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

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

When it comes to family disputes, money is often at the forefront of people's minds. Financial mediation is a process that helps family members resolve financial matters such as property issues, child support, maintenance and other matters. It can be particularly beneficial for family members who want to avoid costly and time-consuming court proceedings and want to resolve their financial issues in a non-confrontational setting.

One of the key advantages of financial mediation is that it is confidential. This means that all parties involved in the process have the freedom to speak openly and honestly, without their statements being used in a court of law. Additionally, mediation can provide a more child-focused approach to resolving disputes, which can be important in cases where children are involved.

Children

When parents separate, communication between them can often break down.

This can lead to issues involving children becoming complex and intractable. If parents can't agree on crucial issues concerning their children, mediation can help.

Mediators can work with parents to manage their emotions and to put the child first.

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

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

In most cases, the family home is the most significant asset, and the distribution of the property can be complex.
Mediation can offer several solutions, such as one party buying the other out, selling the home and dividing the proceeds, or co-owning the property and continuing to live in it.

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 another important occasion that can be difficult to navigate after a separation. With a Child Arrangements Order, the arrangements for birthdays can be made in advance, providing structure and reducing conflict.

When making a decision about birthday arrangements, the court will consider the age of the child, the wishes of the child, and the practicalities of the situation.

It is generally recommended that the arrangements provide for an equal amount of time spent with each parent, where possible, as well as taking into account family traditions and the child’s best interests.

Spousal Maintenance

Spousal maintenance, commonly known as alimony, is often a significant issue in family disputes. During divorce proceedings, the topic can become a long and taxing legal battle that leaves both parties worse off. The adversarial system of litigation often pits spouses against each other, adding stress and animosity to an already difficult situation. Spousal maintenance mediation offers a collaborative and effective alternative. During mediation, a neutral mediator works with the couple to explore different options for spousal maintenance, taking into account factors such as income, earning potential, and quality of life. The process does require mutual trust and openness by both parties for it to work, but if you decide to go through with spousal maintenance mediation, the benefits for both parties are worth it. Some advantages of spousal maintenance mediation are:

  1. You have control over the process and outcome, instead of leaving it in the hands of a judge.
  2. You can save costs associated with lawyers and the formal litigation process.
  3. It can be more flexible in providing a long-term or short-term solution.
  4. It can repair damaged relationships and help with future co-parenting.

Why Choose lakes Mediation Over Court?

children

Why Mediation Is Needed

Family conflicts can arise for many reasons, such as divorce, separation, financial problems, and property disputes. When the dispute escalates beyond a certain point, communication break down, making it difficult for family members to discuss sensitive issues without conflict.

Mediation helps to provide an impartial third party who can help resolve these conflicts.

With a mediator in place, open communication is more likely, allowing all the parties involved to voice their opinions, and work towards a mutually acceptable solution. Here are some benefits of family mediation:
mediation

Is It Legally Binding?

One of the most frequently asked questions about mediation is whether the agreements reached are binding.

Mediation agreements are not legally binding in themselves. However, they can be made legally enforceable by entering them into a court order. This means that if one party does not comply with the agreement, they can be held legally responsible. Mediation is a completely voluntary process, so all parties involved must agree on the terms and sign the documentation required.

Lakes Mediation ensures that the legal implications of the agreement are thoroughly discussed before the documents are signed, to ensure parties understand what is involved.

mediation

What Is
Mediation?

Lakes Mediation is a family mediation service that provides a safe, neutral space for families to come together and work out their differences.

They have a team of experienced and highly-skilled mediators who are dedicated to helping families find peaceful solutions. Lakes Mediation offers mediation services for a variety of family issues, including divorce, separation, child custody, and more.

They are committed to supporting families throughout the mediation process and ensuring that all parties feel heard and respected.

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

When family disputes occur, communication and compromise are often difficult to achieve on one’s own. This is where family mediation comes into play. Lakes Mediation offers a resolution-focused approach to family conflicts, with the objective of reaching mutually agreed upon solutions that work for everyone. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of family mediation, as well as the importance of attending MIAMs (Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings) prior to the mediation process.

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