Separating couples can avoid courtroom conflict as Family Mediation Week kicks off
Couples who have made the decision to separate are being invited to find out how they can avoid a courtroom confrontation to settle money, property and parenting issues, as a series of free webinars take place during Family Mediation Week 2025, Monday 27 to Friday 31 January.
Stephen Burke, Chair of The Family Mediation Council, which is organising the events, says: “Family Mediation Week raises awareness of the benefits of family mediation, a process that can help ex-partners agree what works for them, without the additional stress, cost and time of a courtroom conflict.
“The pressures that come with the festive period are often thought to act as a final straw for strained relationships, meaning January usually sees a rise in numbers of parents deciding to live apart.”
Their life-changing decision to separate brings with it so many tough questions:
- 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?
Full details of the free events taking place in Family Mediation Week are available here.
The aim of Family Mediation Week is to let more people know about family mediation and encourage separating couples to think about the process as a way of helping them take control, make decisions together and build a positive future for their family.
“Family mediation is a process where an independent, professionally-trained mediator helps you work things out together, enabling you to avoid courtroom confrontation and all the stress, delay and cost it can bring,” says Stephen Burke.
“Professional mediators help you to create long-term solutions for your particular circumstances, rather than leaving it to a court to make decisions for your family.”
Legal Aid and Family Mediation Vouchers remain available to help fund the cost of family mediation.