Family mediation in Crewe
Lakes Mediation helps families in Crewe and across Cheshire East find practical ways to agree arrangements for children, finances, property and separation without immediately going to court.
Crewe mediation support
- MIAM appointments
- Child arrangements mediation
- Parenting plans
- Financial mediation
- Legal aid eligibility checks
Lakes Mediation Crewe
Lakes Mediation offers a calmer, more structured way for families in Crewe and Cheshire East to resolve disagreements arising from separation or divorce.
Our mediators provide a neutral and confidential setting where you can discuss arrangements for children, finances, property, pensions and communication, helping you work towards personalised solutions without starting with court proceedings.
What family mediation can help with
Children arrangements
Discuss where children live, when they spend time with each parent, handovers, holidays, schooling and communication.
Financial mediation
Work through property, pensions, savings, debts, income, financial disclosure and possible settlement proposals.
Communication
Create a clearer structure for difficult conversations where ongoing co-parenting or financial decisions are needed.
How mediation works
Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process where an independent mediator helps you and your former partner talk through difficult family issues with the aim of finding practical solutions.
You remain in control of the decisions. The mediator does not take sides, give legal advice or impose an outcome. Instead, the mediator helps structure the conversation and keeps the discussion focused on workable next steps.
Mediation can be faster, less adversarial and more cost-effective than asking a court to decide every issue for you.
The first step to mediation
If you plan to apply to the Family Court for an order about children or finances, you will usually need to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting, known as a MIAM, unless an exemption applies.
A MIAM does not force you into mediation. It explains the process, checks whether mediation is suitable and allows the mediator to discuss next steps with you.
If mediation cannot proceed
If the other person will not mediate, or if mediation is not suitable, the mediator may be able to provide the relevant paperwork to show the court that you have completed the MIAM step.
This may be needed before submitting a C100 for child arrangements or other relevant family court applications.
The cost of mediation in Crewe
Lakes Mediation checks clients to see whether they may qualify for legal aid. If you are eligible, legal aid may cover your MIAM and mediation sessions.
For child arrangement cases, the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme may also provide a contribution of up to £500 towards joint mediation sessions where the case meets the scheme criteria.
The mediation process in Crewe
Once both people agree to attend mediation and the mediator considers it suitable, joint sessions can begin. Where direct discussion is not appropriate, shuttle mediation may be considered.
The mediator helps you work through child arrangements, parenting plans, financial disclosure, property, pensions, savings, debts and future communication.
How Crewe mediation works
| Contact Lakes Mediation | Speak to the team about whether you need help with children, finances, separation, divorce, MIAMs or court forms. |
| Attend your MIAM | You attend an individual confidential meeting with a mediator to discuss mediation, suitability and next steps. |
| Invite the other person | Where appropriate, the other person can be invited to attend their own separate MIAM. |
| Start mediation sessions | If mediation is suitable and both people agree, sessions can take place online or by another suitable format. |
| Work through the issues | The mediator helps structure conversations around parenting, money, property, pensions or communication. |
| Record proposals | Where proposals are reached, they can be recorded. Legal advice or a court order may be needed before some outcomes become binding. |
Mediation in Crewe and Cheshire East
Crewe has a strong transport and railway heritage, with modern development around the town centre, Grand Junction Retail Park and the wider Cheshire East area.
Lakes Mediation supports families in Crewe and nearby areas including Nantwich, Sandbach, Alsager, Middlewich, Winsford and Shavington.
Our Crewe hub
Crewe Hub:
23–25 Market Street, Crewe, CW1 2EW
This location is strictly by appointment only and is not staffed. Mediation and urgent MIAM appointments can also be arranged online.
Crewe mediation FAQs
| Do I need a MIAM before court? | In many family cases, a MIAM is usually required before applying to court unless an exemption applies. |
| Can mediation help with child arrangements? | Yes. Mediation can help parents discuss where children live, when they spend time with each parent and how future decisions are handled. |
| Can mediation help with finances? | Yes. Mediation can help separating couples work through financial disclosure, property, pensions, savings, debts and settlement proposals. |
| Can mediation be online? | Yes. Online mediation is often useful where work, childcare, travel or geography make remote appointments more practical. |
| Can legal aid cover mediation? | Legal aid may cover mediation if you meet the eligibility rules. Lakes Mediation can discuss what information is needed for an assessment. |
| Is the Crewe hub staffed? | No. The Crewe hub is strictly by appointment only. Please arrange an appointment before attending. |
Our Crewe location
Find our Crewe mediation hub at 23–25 Market Street, Crewe, CW1 2EW. Appointments must be booked in advance.
Start family mediation in Crewe.
Speak to Lakes Mediation about MIAMs, child arrangements, financial mediation, online appointments, legal aid checks or next steps after separation.