Help With Mediation for Divorce and Separation
Mediation clients often say that they have come to mediation to avoid having to use lawyers, who they fear will make relations with the other party worse and will involve high fees. A sensible use of lawyers in the mediation process can in fact help the mediation to succeed. This usually involves consulting lawyers on particular… Read more »
Sometimes mediation is either unsuitable or one party is unwilling to consider even attending a mediation information and assessment of suitability meeting with a trained mediator. In these circumstances the willing parent usually wants guidance on what to do next. That parent will often want to take the matter to court for a decision on… Read more »
If you like to get your information from videos, the Ministry of Justice has launched a family mediation video on how mediation can help separating or divorcing couples sort out their finances and arrangements for their children ( family mediation video ). Lots more information in video and other forms, with lots of useful links… Read more »
In England and Wales there is only one ground for divorce: that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. Unfortunately the system is based on fault, that is, having to make an allegation against the other party to the marriage. This one ground for divorce can only be proved in one of 5 ways: for an… Read more »
Some other court fees connected with divorce have also increased. To defend a divorce petition, called an Answer, costs £255. To obtain the final document which legally finishes the marriage, called a decree absolute, costs £45. If financial arrangements are agreed, to obtain an agreed order, called a consent order, costs £45. Depending on your financial position… Read more »
The media seem to have been telling us that modern fathers now play a large part in sharing the time it takes to care for their children. But is it true? Are fathers playing equal time in looking after their children? In his new book, Gideon Burrows, who does share equal care of his children,… Read more »
Following completion of its public consultation on its response to the Family Justice Review, the Government has published its plans on shared parenting, which are contained in the Children and Families Bill 2013. This includes a clause, amending the Children Act 1989, so that a court will have to presume, unless the contrary is shown,… Read more »
The Ministry of Justice has published divorce hot spots in order to urge couples to use divorce mediation to ease the dispute rather than fighting it out in court. Legal Aid will stop for most family matters after March 2013 but will remain for divorce mediation. The Government will be putting more money into supporting… Read more »
Mediation is voluntary. It is not unusual for one party to be keen to mediate but the other refuses to attend. If that happens then family mediation cannot go ahead. Some people think that mediation can be forced on you by a court. This is wrong. A court does not have that power. However, a… Read more »
The Government has launched a web app, “Sorting out Separation”, to help separating parents make arrangements for their children and other matters arising on separation. Amongst its many sections the app has a section on Family Mediation. At the same time a YouGov poll was published concerning parents access to help when separating. This is important as… Read more »