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

Finances

One of the most common reasons for family disputes is money. Financial disagreements between family members can often be complicated and emotional, leading to tension and hostility.

Finances can be a source of major stress especially when there are disagreements about who should be responsible for which expenses, or the distribution of assets. Finance mediation can help individuals in a family situation come to an agreement on how to divide assets and handle finances in the future.

A mediator can assist in the negotiation of a settlement agreement that is reasonable and fair to all parties.

Children

Parental separation can be difficult, and this can put children at the heart of family disputes. In such instances, family mediation can provide a safe and supportive environment for parents to communicate openly about the best interests of their children.

Mediators can assist parents in creating a parenting plan that works for both parties, covering elements such as visitation schedules, holidays, and school activities.

Family mediation helps parents to manage their emotions and reach an agreement that focuses on the well-being of their children.

Grandparents

Sometimes, disputes arise between grandparents and their adult children, especially when it comes to access to grandchildren.

This can be a distressing situation for all parties involved. In such cases, mediation can be an effective way to build bridges and improve relationships. Mediators can help grandparents and their children communicate effectively and understand each other's perspectives.

They can also assist in establishing boundaries, expectations, and agreements that work for everyone. Lakes Mediation recognizes the importance of extended family relationships and can provide a respectful and empathetic space for grandparent mediation.

Pension

Family disputes can be emotionally draining, financially devastating and potentially destroy relationships forever.
Whether it's a divorce, child custody, or inheritance, the need for resolution in a fair and amicable way is paramount.
Fortunately, family mediation provides an opportunity to resolve conflicts without going to court or hiring lawyers.
In this article, we will discuss the benefits of family mediation, how it works, and why we firmly believe that Lakes Mediation offers the best mediation services.

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

It is essential to consider school holidays when discussing the Child Arrangements Order.

During school breaks, many parents like to take their children on vacation or spend more time with them. The arrangement for the child’s school holidays should be included in the CAO document to avoid any misunderstandings.

An effective way to allocate school holidays can be alternating the years or dividing them equally.

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 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

Another common issue in family disputes is spousal maintenance, which involves payments made by one spouse to the other after a divorce or separation. Spousal maintenance mediation can provide a solution that is fair and reasonable to both parties. Here are some of the benefits of spousal maintenance mediation:

It provides an opportunity for both parties to express their needs and concerns. Mediation can help the parties to identify what they need financially and negotiate a mutually acceptable amount.
It can prevent protracted court battles. Spousal maintenance disputes can be complicated and drawn-out, but mediation can provide a relatively quick and efficient solution.
It is a more flexible and creative process. Mediation allows for a range of options that the court may not be able to consider, such as modifying or reducing payments in the future if circumstances change.
It helps to preserve dignity and respect. Mediation can create an environment that is more respectful and less confrontational than a court process, which can help to preserve the parties’ dignity and self-respect during a difficult time.

Why Choose lakes Mediation Over Court?

Why Mediation Is Needed

Family mediation is needed for many reasons. Firstly, it provides a way for family members to communicate with one another in a safe environment.

Mediation allows all parties to express their feelings and concerns in a respectful manner. Secondly, mediation can help to preserve important relationships. It allows individuals to work together to find solutions that benefit everyone, rather than causing further damage to relationships.

Finally, mediation is often less expensive and less time-consuming than going to court. It is also generally less adversarial, which can make for a smoother and more positive process.

Is It Legally Binding?

Family mediation itself is not legally binding. It is the agreement that is reached through mediation that can be legally binding.

A mediator will encourage the parties to reach an agreement that is acceptable to all. Once an agreement has been reached, it can be written up into a formal legal agreement to be approved by a court.

If a party breaches the formal agreement, then they can be taken to court. It is crucial to note that only written agreements can be legally binding.

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

Family disputes can be overwhelming, emotionally draining and costly if not handled well. It’s essential to find a peaceful and satisfactory solution for everyone involved to move forward, and that’s where family mediation comes to play. At Lakes Mediation, we understand family conflicts can arise for various reasons, such as divorce, separation, or inheritance issues. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of family mediation and how it can help resolve disputes in a collaborative and respectful way.

Mediating can help in several ways, including:

providing a less stressful way of dealing with sensitive matters
facilitating communication and helping you sort out future arrangements
making it easier to review and change arrangements as long as both parties agree
and being a faster and cheaper way of resolving disputes.

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

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

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

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