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Parties are free to discuss any issues they wish. Successful mediation requires that both parties have a mutual wish to resolve the issues themselves, constructively and economically. They must be willing to deal with each other in good faith and cooperate with the mediator.
Relationship breakdown
When a relationship might be saved we can make a referral to relationship counselling.
We can assist in helping a couple decide on the timing of a separation or divorce. The procedure and cost of divorce can also be considered.
Children
Many clients find it useful to discuss parenting arrangements in mediation, which is usually successful in restoring constructive communication between parents at a time of tension and fear of the future. Parents can discuss where their children should live or what arrangements should be made for their upbringing including contact with a parent or other family members.
Mediators have a special concerned for the welfare of children in mediation. We encourage parents and other significant adults in their lives to explore the situation from the children's point of view and consider their wishes and feelings.
The mediator can discuss with you how to prepare the children for the changes in the family. It is important that the children can express their own concerns and have their questions answered. We can recommend reading material about family breakdown suitable for the age groups of your children.
We can give information about Contact Centres or other helping agencies in your locality.
We discuss with the participants to mediation whether it would be appropriate for the mediator to consult separately with children of a suitable age as to how their voice will be heard in the process. Mediators have to be specially trained and checked for that purpose. Children have to give their consent to be involved and have the same right to confidentiality as their parents.
We ask you not to bring your children with you to your mediation session. We are unable to provide adequate supervision for them to remain outside in the waiting area.
The family home
We can assist in helping a couple decide on the timing or postponement of a sale and how the proceeds/equity/contents should be divided and how future housing will be funded.
Capital assets
Joint and individual savings, shares and other investments are disclosed, valued and discussed in mediation with a view to deciding their division.
Maintenance
Some couples prefer to decide together in mediation what level of spousal maintenance or child support will be paid using their own budget information without reference to the CSA.
Pensions
Pension funds are disclosed, valued and discussed in mediation with a view to deciding whether or when pension sharing is appropriate or possible.
Debt
Joint, individual or business debt can be discussed in the context of separation/divorce.
Businesses
Where the parties have been running a business together, they can consider whether to continue with it, sell it or whether one party will buy out the other.
Where one party has been running a business, which is the family's principal source of income, it may continue to provide income for the family. They will consider the effect on their settlement of a sale or other benefits, which will eventually flow from the business.
In short we offer to assist with any or all of the problems
that arise when couples part.
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