Fair. Practical. Future Focused.
FINANCIAL MEDIATION
Separation often means making important financial decisions about your home, savings, pensions and future security.
Financial mediation provides a safe, structured environment where you can explore your options together with the support of an experienced, impartial family mediator.
Rather than asking a judge to make decisions for you, mediation helps you reach practical agreements that work for your family while saving time, reducing stress and often avoiding the cost of court proceedings.
Fair Financial Discussions
Property, Pensions & Assets
Impartial Guidance
Clear Documentation
Work together to explore practical financial arrangements that take account of both people’s needs.
Discuss your home, savings, pensions, debts and other financial matters in one place.
Your mediator supports productive conversations without taking sides or giving legal advice.
If you reach agreement, we'll prepare the documents you solicitor needs to make your agreement legally binding.
How Financial Mediation Works
Book Your
MIAM
We'll explain the mediation process, answer your questions and assess whether mediation
is suitable for your circumstances.
Share Financial Information
Both people provide information about their finances so
discussions are based on a full and transparent understanding of the circumstances.
Explore Your Options
With the support of your mediator, you'll discuss
possible solutions and work towards practical financial arrangements that meet your family's needs.
Record Your Agreements
If agreement is reached, we'll prepare your Memorandum of Understanding. Your solicitor can then use this to prepare a
Consent Order if appropriate.
What can Financial Mediation help with?
Financial mediation can help you discuss and reach agreements about almost every financial aspect of separation, including:
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The family home
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Savings and investments
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Pensions
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Debts and loans
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Vehicles and other valuable assets
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Spousal maintenance
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Financial arrangements for children
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Future financial planning
Every family's circumstances are different. Your mediator will help you explore the options available so you can make informed decisions together.
Financial Disclosure
For mediation to be effective, it’s important that both people provide complete and accurate information about their finances. This process is known as financial disclosure.
Sharing information openly helps ensure that any discussions and agreements are based on a clear understanding of both people's financial circumstances.
Your mediator will guide you through the information that is usually required and will prepare an Open Financial Statement, which records the financial information exchanged during mediation.
Being open and transparent helps build trust and gives you the best opportunity of reaching fair and lasting agreements.
Why Choose Financial Mediation
Usually more affordable than court
Resolving financial matters through mediation is often significantly less expensive than contested court proceedings.
Stay in
control
You make the decisions about your future instead of asking a judge to decide for you.
Move forward sooner
Mediation can usually begin much sooner than waiting for a court hearing, helping you move on with your life.
Build lasting agreements
Because decisions are
reached together
agreements are often more practical, sustainable and easier to follow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is financial mediation?
Financial mediation is a voluntary process where an impartial family mediator helps separating couples discuss and reach agreements about their finances. This can include decisions about property, savings, pensions, debts and future financial arrangements. The mediator does not make decisions but helps you explore options and work towards practical agreements together.
Do we both have to disclose our finances?
Yes. Financial mediation works best when both people provide full and honest financial information. This helps ensure that discussions are based on a clear understanding of each person's financial circumstances and gives you the best opportunity of reaching fair and informed agreements.
What happens to pensions during mediation?
Pensions are often one of the most valuable financial assets within a relationship. Mediation provides a space to discuss how pensions should be considered alongside other assets when reaching an overall financial agreement. You can also seek independent legal or financial advice alongside mediation if needed.
What financial issues can mediation help with?
Financial mediation can help you discuss:
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The family home
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Savings and investments
-
Pensions
-
Debts and loans
-
Spousal maintenance
-
Financial arrangements for children
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Businesses and other assets
Every family's circumstances are different, and mediation allows you to focus on the issues that matter most to you.
Can mediation help if we own a house together?
Yes. Many couples use mediation to discuss what should happen to the family home. This might include selling the property, transferring ownership, buying one person out or exploring other practical options that meet both of your needs.
How long does financial mediation take?
Every family is different. Some people reach agreement in two or three sessions, while more complex financial matters may require additional meetings. Your mediator will work at a pace that allows both of you to make informed decisions.
Can we still use solicitors?
Absolutely. Mediation and legal advice work well together. Many people choose to obtain independent legal advice before making any final decisions or before asking a solicitor to prepare a Consent Order.
Is financial mediation legally binding?
Proposals discussed during mediation and the Memorandum of Understanding are not legally binding. The Open Financial Statement is an open document recording the financial information exchanged. If you reach agreement, you can obtain independent legal advice and a solicitor can prepare a consent order for approval by the court.
What happens if we can't reach agreement?
Not every mediation ends with a full agreement, but mediation often helps narrow the issues, improve communication and identify areas where agreement is possible. Even partial agreements can save time, reduce legal costs and make any future court proceedings more focused.
Can I get Legal Aid for financial mediation?
If you are financially eligible, Legal Aid may cover the cost of your MIAM and mediation sessions. In some circumstances, it may also pay for the other person's MIAM even if they are not eligible themselves. We can help you check whether you qualify.