LAKES

MEDIATION Manchester

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

Lakes Mediation Manchester

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

Lakes Mediation Manchester

Finances

One of the most common reasons for family disputes is money. Financial disagreements between family members can often be complicated and emotional, leading to tension and hostility.

Finances can be a source of major stress especially when there are disagreements about who should be responsible for which expenses, or the distribution of assets. Finance mediation can help individuals in a family situation come to an agreement on how to divide assets and handle finances in the future.

A mediator can assist in the negotiation of a settlement agreement that is reasonable and fair to all parties.

Find Out More About Financial Disputes

Children

Parental separation can be difficult, and this can put children at the heart of family disputes. In such instances, family mediation can provide a safe and supportive environment for parents to communicate openly about the best interests of their children.

Mediators can assist parents in creating a parenting plan that works for both parties, covering elements such as visitation schedules, holidays, and school activities.

Family mediation helps parents to manage their emotions and reach an agreement that focuses on the well-being of their 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

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.

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 Manchester

Arrangements for School Holidays

One of the most significant benefits of a Child Arrangements Order is that it can help parents plan for the children’s school holidays.

The order typically outlines where the child should spend specific holidays such as Christmas, Easter, and summer vacations.

This helps to avoid confusion as both parents will know exactly where the children will be during the holidays.

It also helps children adjust to the separation situation as they can have the assurance of spending significant dates with both parents.

Arrangements for Christmas

Christmas can be an especially difficult time for separated families, as it is a time that is often associated with traditions and spending time together as a family.

It is important to approach the arrangements with a child-focused approach, keeping in mind the importance of spending time with both parents.

When making a decision about Christmas arrangements, the court will consider the wishes and feelings of the child, as well as the practicalities of the situation. &

It is generally recommended that the arrangements provide for a balance of time spent with each parent, as well as taking into account family traditions and the child’s best interests.

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 Manchester

Another common issue in family disputes is spousal maintenance, which involves payments made by one spouse to the other after a divorce or separation. Spousal maintenance mediation can provide a solution that is fair and reasonable to both parties. Here are some of the benefits of spousal maintenance mediation:

It provides an opportunity for both parties to express their needs and concerns. Mediation can help the parties to identify what they need financially and negotiate a mutually acceptable amount.
It can prevent protracted court battles. Spousal maintenance disputes can be complicated and drawn-out, but mediation can provide a relatively quick and efficient solution.
It is a more flexible and creative process. Mediation allows for a range of options that the court may not be able to consider, such as modifying or reducing payments in the future if circumstances change.
It helps to preserve dignity and respect. Mediation can create an environment that is more respectful and less confrontational than a court process, which can help to preserve the parties’ dignity and self-respect during a difficult time.

Why Choose lakes Mediation Manchester Over Court?

Why Mediation Is Needed

Family mediation is needed for many reasons. Firstly, it provides a way for family members to communicate with one another in a safe environment.

Mediation allows all parties to express their feelings and concerns in a respectful manner. Secondly, mediation can help to preserve important relationships. It allows individuals to work together to find solutions that benefit everyone, rather than causing further damage to relationships.

Finally, mediation is often less expensive and less time-consuming than going to court. It is also generally less adversarial, which can make for a smoother and more positive process.

Is It Legally Binding?

One of the most commonly asked questions is whether mediation agreements are legally enforceable.

Yes, they are legally binding as long as the parties enter into them voluntarily. Once an agreement has been reached, Lakes Mediation drafts a memorandum of understanding (MOU,) containing all the key terms.

The parties can then review the MOU with their respective attorneys before finalizing the agreement. The mediator does not represent either party but instead acts neutrally to facilitate the agreement.

What Is
Mediation?

At Lakes Mediation, we offer family mediation services to individuals in the community who wish to resolve disputes without resorting to legal action.

Our team of certified mediators has years of experience in the field, and we pride ourselves on providing a safe, neutral, and specialized area for our clients to find resolution.

Our mediators are trained to facilitate communication between the parties and guide them through the negotiation process, with the goal of finding mutually agreeable solutions that will work for all parties involved.

Benefits of Lakes Mediation Manchester

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

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 Manchester 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