Divorce often comes as a nasty surprise to previously happy parents. There may have been a long build-up, but when the reality hits, it hits hard and not only affects the lives of the couple, but also the lives of the children and all extended family members. Very few parents want anything other than the
Category: Mediation
When Mediation May Not Be Right For You
At Grant Stephens Family Law in Cardiff we do everything we can to keep people out of the family law courts and push for either mediation or collaborative law instead. The benefits of using mediation as a means for sorting out the terms of divorce are huge, but unfortunately mediation is not for every couple.
Will mediation guarantee me a fair divorce settlement?
Mediation is a means of talking with your partner in the presence of a mediator, an independent professional. It is not counselling or marriage guidance which is more emotion/relationship based, but focuses on resolving disputes regarding your children, home, finances or any outstanding legal practicalities that are preventing you from moving forward. It is usually
Who gets the dog when we divorce?
While there is a lot of emphasis on finances and children during divorce cases, the one thing that can tip divorcing couples over the edge is deciding on who gets to keep the beloved family pets. Who gets the dog (or cat, or hamster) during a divorce is a very contentious issue and there are
Why Mediation Helps To Resolve Conflict
Other than in a few exceptional cases divorce always involves conflict. As people separate they both have to start looking after their own interests while they are dividing up their assets and this, naturally, will result in disagreements. Many couples are convinced that if they go before a court a judge will resolve all their
How to convince your ex that mediation is best
It is now compulsory for most divorcing couples to attempt mediation before they can use the family law courts to settle the terms of their divorce. However, your ex may be dead-set against mediation and either work the system to go straight to the courts, or to deliberately sabotage the compulsory mediation. If you do
Why the divorce settlement is just the first step for parents and what to do about it
If you have children and you are going through a divorce then you will be having a tough time. Trying to work out how you will supporting yourself financially, how much of your income you will have to give away, how much of your ex’s income you will gain and how and when you will
Use Mediation To Aid Communication
Mediation is becoming more and more common for divorcing couples who are seeking an alternative to the divorce courts. Mediation has a number of benefits, including reduced costs, more control and being able to go at your own pace. However, the greatest benefit that mediation brings is opening up communication between you and your ex.
Why Mediation Can Improve Your Life In The Long Term
Ending a marriage and facing a divorce is a very emotional time. It can cause even the gentlest and most level-headed of people to become angry, bitter and highly stressed. No matter the circumstances of your divorce, you will need to be prepared for a full range of emotions. It is common and understandable for
Why one spouse won't want the divorce
More often than not couples arrive at the decision to divorce together. Marriages breakdown for all sorts of reasons, infidelity being just one. Whatever the reason often both parties can see it coming. The spouse who has cheated may not want to divorce, but after everything has come to light they may see it as
Why mediation can be better for children
The main concern of every parent at the outset of a divorce is for their children. How will a divorce affect their children? Will their education suffer? Will they be emotionally damaged? Will the other parent stop me from seeing them? How will I support them? Being a parent is worrying enough, but when the
Avoiding The Divorce Circus
During a divorce there will be arguments, there will be bitterness, there will be regrets, but there is no need to turn the whole thing into a circus. You can avoid the screaming, public arguments and breakdowns, you can stay out the courts and you can keep your mutual friends. Acceptance Acceptance is the first
How to make the most of mediation
For most people divorce is an unknown and unfamiliar process. No matter how much reading you do on the subject you can not prepare yourself for the process. As divorce lawyers we know that every couple is different and that family law can throw up all sorts of surprises and unique situations. There is a
How To Initiate A Divorce With Your Spouse
There may be no right way to tell your spouse that you wish to divorce. However, there are plenty of ways that should be avoided. It will never be an easy thing to be the first person to mention the ‘D’ word but there are a few steps that you can take that will make
Reduce Divorce Costs With Mediation
The emotional toil of going through the divorce process is stressful enough, but for many people the stress can be made much worse by the financial burden. Spiralling court costs and not knowing how much it will all come too can be terrifying for those who do not have enough means to fight their battles
How mediation can help with extended family
We have mentioned before how family courts can help reunite estranged grandchildren with their grandparents, but as with all family law matters it is best to avoid the courts altogether and work through the problems with the assistance of a family mediator. Grant Stephens Family Law in Cardiff offers a family mediation service and we
Why Choosing The Right Mediator Matters
Since the changes that took place following the implementation of the Family Procedure Rules 2014 making it compulsory for separating and/or divorcing couples to attend an information meeting about mediation before any court action can be considered, there have been many articles explaining what mediation is. There is not however much information available to people
How To Choose A Divorce Mediator
Grant Stephens Family Law in Cardiff offers a divorce mediation service for Cardiff and surrounding areas, including Blackwood, Caerphilly and Pontypridd. Mediation is a very useful and sometimes compulsory tool for divorcing couples. It empowers both parties to reach an amicable and fair agreement on financial and family issues. It is much less stressful than going
