LAKES

MEDIATION

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

Lakes Mediation

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

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

Another benefit of family mediation is its focus on children's needs and interests.

Children often become the innocent victims of family disputes, which can lead to long-term emotional damage. Mediation provides an opportunity for parents to discuss their children's welfare, education, visitation schedules, and other essential matters.

The mediator acts as a neutral third-party who can help facilitate a mutually acceptable arrangement for the children's well-being. Lakes Mediation places a high emphasis on child-centered mediation to ensure that the children's voices are heard and their rights are protected.

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

One of the most significant assets that are often part of divorce negotiations is the pension.
It's a complicated asset to value and divide, and if not managed correctly, it can result in unfairness or even financial ruin. That is where a family mediator comes in.
A family mediator can discuss the details of your pension and how it is valued, as well as explore options for division.
Through mediation sessions, you and your spouse can work together to reach a mutual agreement on how the pension will be divided.

HOME OWNERSHIP

When it comes to homeownership, family mediation can help parties to explore the different options for dividing a property.
For example, one party can keep the property and, in return, pay out the other party's share in cash or by offsetting the assets.
Family mediation can be beneficial in addressing potential issues, which otherwise can lead to further complications in court proceedings if not resolved timely.

Child Arrangements Order

Arrangements for School Holidays

One of the primary things that a child arrangement order addresses is how parents will share the responsibilities of raising their child.

This includes deciding who the child will live with, how often they will see the other parent, and how they will share expenses related to the child’s care. Additionally, the order may specify arrangements for school holidays, which can be a contentious issue for separated parents.

When deciding on arrangements for school holidays, the court will take into account the child’s age and needs, as well as the parents’ schedules and availability. For example, if one parent has a more flexible job or schedule, they may be responsible for taking care of the child during school holidays.

Ultimately, the goal of the arrangement is to ensure that both parents have meaningful and consistent relationships with the child, even if they are not living together.

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 a significant day for any child, and it’s essential to make sure they get to spend them with loved ones.

You can include details about how to celebrate the child’s birthdays in your Child Arrangements Order.

You might agree that the child should spend the whole day with one parent or be with one parent for the first part of the day and the other parent for the latter part.

The court recognizes that each child is unique and will consider the child’s wishes, age, and what is reasonable for both parents.

Spousal Maintenance

Spousal maintenance, also known as alimony, is a payment made by one spouse to the other after a divorce or separation. In family mediation, the parties can work together to create a spousal maintenance agreement that addresses the needs of both parties. Some advantages of spousal maintenance mediation include:

  1. The parties can create an agreement that works for both parties.
  2. They can save time and money by avoiding court hearings.
  3. Mediation allows for more flexibility in creating a payment plan.
  4. The parties retain control over the outcome.
  5. Mediation allows for a more amicable resolution, which can be beneficial for co-parenting arrangements.

Why Choose lakes Mediation 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 commonly asked questions is whether mediation agreements are legally enforceable.

Yes, they are legally binding as long as the parties enter into them voluntarily. Once an agreement has been reached, Lakes Mediation drafts a memorandum of understanding (MOU,) containing all the key terms.

The parties can then review the MOU with their respective attorneys before finalizing the agreement. The mediator does not represent either party but instead acts neutrally to facilitate the agreement.

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

Divorce or separation is never easy, especially when children are involved. It can be emotionally taxing for everyone in the family, and the legal process can also be complicated and costly. That’s why many families are turning to family mediation as a way to resolve disputes and come to agreements in a peaceful and mutually beneficial way. If you’re considering family mediation, you’re taking an important step towards a more amicable and efficient process. In this guide by Lakes Mediation, we’ll explore the benefits of family mediation and how it can help your family during a difficult time.

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 are information and assessment meetings that are usually the first step in the mediation process. MIAMs are mandatory before a family dispute case can go to court. During a MIAM, the mediator explains the process of mediation, assesses whether mediation is appropriate for the case, and provides information on other options available. This includes the costs, rights, and obligations related to mediation. The MIAM is confidential and only involves the mediator and the parties involved.

SUCCESS STORIES
From Lakes Mediation 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