Hartnell Chanot: Divorce/Family Law Solicitors Exeter, Devon

Family Mediation

Mediation could save you thousands of pounds in legal costs.

Mediation is a confidential way for couples to arrive together at fair, long lasting arrangements, thus reducing the pain and trauma associated with separation or divorce.

With the help of an impartial mediator, or pair of mediators, couples can safely air their differences and constructively arrive at financial settlements and arrangements for children that they as a couple chosoe and work out, rather than having judges or lawyers making decisions for them.

Mediators do not give legal advice and do not represent individuals, although mediators can be solicitors or other professionals who deal with families. When proposals are reached by the couple, a summary is drawn up by the mediator(s) which each of the couple will take to the their own solicitor who will consider whether to turn it into a legally binding agreement, and also take care of any other legal formalities such as the divorce itself.

If you are eligible for public funding (formerly legal aid) then you maybe entitled to free mediation. Our solicitors can advise on the costs and benefits of mediation based on your individual situation; and we can  make referrals to mediation providers such as the Devon Family Solutions Ltd (formerly the Devon Family Mediation Agency).

Devon Family Solutions Ltd is based in Exeter and provides a range of services developed to assist those experiencing family change, to manage their arrangements for children, finances and communication in the context of legal proceedings.

Family Mediators, Psychologists and Counsellors offer support not only to those going through the Mediation process, but for anyone involved in family legal proceedings in the South West. These services are in addition to their Children’s Resource Worker, (Specialist Child Psychologist), who continues to offer a confidential opportunity for children to express their views when their parents are involved in Mediation.

• Mediation
  Designed to ease the process of separation and divorce, helping couples to arrive together at fair, long lasting arrangements. Mediators provide expert information but do not take sides or advise you; their role is to offer the opportunity to develop communication and reduce bitterness in order to make positive plans for the future.
• Children’s Resource Worker
  For parents who choose Mediation, separate confidential appointments can be offered to your children with a Children's Resource Worker, if both parents and the children wish to make use of this service. A session with the worker, who is an experienced Child Psychologist, is an opportunity for your child to express how they view their changed life circumstances in a confidential manner. Children’s views may be different to those held by either parent.

Support Services for Adults

• Psychology
  The DFSL Adult Support Services team provides clients with the opportunity (either individually or as a couple) to discuss particular issues in relation to their current family circumstances, particularly when clients have found communication difficult.
• Counselling
  Trained counsellors provide confidential impartial individual support and advice before, during, and after separation, to assist individuals to deal with the strong feelings they might be experiencing about their situation or the future.

For further information please download a Devon Family Solutions Leaflet or telephone 01392 454940