Evolve Family Mediation

11/07/2022

Introducing a new partner

Managing the introduction of a new partner to a child after separating may be daunting. Any new introductions should be handled sensitively and in a manner that focuses on how children will cope with this new transition.

Rather than rushing ahead with the meeting, it is important to discuss with your former partner how you will manage the new introduction.

It is important to remember that children may need more time than you before such an introduction is made. Your new partner may also have children and that is another situation you should consider.

The best advice is to seek agreement on a plan of action with the other parent, as not involving them may lead to tension as well as a breakdown in trust. If the other parent is seeking to introduce their new partner, always try to keep an open mind.

For more information and support, please visit:
https://www.evolvefamilymediation.co.uk

Evolve Family Mediation is a bespoke family mediation service based in Watford, Hertfordshire. We are committed to putting you and your children first.

07/07/2022

How effective co-parenting could look

Separating or going through a divorce is one of life’s most challenging times. Attempting to have a healthy co-parenting relationship with your former partner can be difficult once you have decided to separate.

An effective co-parenting relationship is when both parents are consistent and can come to an agreement regarding behaviour and discipline, bedtimes, playtime and household chores. However, if your parenting styles were different before you separated, it is unlikely that you will be on the same page straight away.

It is important not to get into parenting debates over every decision. If you can trust that both of you are devoted to raising your kids in a healthy and supportive environment, you should try to avoid micromanaging each other’s day-to-day parenting style.

If you have difficulties in your co-parenting relationship with your former partner, family mediation can be of real benefit.

For more information and support, please visit:
https://www.evolvefamilymediation.co.uk
-parenting

Evolve Family Mediation is a bespoke family mediation service based in Watford, Hertfordshire. We are committed to putting you and your children first.

06/07/2022

Child behaviour after divorce

After a separation or divorce, it is common for children to display behavioural changes. Even under the best circumstances, a child’s behaviour and emotions may change frequently.

Depending on a child's age and other factors, they may not always understand why their parents are separating, resulting in emotions that may manifest in behavioural changes.

If possible, you should try keep an active dialogue going with your co-parent regarding behavioural changes. Recognising your child's different reactions to various situations is essential for providing them with the right help and support.

Communicating with your child and allowing them to speak freely about their feelings, can help them better understand that their behaviour may be tied to their emotions.

A family mediator can help you to communicate about any issues that you have of concern about your child if you are finding it difficult to speak to your co-parent. In appropriate circumstances your child can also be included in the mediation process giving them the opportunity to speak confidentially to an independent and neutral third party. Feedback from that meeting can help you to put together a parenting plan that best meets their needs and concerns.

For more information and support, please visit:
https://www.evolvefamilymediation.co.uk

Evolve Family Mediation is a bespoke family mediation service based in Watford, Hertfordshire. We are committed to putting you and your children first.

05/07/2022

How to manage handovers and communication with your co-parent

‘Handovers’ are when children are picked up from or dropped off to another co-parent. They may be one of the few times that you come face-to-face with your former partner, meaning that there is the potential for an uncomfortable situation to arise.

For your children, a handover can represent tension or conflict.

A parenting diary can be a straightforward way to ease communication between the two of you. The diary usually includes all the parenting issues that need communicating such as behaviour, school information, medical updates and bedtime routines etc. Passing the diary back and forth at the time of handover can help the situation run smoothly.

Developing a happy and relaxed handover is a process, not a success or a failure situation. If a handover is fraught with tension, put yourself in your child's shoes:-

How does it look to them?
How will they look back on it when they are older?
Will they be able to say, that even though you are separating you put their needs and feelings at the forefront of your actions?

Handovers are not easy, but making them easy for your children will have a significant positive impact on their lives.

In mediation you can discuss how to handle handovers as well as all other issues relating to how you co-parent your children through, and after your separation.

Zoom's secure, reliable video platform powers all of your communication needs, including meetings, chat, phone, webinars, and online events.

16/06/2022

Family separation can be a daunting process because there is an element of the unknown. When things are unknown, we often do not know how we will cope or respond.
It is important that once the decision has been made to separate, you plan on how you will aim to navigate this journey by seeking further information and advice.
Consider putting in place a support team who will be on hand to offer advice, such as family or friends, a family mediator and potentially a therapist.
With a team in place, you are likely to feel much stronger and prepared when moving forward.
As a family mediator, I can help recommend other professional advisers who will complement your aims and priorities.
It is important to seek information about all your options, spending time researching and where appropriate, sharing information with your separated partner.
For more information or support, please visit:
https://www.evolvefamilymediation.co.uk

Evolve Family Mediation is a bespoke family mediation service based in Watford, Hertfordshire. We are committed to putting you and your children first.

