When you are in a broken relationship, your ability to be the best parent you can be is hampered. So, separation can be a positive opportunity to have a better relationship with your children. Try not to see your child Read more…
Being a separated parent is a daunting challenge. Here are some issues you may wish to consider when exploring what arrangements best suit your new family. If you think agreeing on a parenting plan would be helpful, we can work Read more…
During mediation it is really important, though often really hard, to keep communication with your ex civilized. Communication can be hampered when you feel too anxious, angry or upset. Basic exercises may help – take a breath, go for a Read more…
Mediators are prohibited from giving clients legal advice. If you require a legally binding agreement (a Consent Order) to finalise your agreement, it is a good idea to have a solicitor. If you are unclear about what your position should Read more…
The Office for National Statistics published the divorce statistics for 2020 in England and Wales. There is a caveat about the potential but unknown impact of the pandemic on the figures. Highlights are: Over 103, 000 divorces were granted in Read more…
A 2021 study into the stress of taking a divorce to court has found the following effects on children: Parental separation can be highly stressful for children and can have a big impact on their lives. For some, this impact Read more…
The government is extending the family mediation voucher scheme. They have also contributed another £1.3 million, which is expected to extend the scheme until the end of March 2022. This means that mediators can continue to offer vouchers to their Read more…
The Child Maintenance Service collected or arranged a record £1 billion last year. The increase is down to the CMS having stronger powers and and having strong sanctions. This includes deductions from personal bank accounts as well as seizing passports Read more…
Different people use different strategies for managing conflicts. These strategies are learned, usually in childhood, and they seem to function automatically. Often, we are not aware of how we act in conflict situations. We just do what comes naturally. But Read more…
The number of calls to the Respect Men’s Advice Line, which offers support to men experiencing domestic abuse, rose by 60 per cent on this time last year. The charity says the pandemic made the problem worse by an increase Read more…