LAKES

MEDIATION Kirkham

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

Lakes Mediation Kirkham

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 Kirkham

Finances

When it comes to family disputes, money is often at the forefront of people's minds. Financial mediation is a process that helps family members resolve financial matters such as property issues, child support, maintenance and other matters. It can be particularly beneficial for family members who want to avoid costly and time-consuming court proceedings and want to resolve their financial issues in a non-confrontational setting.

One of the key advantages of financial mediation is that it is confidential. This means that all parties involved in the process have the freedom to speak openly and honestly, without their statements being used in a court of law. Additionally, mediation can provide a more child-focused approach to resolving disputes, which can be important in cases where children are involved.

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

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 and home ownership can be complicated issues to resolve during family disputes.
However, with the help of a skilled mediator, the family members can work together to reach a mutually acceptable solution.

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 Kirkham

Arrangements for School Holidays

When parents have different work schedules or live far apart, agreeing on arrangements for school holidays can be complex.

A Child Arrangements Order can be tailored to specific needs, ensuring that the child’s care and educational needs are taken care of realistically.

The court will consider factors such as the distance between the parents’ homes, the child’s age, and any previous agreements or orders between the parents.

The order can also include any necessary provisions, such as the exchange of documents, pick-up locations, and transportation arrangements for the child.

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 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 Kirkham

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:

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

Why Choose lakes Mediation Kirkham Over Court?

children

Why Mediation Is Needed

Mediation is needed when two or more parties cannot resolve the issues between them. In family disputes, those involved may not be able to communicate clearly or may feel undervalued and disrespected.

As a result, differences can quickly escalate and lead to further conflict.

In such situations, enlisting the help of a mediator can facilitate a respectful dialogue between parties, opening channels of communication, and, ultimately, leading to a peaceful resolution.
mediation

Is It Legally Binding?

One of the most frequently asked questions about mediation is whether the agreements reached are binding.

Mediation agreements are not legally binding in themselves. However, they can be made legally enforceable by entering them into a court order. This means that if one party does not comply with the agreement, they can be held legally responsible. Mediation is a completely voluntary process, so all parties involved must agree on the terms and sign the documentation required.

Lakes Mediation ensures that the legal implications of the agreement are thoroughly discussed before the documents are signed, to ensure parties understand what is involved.

mediation

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 Kirkham

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

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 Kirkham 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