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.
January often sees an increase in the number of people deciding to live apart as the various pressures that naturally go hand-in-hand with the Christmas period act as a final straw for relationships.
Michelle Bettell, pictured, Senior Associate and experienced Accredited Family Mediator at Bournemouth-based law firm, Steele Raymond, says Family Mediation Week is designed to raise awareness of the multiple benefits of family mediation.
The amicable process can help former partners agree what works for them while avoiding the court process with all the stress, delay and cost it brings.
Michelle said: “Many people emerge from the festive period feeling defeated by the pressures on relationships and finances that have been highlighted during the holiday period.
“We regularly find couples in this position simply don’t know which way to turn. Their life-changing decision to separate brings with it so many tough questions:
- Who lives where?
- Where will the children live, and how will we make sure we each spend time with them?
- How will we sort money and the house?
- What about debts and who will be paying toward household/family outgoings?
“Family Mediation Week shines a helpful spotlight on these tricky issues, offering 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 will facilitate discussions to help you work out what is important in your separation, the aim being to help you avoid courtroom confrontation.
“Professionally trained mediators help to empower you to decide how to create long-term solutions for your particular circumstances, rather than leaving it to a court to make decisions for your family.”
Family Mediation Week is from January 22 to 26.
More information can be found here.