How can family mediation help sort out arrangements for property and finance?

As part of the process of divorce all finances and property arrangements need to be sorted out for the future.

Both parties are required by law to disclose full details of their financial position. The process of gathering together this information can be carried out as part of mediation, even if you don't reach final proposals. This information can then be transformed to a Form E, the court document required to accompany divorce papers.

We can help you discuss and draw up your proposals for the division of the family assets and liabilities. Meeting face to face can save time and effort.

In brief, there are three stages to dealing with property and finance:

First, there is the full disclosure of all the assets and liabilities of the parties. We also look at income and the needs of each party.

Second, we look at the options available and examine how they would work in practice.

Finally, we take the favoured option and draw up proposals for the division and allocation of the assets and liabilities. At this stage clients often wish to take a draft of the outline proposals to talk these through with a legal adviser before the final versions of the proposals are drawn up. This makes it much more straightforward if you wish your proposals subsequently to be given legal effect.

In the course of discussing your options we will look at the best ways of dealing with property, pensions and all savings and investments. We look at mortgages, loans and other borrowings and can also look at child or spousal maintenance.

At any point in mediation your mediator may suggest you seek specialist professional advice or information to help you make informed decisions, as would be the case if you were consulting a solicitor.

The more information you have the easier it will be to make informed decisions for your future.