Family Mediation Services
Family Mediation: A Different Approach to a Divorce Lawyer...
Save Time
Save Money
Avoid Court
Reduce Stress
We understand how busy life can be...
Evening and Weekend Appointments
Online sessions
Contact Amanda now for a FREE and confidential talk.
"Hi, I'm Amanda. I have over 25 years of experience as a Divorce Lawyer. I have now started a Family Mediation service because I passionately believe that it's a better way of getting divorced and resolving both financial and children's matters."
Fill out this simple form and Amanda will be in touch shortly...
“I really felt you made a real difference to our situation and would not hesitate to recommend you”
Anne
“We are so glad we chose family mediation and you, this enabled us to resolve matters more quickly and helped us save money”
David
6 Weeks avg
Family Mediation
vs
1 Year avg
Court Application for Finances and/or Children
What is Family Mediation?
Let's quickly outline what it's not. Family Mediation is not the same as a Divorce Lawyer or a form of marriage counselling.
Voluntary
Family Mediation is not required by law. Sometimes a Divorce Lawyer or Judge may refer you to a Family Mediator. However, it is up to you and your partner on how you achieve a divorce or separation.
Child Focused
Family Mediation is a fantastic choice if you have children. It focuses on a fair and positive outcome and puts the child's needs first.
Impartial
Mediators are impartial. The mediator does not take sides and is always there for both of you.
Confidential
All information is kept confidential and secure. We strictly follow UK GDPR law and UK legislation. The only time we will ever share information is when required by law.
Inclusive
Family Mediation is inclusive of all. We have assisted in many same sex marriages and civil partnerships. The process is exactly the same and we welcome everyone with open arms, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, religion or sexual preference.
Sympathetic
Amanda has been a Family Lawyer for over 25 years. She distinguished herself as a go-to lawyer because she really cares about her clients and only wants the best for them. Amanda will be there to help you through the tears and fears of divorce.
Get Started For Free
Fill out our simple form and Amanda will be in touch shortly to arrange a free phone call.
Frequently Asked Questions...
Still unsure if Family Mediation is a better alternative to a Divorce Lawyer? Here are some frequently asked questions that might help you decide. Don't forget; if you have any questions Amanda will be happy to answer them during a free one-to-one chat.
Fill out one of the forms on this page and Amanda will arrange to call you at a time that suites you. The call is totally free and Amanda will answer any questions you may have.
Either of you can stop the mediation process at any time; mediation will only go ahead if both of you want it to. Mediators are impartial. The mediator does not take sides and is always there for both of you. Mediators don’t give advice, although they do provide information about legal principles and explain some of the things you should be thinking about.The mediator doesn’t ever make any decisions for you; you work out between you what proposals you think you would like to take to lawyers so that you can get advice and help before deciding to turn your proposals into a legally binding agreement.
Unlike going to court or arbitration, family mediation recognises that you are the experts about your own family and leaves the decision-making to you.Unlike negotiating through your lawyers, family mediation allows you to speak directly to each other so that you can both explain what you are feeling and what is most important to you. It also lets you focus on the things that matter to you as a family.
In family mediation, you usually negotiate face to face with your partner about arrangements that need to be made for the future, with the help of one or two neutral third parties – the mediator or mediators.The information clients share with the mediator is kept confidential, with some minimal exceptions (similar to the exceptions that apply to lawyers and therapists and counsellors). Proposals put forward during mediation cannot be referred to in court proceedings. If you try mediation, but it doesn’t work, the court will never be told why it wasn’t successful.
After signing the agreement to mediate, both of you will work with the mediator to:
- Explain your family situation.
- Set the mediation agenda. The mediation sessions are tailored around what you want and need to discuss.
- Agree on the issues that you need to discuss.
- Decide the priority of the issues. Some issues are more pressing than others and need to be resolved first, e.g., short-term financial support, holidays, contact.
- Set time scales to deal with some issues, e.g., for separation or divorce.
- Clarify the issues: sometimes it is not clear what matters are really in dispute and clarifying these avoid future misunderstanding.
- Consider whether any other specialists might be able to help you.
- Find common ground.
- Provide/obtain information, e.g., complete a financial questionnaire or have a form explained to you. If you have financial issues to discuss, it is particularly important to make sure everyone has a clear picture of the family’s financial situation. This involves each of you providing details about any property you own, and your income and expenditure, very much as you have to if you go to court.
- Look at the various options and reality test those options. When there are financial issues, you will need to consider what everyone in the family needs, especially the children.
- Arrive at the option that best suits both of you and work out the details of your proposals.
A Mediation Information Assessment Meeting is a meeting with a specially qualified family mediator, who will explain to you the alternatives to the court process. Most divorcing and separating couples in England and Wales who want to use the court process to resolve any questions about children or money have to show that they have attended a MIAM before they can apply for a court order.
The purpose of the meeting is to allow you to find out whether going to court would be the best way of resolving the issues surrounding your relationship or marriage breakdown (e.g. children, property and financial matters). In particular, whether mediation could be an effective alternative.
At a MIAM, you will meet with a qualified family mediator and discuss your situation on a confidential basis. Usually, this is a one to one meeting.The mediator will provide information about options available to you to resolve the issues around your separation and will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each option. The mediator will also ask questions and assess whether mediation is a suitable way forward in your circumstances.
The purpose of the meeting is to allow you to find out whether going to court would be the best way of resolving the issues surrounding your relationship or marriage breakdown (e.g. children, property and financial matters). In particular, whether mediation could be an effective alternative.
At a MIAM, you will meet with a qualified family mediator and discuss your situation on a confidential basis. Usually, this is a one to one meeting.The mediator will provide information about options available to you to resolve the issues around your separation and will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each option. The mediator will also ask questions and assess whether mediation is a suitable way forward in your circumstances.
Meet Amanda...
Amanda lives with her husband, Richard in the New Forest, where she regularly walks and cycles. She has recently taken up beekeeping and owns an apiary of 3 hives – so please feel free to ask her about the honey for sale and natural bees wax food wraps.
Amanda Trappes-Lomax FCILEx
Director & Consultant
Fill out our 30 second form and Amanda will get back to you very soon...
Copyright New Horizon Family Mediation 2020
Cookie Policy | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions