When problems develop in a family it can be necessary to ask for help to sort them out. You may need assistance agreeing a financial settlement or arrangements for children in the run up to a divorce or separation or in brokering a deal with an estranged parent or grandparents keen to be involved in your children’s life.
While the family court is always there to step in and impose solutions if needed, it is usually better for everyone if an agreement can be reached without the need for court involvement. Family mediation, is one way in which this can be achieved.
Drawing on their continuing experience of helping families in similar situations as a practising family solicitor, a trained family law mediator can assist you in exploring issues to enable you to try and reach solutions. Ideas you may not have thought about might be suggested and common ground identified which enables you to come to an arrangement which works for everyone.
The advantages of using mediation to resolve family disputes are that:
- You retain control over the decisions that are made;
- You develop a line of communication that can be beneficial after lawyers and courts would typically go away;
- You can agree to arrangements that a court might not typically allow, such as the ring-fencing of money to pay for private school fees;
- You can have a say in when the mediation takes place and how it is conducted and funded;
- You will still benefit from legal advice to ensure your rights are respected; and
- Mediation is quicker and cheaper than going to court.
Most cases are suitable for mediation and you must usually attend a mediation information and assessment meeting (MIAM) before asking a judge to intervene to show that the use of mediation has been considered. This does not apply in some instances, although your mediator or solicitor would advise you if they applied to you
How much does mediation cost?
At Dootsons, we offer a fixed price mediation service so that you know what the costs will be from the very outset. We charge a Fixed Fee of £50 + vat for the initial MIAM appointment.
We can also now offer contributions of up to £500 per family per mediation under the new Government voucher scheme to allow more families to access mediation services
Who will be the mediator?
We have our own in-house FMCA trained mediator, Angie Brown, who can conduct mediation information and assessment meetings and any consequent mediation meetings that are arranged. Appointments are available at our offices in Leigh, Culcheth or Newton or at another appropriate venue upon prior arrangement.
Download our free guide to mediation
Find out more
For further information on family mediation or to book your initial MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting), fill in the attached form and we will be in touch within 48 hours (on working days) to arrange a mutually convenient time.
Other family law legal advice
Our family law team can also advise more generally on:
At Dootsons Solicitors in Leigh, Culcheth and Newton we explain things in plain English, free of any jargon. We will discuss all the options with you, outlining the costs involved from the outset, and we make sure that you are kept informed regularly.
Make an appointment
For confidential advice on family mediation or any other family law matter, contact our family law solicitor Angie Brown on 01925 761052 or email abrown@dootsons.co.uk direct to arrange an appointment.
