You may be asking: what kind of agreements come out of mediation? The short answer is simple. Mediation helps you and your former partner make practical decisions about money, children and other family matters. At Family Mediation Services, an accredited mediator guides these talks and keeps them calm, fair and focused.
What can you agree on in mediation?
So, what agreements can be reached in mediation? Five main areas cover most cases. First, we will look at each one in turn. Then we will explain the steps that follow.
1. Financial settlement agreements
Many people come to mediation to settle money matters. Together, you decide how to share the equity in your home and your savings when you separate. Your accredited mediator helps you list everything you own and owe. As a result, you both see the full picture before you decide anything. You can also explore options, such as selling the home or one of you buying the other out.
2. Child arrangements
Child arrangements often sit at the heart of family mediation. You can agree short-term, medium-term and long-term plans, so your children know what to expect. For example, you can decide how you share school holidays and how you handle travel abroad. In addition, you can agree how a new partner, if you have one, will meet and spend time with the children. Because every family is different, your plan can reflect your own situation.
3. Maintenance
Maintenance is another common topic. Depending on your circumstances, you may agree child maintenance, spousal maintenance or neither. Your mediator helps you look at income, costs and needs. Consequently, you can find a figure that works for both of you.
4. A signed memorandum of understanding
At the end of mediation, you normally sign a memorandum of understanding. This document records what you have agreed. However, it is not legally binding on its own. Therefore, many people take it to a solicitor, who can help turn the financial parts into a legally binding court order.
5. Inheritance disputes
Mediation does not only help couples. It also helps families who disagree about an inheritance, such as siblings who dispute a parent’s estate. Instead of heading to court, you can talk through the issues and agree a way forward. In many cases, this approach protects family relationships and saves time.
What happens after mediation and what agreements can be made?
After your final session, your mediator prepares your memorandum of understanding. Next, you both read it carefully. If you wish, you can then take independent legal advice and ask a solicitor to make your financial agreement legally binding. Meanwhile, your child arrangements can start straight away. Later, you can review them as your children grow and your circumstances change.
Why choose Family Mediation Services?
Family Mediation Services helps separating families reach agreements without the stress of court. Our accredited mediators stay neutral, so they never take sides or make decisions for you. Instead, they help you and your former partner find solutions that work. As a result, you keep control of the outcome.
So, what kind of agreements come out of mediation? In summary, you can agree on finances, child arrangements, maintenance and inheritance. Finally, you record your decisions in a signed memorandum of understanding and move forward with confidence.
Ready to take the next step?
Family Mediation Services is here to help. Call us on 0300 365 2700 or email at admin@familymediationservices.co.uk to arrange your first meeting with an accredited mediator.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, not on its own. However, a solicitor can turn your financial agreement into a legally binding court order. For child arrangements, you and your co-parent usually follow a written plan and review it as needed.
A memorandum of understanding is a signed summary of what you agreed in mediation. It records the key points about your finances and children. Although it is not legally binding, your solicitor can use it to draft the formal documents.
Yes, it can. You can agree how you share school holidays and how you handle travel abroad. In addition, you can plan for short-term, medium-term and long-term changes.
You and your former partner decide. Your accredited mediator stays neutral and guides the conversation, but never makes decisions for you.
Yes. Mediation helps siblings and other relatives talk through disagreements about an estate. As a result, many families avoid the cost and stress of court.
Your mediator offers neutral guidance, not legal advice. Therefore, many people also see a solicitor, who can check the agreement and make it legally binding.
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