12/07/2021

I recently spoke at an online webinar hosted by James Evans at Our Family Wizard. I, together with and , discussed dispute resolution methods and the alternatives to court, including Child Inclusive Mediation, Early Neutral Evaluation and Arbitration.
We also covered the benefits of each method and why they may be more suitable to certain clients than others.
For those of you who would like to watch the online webinar, please follow the link below:-

https://landing.ourfamilywizard.com/en-gb/webinar-recording-non-court-dispute-resolution

At a time when courts are struggling to accommodate the Covid backlog and court proceedings are unaffordable for most, this presentation addresses how family professionals can work alongside the dispute resolution experts to help their clients achieve resolution and better quality outcomes through t...

22/06/2021

If you are struggling to make arrangements for your children following your divorce or separation, and need help with difficult conversations, now is a good time to consider mediation.

This is because The Ministry of Justice has developed a time limited mediation voucher scheme, whereby a contribution of up to £500 per case/family to the mediation costs of a child arrangements case will be offered. This is to encourage people to seek to resolve their disputes outside of court where appropriate to do so.
In mediation, unlike in court proceedings, you retain control over the decisions that need to be made. Mediation can help you to focus on what is best for your children, and is also far less stressful and much quicker than going to court.

Fro more information about Mediation and the Mediation Voucher Scheme please click on the link below:-

https://www.evolvefamilymediation.co.uk
https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk

Evolve Family Mediation is a bespoke family mediation service based in Watford, Hertfordshire. We are committed to putting you and your children first.

22/06/2021

The Bill and Melinda Gates divorce that has been playing out in the media is a prime example of a growing trend to settle issues outside of court.
Many couples are realising that agreements can be reached without the need for litigation.
These agreements allow divorcing couples to end the marriage in a constrictive way, without lengthy and costly litigation and in a way that retains privacy for all involved.
The desire to reach agreements through a dispute resolution process, is also driven by the increasing pressures and backlogs on courts during the pandemic and in many cases judges are actively promoting couples to seek alternative routes to resolve their issues through mediation or other dispute resolution processes.
There are now many options for couples to resolve their differences away from the court to the benefit of the whole family. Mediation is one of these options, and is appropriate for most disputes arising on divorce or separation.
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/may/07/gatess-divorce-reflects-uk-trend-to-settle-out-of-court-say-lawyers

Reported ‘separation contract’ of Bill and Melinda shows agreement can be reached without litigation

01/06/2021

I am looking forward to taking part in the free webinar with , and on Wednesday, June 2nd from 12- 1 pm.

We will be discussing the benefits of different methods of resolving family disputes outside of court, including Mediation, as well as Hybrid and Child Inclusive Mediation, Early Neutral Evaluation and Arbitration.

In addition to explaining the benefits of each approach for separating couples will speak about the role that has to play for separating parents making arrangements for their children.

To register for the event please click on the link below:-

https://events.ourfamilywizard.com/en-gb/en-gb/practising-noncourt-dispute-resolution

www.ourfamilywizard.co.uk
www.familydisputesolutions.co.uk

A fresh approach Get in touch Focussed on you And your family Get in touch Finding solutionsFor you and your family Get in touch Our Commitment Divorce, the dissolution of a civil partnership or separation often result in conflict and anxieties about finances and arrangements for children. It is imp...

26/05/2021

On June 2nd, I, together with, and , will be talking about non-court dispute resolution at an online webinar hosted by at https://www.ourfamilywizard.co.uk/.

We will be discussing how to take a solution-focused approach to support clients and their children and focusing on the advantages of handling dispute resolutions outside of the courts.

There are many drawbacks of heading to court such as a lack of time to deal with a case, and the lack of guarantee a case is going to be heard, all of which has been made worse by the global pandemic.

We will be examining the alternatives to court, why clients should seek alternative approaches such as Child Inclusive Mediation, Early Neutral Evaluation and Arbitration, and which methods may be more suitable for certain clients.

For further details and to register please click on the link below:-

https://events.ourfamilywizard.com/en-gb/en-gb/practising-noncourt-dispute-resolution

The OurFamilyWizard website, iOS and Android mobile apps help parents to manage shared parenting schedules and co-parenting information from separate homes.

19/05/2021

The Resolution National conference being held this week (Monday 17th – Friday 21st May), offers virtual networking sessions and professional development talks.

I will be speaking on the 19th at a ‘café session’ with Bindu Malkan from SA Law and, Peter Martin from OGR Stock Denton. The session will be discussing the various methods of dispute resolution including Mediation and Hybrid Mediation to Collaborative practice and Private FDRs.

We will also discuss the measures which should be considered when safeguarding our clients, and how we chose the right option for their individual needs.

https://resolution.org.uk/national-conference-2021/

18/05/2021

I am going to be presenting a ‘café session’ with Bindu Malkan from SA Law and, Peter Martin from OGR Stock Denton at the Resolution National conference on May 19th.

The online session will be focusing on the changing landscape of family law, and how we can best meet the diverse needs of our clients in a way that seeks to diffuse conflict and reach solutions outside of court, whilst also providing a supportive forum for our family professionals through training, the sharing of ideas and cross referrals.

https://resolution.org.uk/national-conference-2021/