Dec 25th to Boxing Day. It’s essential to establish a routine that works for both parents and is also in the child’s best interest.

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 Alston

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 Alston Over Court?

children

Why Mediation Is Needed

The purpose of family mediation is to provide a neutral, confidential, and safe environment for parties to discuss their issues.

Mediation helps the parties communicate and to better understand each other’s perspectives. Thus, the conflict can be resolved by finding an acceptable solution for everyone involved.

The mediator keeps the discussion constructive and facilitates open communication. Parties are free to express their needs and desires without fear of retaliation or reprisal.

With mediation, parties have more control over the outcome of their case while avoiding the limitations set forth by the court system.
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?

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 Alston

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:

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

MIAMs, or Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings, are an essential part of the mediation process. The purpose of the MIAMs is to provide the parties involved with an opportunity to speak with a mediator and learn more about the process. It is mandatory for anyone who is looking to file an application with the family court to attend a MIAM. The mediator will provide an overview of the mediation process, the advantages of mediation, and what is expected of the participants. The mediator will also assess whether or not mediation is suitable for the case.

SUCCESS STORIES
From Lakes Mediation Alston 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