Family Mediation (Please see our dedicated Family Mediation Website at www.corkfamilymediation.ie )
What is Family Mediation?
Family mediation is a confidential process in which a trained family mediator helps separating couples to discuss and negotiate all issues surrounding their separation or divorce. Family mediation is suitable for all couples, whether married or unmarried, with or without children.
Research shows that mediation improves communication and helps people make plans for the future. These plans may include living, parenting and financial arrangements. In particular it can help children maintain their family relationships.
Family mediation provides a safe environment, helping to minimise conflict between partners and improve chances of long-term co-operation, dramatically reducing the human and financial cost of separation.
What Can Mediation Provide?
- A safe, neutral environment in which to discuss issues
- Impartiality
- An organised and constructive process
- Opportunities to explore options
- A lasting agreement
Child Centred
Mediation supports parents’ on-going positive relationships with their children. When necessary, an effective co-parenting partnership plan is created, which is specifically tailored to provide long-term benefits to children and their parents. The Mediator can help parents focus on their children’s needs and tease out arrangements that will work for the whole family.
Time
Research has shown that most couples reach a mediated agreement in a third of the time it would take if negotiated through the legal process. The majority of mediations are concluded in four to six sessions, each lasting approximately
one and a half hours. Occasionally, a family will have very complex finances or very high conflict and disagreement – in such instances the mediation could last longer.
Agreements
Full Agreement - The mediator will put together a document setting out the terms of the agreement in writing. Many couples take this agreement to their solicitors to legally formalise their separation or divorce.
Partial Agreement - Where parties choose the mediation process to negotiate a specific matter or where agreement is only reached on some issues, these agreements can be recorded for inclusion in a final legal settlement. While mediation may not always result in an agreement between parties, it provides an opportunity for issues to be identified and clarified.
How can “Round Table” help?
Round Table offers a specialist family mediation service working in areas of separation/divorce, parenting, inter/intra-familial disputes and disputes involving property and wills. Round Table also offers specialist services in workplace mediation, mediation training, workplace investigation and conflict management. For further details, please contact any member of our Management Team