Starting the process
The first stage is an initial consultation - a conversation with the mediator to discuss the process and how it works. Contact us to arrange your free initial consultation.
When you are ready we can arrange your confidential individual assessment meeting. These meetings are called: Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings (MIAMs).
MIAMs are a legal requirement if you intend to make an application to court. However, for most people it is simply a first step in better understanding their options on separation. It is an opportunity to talk through your circumstances and learn about the ways in which separating families find suitable solutions. Following the meeting, you will be sent helpful links to relevant resources to enable you to feel more prepared about moving forwards.
What you need to know about MIAMs:
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They are confidential - allowing you the opportunity to share your thoughts and feelings freely without concern that they will be repeated to your former partner
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They usually last for around one hour
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You will learn about various options not just mediation
Booking an individual assessment:
You can book a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) here. Each MIAM costs £120 and usually last for around one hour. The cost also includes a mediator's certificate should you make the decision to make an application to court.
What happens next?
Following your confidential individual MIAM, we would then invite your former partner to have a meeting on the same terms, in order for them to obtain the same information as you have.
Mediating finances:
The first stage in mediating the financial implications of separation is for each person to provide full financial information (disclosure), so that both parties have a good understanding of the family’s financial picture - this includes assets (eg houses, cars, savings, business interests), income and information regarding pensions.
The next stage is to take the time to think about each person’s financial needs in the future, including gathering information in relation to housing needs, mortgage capacities and future expenditure.
Once you have a full financial picture, it is time to discuss options in relation to potential solutions. Where possible, it is preferable to obtain legal advice whilst exploring your options. A mediator can provide legal information but not advice. Legal advice enables you to make informed decisions.
If you reach joint proposals in mediation, your mediator will draft a Memorandum of Understanding, which sets out those proposals (and how you came to them) so that you can obtain legal advice.
The final stage (which takes place via solicitors or directly through the court) is the Consent Order, which is sent to the court for a judge to approve. This final stage takes place outside of mediation.
Paperwork:
There are two documents that the mediator will prepare for you in the course of mediating finances: the first is an Open Financial Statement, which sets out the financial picture for your family; and the second is a Memorandum of Understanding which details your joint proposals as to a financial solution.
Mediating arrangements for your children:
When it comes to mediating arrangements for your children, we will begin discussions by talking about each of your children generally so as to better understand who they are and what they each need. The needs of the children will be at the heart of all discussions going forward. When discussing arrangements for children, it is important to ensure that the children’s best interests are the focus, and that the solutions are practical and workable for your family.
Explore Mediation can produce an outcome statement to set out where you have got to with your discussions, or a more comprehensive parenting plan to set out a schedule of arrangements including: how and when the children spend time with each of you; what to do about holidays, birthdays, special occasions; any important decisions in relation to the children; plans for communication to ensure you have a clear way going forward.
The intention behind mediating arrangements for children is to ensure that you are in the best possible position to co-parent together into the future.
Where helpful and appropriate, we can offer child-inclusive mediation sessions with experienced and trained child-inclusive mediators who will give your child or children a voice in the process.
Find out more about How we work