Shaun and Alicia came to mediation after going through the court process for two years. They both had solicitor bills that they were worried about. Alicia had changed solicitor recently and they had suggested trying mediation. Alicia was very doubtful mediation would help but came to her initial information meeting and said:
“I immediately felt better and felt that I knew more about what was going to happen.”
Shaun came to his initial meeting very worried about spending more money but was reassured to know that the government will contribute up to £500 towards the cost of mediation. He said:
“It was a massive relief to hear that there was money towards the cost of mediation about the kids. I’m really worried about how this is affecting them”.
Shaun and Alicia came to four sessions of mediation over a six-month period. They agreed an arrangement for the children, Nick aged six and Emily aged 2, which worked for everyone. They agreed a division of their finances which meant each person was able to start their separate life.
Alicia said:
“Sometimes it was hard to stop myself going backwards and focussing on what I thought he had done to me and the children, but the mediator helped us to keep on track and not go back over old arguments”
Shaun said:
“The time between the meetings helped because it gave me time to think, try out a different arrangement for the kids and get together the financial stuff. With the help of the mediator, we came away with an arrangement neither of us had come up with before.”
Alicia said in her feedback to the mediator:
“Thank you for your support during the mediation process. Obviously, this is a difficult time for us, and emotions run high at times, but you have been a positive, calming influence throughout and very supportive. If we had continued with solicitors I think it would have taken much longer and been more acrimonious, destructive and costly – both financially and emotionally. The legal process is designed to tear you apart, whereas in mediation we have achieved a compromise solution that we can both live with, enabling us to move forward positively for ourselves and our children….thank you!”
Shaun said:
“It was a big help. Thanks”
