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 as a commodity to be bargained over. Children don’t see 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 on this in mediation. Who is going to spend time 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 walk, count to ten. Finding a way to communicate effectively 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 or could be in mediation, it is also a good 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 can last into adulthood. Children often feel left in the 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 we do have a personal conflict management style, and because Read more…
Here are 10 top tips for parents to help them think about divorce from their child’s perspective. They have been devised by The Family Justice Young People’s Board. • Remember, I have the right to see both of my parents as long as it is safe for me. • I Read more…
This guide is designed to help separating partners: a) work out what to do; b) what the law says on pension sharing and c) how to come to an agreement. It also sets out what other help is there to help you plan for the future. The guide can be Read more…
In divorcing couples, it’s usually the man who has at least 90% of the pension wealth. Research by the University of Manchester found that while most couples have a pension, one partner normally has most of the pension pot. Fewer than 15% of couples have approximately equal pensions. That means Read more…
Adele’s first single, “Easy On Me”, from her latest album “30”, has her explaining to her son and former husband why she chose to walk away from her short marriage: “I changed who I was to put you both first, but now I give up”. The average length of a Read more…