Annabelle rang Family Matters to ask about coming to mediation to talk about and decide what would happen about finances.
She and Paul had separated two years ago and could not afford to go to solicitors to divorce and sort the finances out . She was living in the house with the children, Paul had moved out and was living in rented accommodation. They were in a lot of debt. They owned the house together and Paul wanted to buy his own place.
Annabelle worked as a care assistant and didn’t think she was eligible for legal aid. The Family Matters team looked at her income, which included Universal Credit, and how much money was in the house. Annabelle sent in a screen shot of her most recent UC payment. She was eligible for legal aid.
The legal aid agency paid for all her mediation and the writing of the court orders once she and Paul agreed.
Paul and Annabelle came to three sessions of mediation and reached agreement about everything.
