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 Stockton-on-Tees

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

lakes mediation

Lakes Mediation Stockton-on-Tees

Finances

Arguments about money can cause severe tension in any family. That's why finance mediation is a crucial aspect of family mediation.

In finance mediation, a neutral mediator guides the parties involved in discussing their finances and coming to agreements in a non-confrontational and non-judgmental environment.

The mediator will help identify the issues, outline options and craft a mutually acceptable agreement.

It can cover anything from a divorce agreement to business disputes or inheritance conflicts. Lakes Mediation team has extensive experience in financial mediation and can help your family reach an agreement that works for each side.

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

Grandparents play an essential role in the upbringing of children, and it's essential to maintain positive relationships between them and their grandchildren.

Conflicts may arise due to differences in parenting styles, restrictions, and boundaries. Grandparent mediation can help resolve these issues and allow grandparents to continue to be a part of their grandchildren's lives.

The mediator will work to identify what issues are causing the dispute and to compile relevant information before working toward a mutual solution that suits everyone involved.

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 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 Stockton-on-Tees

Arrangements for School Holidays

One of the primary things that a child arrangement order addresses is how parents will share the responsibilities of raising their child.

This includes deciding who the child will live with, how often they will see the other parent, and how they will share expenses related to the child’s care. Additionally, the order may specify arrangements for school holidays, which can be a contentious issue for separated parents.

When deciding on arrangements for school holidays, the court will take into account the child’s age and needs, as well as the parents’ schedules and availability. For example, if one parent has a more flexible job or schedule, they may be responsible for taking care of the child during school holidays.

Ultimately, the goal of the arrangement is to ensure that both parents have meaningful and consistent relationships with the child, even if they are not living together.

Arrangements for Christmas

Christmas is an essential time of year, which means it could become a source of conflict between parents.

However, with a Child Arrangements Order, specific arrangements are made in advance, ensuring that the children have quality time with both parents, without any arguments.

For instance, the order might specify the parent who will have access to the child on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. This will contribute significantly to the children’s happiness, as they will not feel forced to choose between their 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 Stockton-on-Tees

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:

  1. Privacy: Like financial mediation, spousal maintenance mediation offers a private environment where you can discuss personal issues without fear of judgement.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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 Stockton-on-Tees Over Court?

children

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.
mediation

Is It Legally Binding?

Family mediation is not legally binding, but parties can choose to make the agreement legally binding by drafting a Consent Order or signing a contract.

Such arrangements can be binding and enforceable in court.

It’s important to understand that although mediation is not legally binding, parties must comply with agreements reached during mediation. In some cases, parties are legally required to attempt mediation before taking legal action.

mediation

What Is
Mediation?

Lakes Mediation is a professional family mediation service provider that aims to help families through difficult times.

The team of experienced mediators at Lakes Mediation is skilled in managing family disputes and committed to helping families reach mutually acceptable solutions. The company offers various types of mediation, including child custody and access mediation, divorce mediation, and family business mediation.

Lakes Mediation also provides online mediation services to clients who cannot attend in-person sessions.

Benefits of Lakes Mediation Stockton-on-Tees

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:

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

Family disputes can be emotionally draining, time-consuming and expensive. It can also take an emotional toll on all parties involved. In many situations, litigation is not the best approach. This is where family mediation comes in. Mediation is a process that enables parties to resolve disputes in a confidential and informal setting. It provides a more amicable way to resolve disputes, fostering communication and compromises to find mutually acceptable solutions. In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of mediation and MIAMs and how Lakes Mediation can help to reduce the cost, time, and stress of family disputes.

SUCCESS STORIES
From Lakes Mediation Stockton-on-Tees Clients

child access mediation
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
FPDS trusted
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
parental plan1
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
Handling Household Dispute