LAKES

MEDIATION Chester

Helping couples across the North West resolve conflict around children and financial disputes themselves without the need of courts or solicitors…

Lakes Mediation Chester

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

Lakes Mediation Chester

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.

Find Out More About Financial Disputes

Children

Child custody battles can be some of the most damaging and emotional disputes in a family.

However, through child mediation, parents can come to agreements on time-sharing, child support, and decision-making that prioritizes the best interest of their children.

Child mediation seeks to find a solution that works for both parents, which in turn creates a positive and less stressful environment for the children.

Learn More About Child Access

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.

Explore More on Child Maintenance

Pension

In family mediation, pension-related concerns are commonly addressed. The mediator can help parties to identify the various types of pensions, their value, and how they should be divided.
The process ensures that both parties have a comprehensive understanding of the pension division process.
Pension sharing can also be discussed in mediation. The mediator can refer parties to a financial advisor to provide further guidance.

Understand More About Pension

HOME OWNERSHIP

Another common topic in family mediation is home ownership disputes. When dealing with such issues, parties have the opportunity to make agreements concerning the family home.
They can decide who lives in the property, how the costs are shared, or how and when it's sold. Additionally, couples going through a divorce may be able to reach a settlement whereby one party maintains living in the home with the children while the other party is able to obtain their share in the equity of the property.
Family mediation can also be a chance to talk through, explore and resolve feelings related to the family home, which may help both parties come to a resolution quicker than if the matter was being disputed through the court system.

See More About Home Ownership

Child Arrangements Order Chester

Arrangements for School Holidays

One of the most challenging aspects of parenting after a separation is arranging times for holidays and other special occasions.

With a Child Arrangements Order, these issues can be addressed in advance, providing clarity and reducing the potential for conflict.

When making a decision about school holiday arrangements, the court will consider a number of factors, including the age of the child, the logistics of transportation, and the proximity of other family members.

It is generally recommended that the arrangements should be as fair and reasonable as possible, taking into account the child’s best interests.

Arrangements for Christmas

Another important consideration when making a child arrangement order is how the child will spend holidays, such as Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Many parents want to spend these special occasions with their children, but it can be challenging to come to an agreement on the specifics. In some cases, the court may specify alternate Christmas arrangements, where the child spends one year with one parent and the next year with the other parent.

Regardless of the specifics of the arrangement, it’s essential to remember that the focus should always be on what is best for the child. This may mean making some sacrifices or compromises, but ultimately, the child’s happiness and well-being should be the top priority.

Arrangements for Birthdays

Birthdays are another occasion that can be challenging for parents to navigate after separation.

Many parents want to spend this special day with their child, but it can be difficult to decide on how to split the day or who will have the child on their actual birthday. In some cases, the court may specify that the child spends half the day with one parent and half with the other.

However, it’s worth remembering that the specifics of the arrangements will depend on the unique circumstances of each family. What is most important is that the arrangement is fair, consistent, and in the best interests of the child.

Spousal Maintenance Chester

Spousal maintenance, commonly known as alimony, is often a significant issue in family disputes. During divorce proceedings, the topic can become a long and taxing legal battle that leaves both parties worse off. The adversarial system of litigation often pits spouses against each other, adding stress and animosity to an already difficult situation. Spousal maintenance mediation offers a collaborative and effective alternative. During mediation, a neutral mediator works with the couple to explore different options for spousal maintenance, taking into account factors such as income, earning potential, and quality of life. The process does require mutual trust and openness by both parties for it to work, but if you decide to go through with spousal maintenance mediation, the benefits for both parties are worth it. Some advantages of spousal maintenance mediation are:

You have control over the process and outcome, instead of leaving it in the hands of a judge.
You can save costs associated with lawyers and the formal litigation process.
It can be more flexible in providing a long-term or short-term solution.
It can repair damaged relationships and help with future co-parenting.

Why Choose lakes Mediation Chester Over Court?

Why Mediation Is Needed

Family mediation is a process of resolving disputes by facilitating communication and negotiation between two parties.

It enables both parties to find solutions and make decisions that will best serve the interests of their family.

Mediation is important because it promotes an open and honest dialogue between parties, which may not be possible in a traditional legal setting.

Additionally, mediation can be less expensive, less time-consuming, and less emotionally straining than the traditional court system. The mediation process provides a safe and neutral environment for both parties to explore creative solutions and come to agreed terms.

Is It Legally Binding?

One common question about family mediation is whether the agreement that is reached is legally binding.

In most cases, the answer is yes. Once an agreement has been reached, it can be made into a legally binding agreement by having it approved by a court.

This will make the agreement enforceable, which means that if one party does not follow through on their side of the agreement, legal action can be taken.

What Is
Mediation?

Lakes Mediation is a reputable and efficient mediation service provider. Our mediator, Rachel Lake, is a trained and experienced mediator with a background in law.

Rachel understands the importance of the family dynamics and strives to resolve issues in a timely and appropriate manner. We offer customized and confidential mediation sessions, tailored to meet the specific needs of each party.

Additionally, Lakes Mediation offers a cost-effective alternative to court litigation, and we aim to achieve excellent results for all involved parties.

Benefits of Lakes Mediation Chester

Family disputes can be challenging and stressful, especially if they result in legal battles. Fortunately, there is a way to resolve conflicts peacefully and amicably through family mediation. This process allows the parties involved to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement, with the help of a neutral mediator. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of family mediation and how Lakes Mediation in Louth can assist families in resolving their conflicts.

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 Chester 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