Separating couples are urged to avoid courtroom conflict as Family Mediation Week kicks off.
Couples who have decided to separate or divorce in 2024 are being urged to find out how to avoid courtroom confrontation to settle money and parenting arrangements, with the launch of Family Mediation Week which takes place between 22nd – 26th January.
January usually sees a dramatic rise in the number of couples deciding to live apart as the various pressures that go hand-in-hand with the Christmas period act as a final straw for relationships.
Rebekah Gershuny, principal of Evolve Family Mediation based in Watford and London, says Family Mediation Week is designed to raise awareness of the benefits of family mediation, a process that can help ex-partners agree what works for them, whilst avoiding the court process with all the stress, delay and cost it can bring.
She says that: “Many couples emerge from the festive period feeling defeated by the pressures on relationships and finances that have been highlighted during the holiday period.
Couples facing separation or divorce often feel overwhelmed and simply don’t know which way to turn. They feel swamped by advice from family and friends but can lack the tools and information needed to deal with their life-changing decision to separate.
Discussions with a qualified mediator trained to diffuse tension and allow all points of view to be heard, enable couples to find answers to tough questions such as:-
• Who will live where?
• Where will the children live, and how will we make sure we each spend quality time with them?
• How do we go about working out our money?
• What about debts and pensions?
• And even family pets?
By shining a helpful spotlight on these challenging issues, Family Mediation Week offers separating couples information about their options as they look to make arrangements for parenting, property and finance.”
Family mediation is a process where an independent, professionally-trained mediator helps couples to work out arrangements, which in turn helps avoid courtroom confrontation.
Professional mediators help empower couples to create long-term solutions for their particular circumstances, rather than leaving it to a court to make decisions for their family.”
Evolve Family Mediation is also taking part in the Ministry of Justice’s Family Mediation Voucher Scheme, which meets up to £500 of mediation costs for families if they need to discuss arrangements for children.
Legal Aid remains available for family mediation.