The breakup of a relationship is never easy. As well as the practical elements that must be sorted, there is also considerable emotional factors to consider.<\/p>\n
With so much pressure being put on an already very stressful situation, it is small wonder that so many people find the process difficult to navigate.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]
Whether couples are married, unmarried, cohabitating, same-sex couples, mediation is worth considering. And, it can also help with disputes within families.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Feature 1″ module_class=”sfly_feature sfly_feature_1″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ background_enable_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]
As with all forms of mediation, it is voluntary, confidential, and non-judgemental process.<\/p>\n
Voluntary<\/strong> \u2013 no-one should be forced to attend mediation as this would negate the voluntary nature of the process. And, it is its voluntary nature that makes mediation so successful.<\/p>\n Anyone who feels forced into doing something that they do not want to do will resent that situation and will not approach it with an open mind.<\/p>\n Because mediation is voluntary, it allows people to be open and make up their own mind as to whether they want to participate in the process. And, it is quite common for people to be nervous, anxious, reluctant, and even mildly hostile when they attend their first session. And, generally, at the end of the first session, they are glad they came.<\/p>\n However, if they are not comfortable with the process, a person can withdraw from the mediation at any stage and for whatever reason.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] Confidential<\/strong> \u2013 anything that is said during mediation or any written notes made during mediation are confidential and cannot be used in any parallel or subsequent proceedings. Nor can the mediator be called to give evidence in any other court or tribunal by one party against the other.<\/p>\n There are a few exceptions to the confidentiality rule under the Mediation Act 2017, such as where there is a threat or danger to life or criminal activity is revealed and these will be fully explained to clients in an Agreement to Mediate.<\/p>\n Non-Judgemental<\/strong> \u2013 Mediation is not concerned with apportioning blaming. Its primary focus is to give parties the space and time they need to work out what is best for them and those around them in their new reality.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” admin_label=”CTA 2″ module_class=”sfly_cta sfly_cta_2 sfly_black_overlay” _builder_version=”4.9.7″ background_color=”#000000″ background_image=”http:\/\/lingwoodmediation.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/lisa-lingwood-1-scaled.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” custom_padding=”|||” global_module=”84″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.10″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#006994″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#006994″ header_3_font=”|700|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#006994″ background_layout=”dark” global_colors_info=”{}”] Avail of our FREE no obligation quote service\u00a0 just complete a few general questions and we will send you a FREE No Obligation Quote<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_button button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjIwOSJ9fQ==@” button_text=”QUOTE” button_alignment=”right” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#000000″ button_bg_color=”#ffffff” button_border_color=”#ffffff” button_font=”Lato|700|||||||” button_use_icon=”off” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”8px|36px|8px|36px|true|true” animation_style=”fade” button_text_color_hover=”#ffffff” button_border_color_hover=”#ffffff” button_bg_color_hover=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#ffffff” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_border_color__hover=”#ffffff” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_bg_color__hover=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] With the assistance of the mediator, the parties can sit down together in a safe environment and discuss how they would like to move forward.<\/p>\n And allowing the couple to decide what \u201cmoving forward\u201d means for them is important. Each family is different and therefore giving them the power to decide what works best for them and their children and even extended family can be very useful in determining what the future is going to look like.<\/p>\n For most couples, mediation takes between four to six sessions during which all issues are discussed. The most typical matters that come up for consideration are:<\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Property<\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Finances<\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Maintenance<\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Children and parenting<\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Extended family<\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Other matters of importance<\/p>\n Even if all the issues cannot be agreed upon, mediation can help reduce the number of points of disagreement between couples, thereby making litigation an easier and shorter process.<\/p>\n At the conclusion of mediation, the mediator will draw up a mediation agreement that covers all matters or matters that were agreed upon and this can be converted into a legal document.<\/p>\n This agreement can be very comprehensive or simply include matters that were agreed upon, allowing parties to refer items that were not agreed upon to the court system.<\/p>\n The agreement can take a permanent form, or it can be what is called an interim agreement, whereby parties make an agreement for a specific time frame.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] For example, interim agreements are often used whereby parties agree a course of action until a property is sold. Or, it could be that parties agree to a particular schedule until a child finishes primary or secondary school. There are several situations where interim agreements can be used to help couples\u2019 transition from one circumstance to another.<\/p>\n In addition, mediation is generally less expensive and more expedient than the court process. Many separating couples find that mediation really helps them \u2013 as it empowers them to take control and make decisions and work out mutually acceptable arrangements about their future rather than handing that power to a judge.<\/p>\n Finally, it is important to note that mediation is not an either or alternative to litigation. There is absolutely nothing to prevent a person from getting legal advice or initiating proceedings in court as these can be paused to allow for mediation.<\/p>\n The advice I give to clients is:<\/p>\nA FREE No Obligation Quote<\/h3>\n
The Process<\/h3>\n