Family Mediation from Md8

When you decide to separate, it can be the most painful and emotional decision of your life. When you have children together, that often brings more upset as not only are you, the adults, having to deal with emotional, psychological, and financial pain, you also have to manage and support your children through this process.

Family mediation also includes working with couples without children who are separating or divorcing who need to reach a financial settlement.

You have started on a journey either as the one who left the relationship/marriage, or the one who has been left behind. Whilst practical decisions need to be made, when you are hurting emotionally and psychologically, your capacity to think, reason, and to make decisions is reduced. It can often feel overwhelming.

Mediation Can Help

However, mediation can support you through this process, by informing you about the legal process, helping identify decisions which need to be made, focusing on what children need, how other parents have handled situations, considering options to reach a settlement, and how a court might approach your situation whether it be about the children or finances.

Thinking About the Future

The timing of this is critical as you need to be ready to think about the future. Mediation can guide you through this journey, working at your pace, but moving forward in a structured way to help you to accept each stage as it arrives so you can make those decisions which will allow you to move on.

Even if your separation / divorce was some time ago, there can be bumps in the road particularly with arrangements for children. Mediation for children can be used at any time when you need some help with arrangements or to agree on a financial settlement.

Md8 can offer that help.

Md8 Mediation Service is here to help parents agree on arrangements for their children or to reach a financial settlement.

Who are the Mediators?

Mediation is provided by mediators who are properly trained and accredited by the Family Mediation Council, with a corresponding roll number. Only FMCA accredited mediators can issue signed court forms. They work to develop their practice through experience and ongoing training. Mediators come from different backgrounds including legal, counselling, family workers and others.

The Benefits of Mediation

Mediation allows clients to rebuild relationships as parents after a separation or divorce.
It puts control for decision making back with you the adults
It is usually more cost effective than using a legal remedy
It is a quicker process than going to court or using a legal remedy
It aims to end a relationship with some dignity
It aims to preserve an amicable working relationship for parents

The Essence of Mediation

Both clients must agree to the mediation taking place
The mediator is impartial and non-judgmental
The mediator does not negotiate with or advise clients but enables them to communicate with one another
The mediator can provide you with legal information but not legal advice.
It is confidential and legally privileged
It is future focused

The Aim of Mediation

To reach agreements in an amicable and civil manner by working together
To reach agreement on a Parenting Plan for the benefit of the children
To reach agreement on a financial settlement which is fair to you both
To improve the situation for the family
To progress a divorce and move on with your lives
To do all of the above in a way that is quicker and cheaper than a legal remedy
To be in control of decisions about your life and family
To minimise the cost of moving forward
To maintain as amicable a working relationship as parents when you have children together

Although your relationship as a couple may be over, you are Mum and Dad for life.

It is better to end your marriage with civility rather than in acrimony.