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 Harrogate

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

Lakes Mediation Harrogate

Finances

In many family disputes, financial issues are a significant factor, whether it's a divorce or a property settlement. Financial mediation involves a neutral third-party facilitator who helps both parties to identify the issues they have and comes up with options and strategies for a mutually agreeable resolution.

This approach can save time, money, and stress, considering the potential cost of litigation.

The mediator will help the parties to compile a list of assets, debts, and income, providing a clear picture of the financial situation so that parties can effectively negotiate on these key areas.

Children

Disputes can also arise concerning custody and parenting plans for children.

Parents may not agree on the living arrangements for the child, visitation schedules, and child support payments. A mediator can offer a neutral perspective and assist the parents in establishing a plan that aims to meet the child's best interests.

During this type of mediation, family members will learn to communicate with each other effectively, and understand how crucial it is to put the child's needs first and foremost.

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

One of the most significant assets that are often part of divorce negotiations is the pension.
It's a complicated asset to value and divide, and if not managed correctly, it can result in unfairness or even financial ruin. That is where a family mediator comes in.
A family mediator can discuss the details of your pension and how it is valued, as well as explore options for division.
Through mediation sessions, you and your spouse can work together to reach a mutual agreement on how the pension will be divided.

HOME OWNERSHIP

Similarly, when it comes to property disputes, a family mediator can provide a safe and non-judgmental space to navigate this sensitive issue.
Homeownership is often the most valuable asset for families, which can make property disputes complicated and long-lasting.
A mediator can provide an unbiased perspective and guide the conversation towards a common ground or compromise.
The mediator can help evaluate the value of the property, choose a real estate appraiser and even assist in drafting necessary documentation.

Child Arrangements Order Harrogate

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 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 Harrogate

Spousal maintenance, also known as alimony, is a payment made by one spouse to the other after a divorce or separation. In family mediation, the parties can work together to create a spousal maintenance agreement that addresses the needs of both parties. Some advantages of spousal maintenance mediation include:

The parties can create an agreement that works for both parties.
They can save time and money by avoiding court hearings.
Mediation allows for more flexibility in creating a payment plan.
The parties retain control over the outcome.
Mediation allows for a more amicable resolution, which can be beneficial for co-parenting arrangements.

Why Choose lakes Mediation Harrogate Over Court?

Why Mediation Is Needed

When disagreements arise within families, it’s not uncommon for people to resort to legal action. However, this approach often leads to hostility and can communicate a lack of willingness to listen or understand, which is not ideal for ongoing co-parenting arrangements or reconciliations.

Family mediation, on the other hand, provides a forum for the parties to communicate and discuss their issues openly and neutrally. A mediator is trained to facilitate communication and ensure a safe space where all parties can speak without fear of escalation.

This helps to ensure that all parties are heard, and all concerns are addressed, which can result in an amicable resolution to the conflict.

Is It Legally Binding?

Mediation is not legally binding in the same way that a court ruling would be.

However, when an agreement is reached through family mediation, it is legally binding in the sense that it is a “contract” between the parties involved.

Additionally, agreements reached in mediation can be incorporated into a legally binding document, which means that each party is legally obligated to follow the agreement reached during 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 Harrogate

Family conflicts can be difficult to navigate, especially when emotions run high and communication breaks down. When disputes escalate, legal battles often follow. However, there is another way to resolve family conflicts that is much less stressful and costly. Family mediation is a process where a third-party mediator helps two or more parties negotiate and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of family mediation and why you should consider it as an alternative to litigation.

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

A MIAM, or Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting, is a meeting that is often required before starting the mediation process. A MIAM is a chance for each party to meet with a qualified mediator who will explain the process of mediation, answer any questions they may have, and assess whether mediation is suitable for their situation.

SUCCESS STORIES
From Lakes Mediation Harrogate 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