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 Stoke

There will always be disputes between families but choosing mediation is a better solution for dispute resolution – avoid court contact us today!

Lakes Mediation Stoke

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

When parents decide to separate, the most challenging aspect can be deciding what's best for the children.

Children mediation can provide a safe space to explore the best possible outcome for everyone involved. With the help of a trained mediator, parents can work together to create a co-parenting plan that meets the needs of the children.

The mediator can offer guidance on how to communicate effectively and avoid placing the children in the middle of the conflict.

At Lakes Mediation, their mediators are experts at helping parents focus on the priorities, especially regarding the children, and come to mutual agreements that will benefit all family members.

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

Pensions are often one of the most valuable assets a couple owns, and often they are shared between the spouses.
Dividing a pension can be a complicated process, but with mediation, everything becomes more transparent.
Mediation can provide the couple with many options, such as offsetting or outright sharing the pension.

HOME OWNERSHIP

In cases where a family dispute involves the division of property, family mediation can offer a more comfortable and peaceful alternative to the court.
One of the most common issues in property disputes is deciding who gets ownership of the family home.
Mediation can help avoid costly litigation, as well as allow for more creative solutions to be reached such as buyout options or splitting of assets.
Mediation also allows parties to preserve their relationships, which may be important especially when children are involved.

Child Arrangements Order Stoke

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 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 Stoke

Resolving disputes related to spousal maintenance can be equally challenging, and can often bring up painful emotions related to past relationships. However, family mediation can provide a way forward that is respectful and fair to all parties involved. Some of the top benefits of spousal maintenance mediation include:

Privacy: Like financial mediation, spousal maintenance mediation offers a private environment where you can discuss personal issues without fear of judgement.
Control: Unlike a court ruling, mediation allows all parties to have a say in the final outcome. This can be hugely beneficial in making sure that everyone’s needs are met.
Emphasis on the future: One of the major differences between court proceedings and mediation is that mediation places emphasis on the future. This means that all parties involved can focus on moving forward, rather than focusing on what happened in the past.
Reduced acrimony: Mediation provides a way to resolve disputes without the need for contentious arguments. This can reduce feelings of acrimony towards one another, and pave the way for future interactions.

Why Choose lakes Mediation Stoke 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?

One of the most common questions about family mediation is whether it’s legally binding. The answer is no, family mediation is not legally binding by itself. However, if the parties come to an agreement during mediation, they can choose to make it legally binding by signing a consent order. A consent order is a legal document that outlines how the parties have agreed to settle their legal dispute.

This means that family mediation can provide the framework and foundation for a legally binding resolution, but it’s up to the parties to finalize it. The courts will recognize a consent order as a legally binding contract, and will enforce it accordingly.

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 Stoke

Family conflict can bring unnecessary stress and tension. It is normal for family members to argue and disagree, but when communication breaks down, it can lead to damaging consequences. Disputes within a family can be overwhelming, creating a toxic environment that affects everyone’s mental health. Fortunately, family mediation has become a popular option in recent years. If you’re struggling with family conflict, Lakes Mediation offers you a solution to address communication issues. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of Lakes mediation and why it is the best choice for resolving disputes.

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

Often, before beginning a mediation process, all parties must attend a MIAM. A MIAM is an initial meeting where the mediator assesses whether mediation is appropriate for the conflict at hand. This assessment includes whether the parties are prepared for mediation, whether any safety procedures need to be followed, and any other necessary factors.

SUCCESS STORIES
From Lakes Mediation Stoke 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