Family Mediation Week 2023: Separating parents urged to avoid courtroom conflict

Parents living in Hull and East Yorkshire who have decided to separate or divorce in 2023 are being urged to find out how to avoid courtroom confrontation during Family Mediation Week.

January usually sees a dramatic rise in the number of parents deciding to live apart, bringing with it complex issues to resolve such as financial and parenting arrangements.

Family Mediation Week runs from Monday 16^th January to Friday 20^th January, and is designed to raise awareness of the benefits of family mediation, a process that can help ex-partners agree what works for them whilst avoiding the court process and all the stress, delay and cost it can bring.

Liz Morris, Accredited Family Mediator at Hamers, said: “This is a fantastic event promoting the huge benefits that family mediation can offer separating couples and parents.

“If you feel that mediation would assist you to find a fast, cost effective solution to your family issues, or are interested to find out more, please do get in touch.”

Divorce or separation brings with it a number of difficult questions for couples, including:

• Who lives where?
• Where will the children live, and how will we make sure we each spend time with them?
• How will we sort money?
• What about debts and pensions?
• And even the family dog?

Family Mediation Week shines a helpful spotlight on these tricky issues, offering separating parents information about their options as they look to make arrangements for parenting, property and finance.

“Family mediation is a process where an independent, professionally-trained mediator helps you work these things out, enabling you to avoid courtroom confrontation. Professional mediators help empower you to create long-term solutions for your particular circumstances, rather than leaving it to a court to make decisions for your family.”

Hamers is also taking part in the Ministry of Justice’s Family Mediation Voucher Scheme, which meets up to £500 of mediation costs for families if they need to discuss arrangements for children.

Legal Aid remains available for family mediation.

• For advice and support on any mediation or family issues, please contact Elizabeth Morris on 01482 639637 or via emorris@hamers.com.