FAMILY MEDIATION
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Family Mediation for Separation, Children & Financial Matters
Separation and family disputes can be emotionally difficult and financially complex. PLB Mediation Services provides a structured, impartial mediation process to help separating couples and parents work through important issues and explore practical arrangements for the future.
A Structured Way to Work Through Family Disputes
Family disputes often involve more than legal and financial questions. They can affect relationships, children, living arrangements and the practical decisions that shape life after separation.
Mediation provides a structured environment in which separating couples or parents can discuss the issues that need to be resolved with the assistance of an impartial mediator.
At PLB Mediation Services, our role is to facilitate constructive discussion, help participants identify areas of disagreement and agreement, and support them in exploring realistic options.
The mediator does not decide the outcome and does not act as the solicitor for either participant. The people involved remain responsible for deciding what arrangements they are prepared to accept.
What Can Family Mediation Help With?
Child Arrangements & Parenting
Mediation can help parents discuss arrangements for their children, including where children spend time, communication and practical parenting arrangements.
Financial Arrangements
Separating couples may need to discuss income, savings, liabilities, pensions and other financial matters arising from the end of a relationship.
Property & Asset Matters
Mediation can provide a structured setting for discussions about the family home, other property, assets and practical arrangements following separation.
Moving Forward
Mediation can help participants focus on practical arrangements for the future and identify areas where constructive agreement may be possible.
How Family Mediation Works
Contact our team to discuss your circumstances at a general level and learn more about the mediation process.
We consider whether mediation appears suitable and explain the arrangements, process and next steps.
Participants meet with the mediator to discuss the issues that need to be resolved and explore possible options.
The mediator helps participants identify areas of agreement and disagreement and facilitates constructive discussion.
Where participants reach agreement, the outcome can be recorded and appropriate next steps considered.
Who Can Use Family Mediation?
Couples considering separation or working through the practical consequences of a relationship breakdown.
Parents who need to discuss arrangements for their children and future parenting.
Former partners resolving ongoing financial or practical issues.
Families needing support to work through significant changes and arrangements constructively.
Is Family Mediation Suitable for Everyone?
Mediation is not appropriate in every situation. Suitability depends on the circumstances of the dispute and the ability of the participants to engage meaningfully and safely in the process.
Issues such as safety concerns, significant power imbalances, unwillingness to participate or other circumstances may affect whether mediation is appropriate.
An initial assessment helps determine whether mediation may be a suitable option and what arrangements may be needed.
What is family mediation?
Is the mediator on my side?
Do I need a solicitor?
Can mediation help with children?
Can we discuss financial matters?
Does mediation guarantee an agreement?
How long does family mediation take?
Where does mediation take place?
Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting (MIAM)
For certain family disputes, a Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting (MIAM) forms an important part of the mediation process. A MIAM provides an opportunity to understand what mediation involves, discuss the circumstances of the dispute and consider whether mediation is suitable.
