At Family and Finance Mediation 1st, we understand that when a relationship ends, especially amidst high conflict, navigating the financial implications can feel like an huge challenge. You might be wondering how mediation can possibly help you reach a financial agreement that you are both settled with in such difficult circumstances. The answer lies in its unique and constructive approach.
More Than Just Numbers: Talking Through Finances and Futures
Family and Finance mediation provides a dedicated space where you and your former partner can discuss the practicalities of your financial separation – including significant assets like the house and pensions – alongside crucial aspects like child maintenance, ongoing support, and spousal maintenance. Importantly, it also allows for the airing of the emotional difficulties that often complicate these discussions in high conflict situations.
Our experienced family mediators are skilled at guiding these tough conversations. We help you both to explore your individual needs and future security while keeping the bigger picture in mind. This is crucial because reaching a fair and sustainable financial settlement is a cornerstone of building separate futures and, where relevant, ensuring the ongoing well-being of your children.
Reflecting and Rebuilding Financial Dialogue
A key element of financial mediation involves helping you and your former partner reflect on past communication around money and identify what hasn’t worked. More importantly, we focus on establishing a better way to discuss and agree on financial matters moving forward. Our mediators help establish clear ground rules for these sensitive discussions, facilitating conversations that might previously have led to deadlock or escalation.
We foster a respectful environment, encouraging you to understand each other’s perspectives and financial needs. In mediation, we uphold the principle that while you may have differing priorities, finding common ground and workable compromises is achievable. This structured approach can break down entrenched positions and pave the way for mutually acceptable financial settlements.
Understanding Different Approaches to Financial Discussions
Sometimes, conflict in financial negotiations stems from different communication styles and approaches to managing disagreements about money. In mediation, our family and finance mediators are adept at recognising these differences. For instance, one person might be more cautious and need time to process complex financial information, while the other might prefer a more direct and immediate approach to decision-making.
By helping you both understand these contrasting styles, mediation can ease tensions and prevent misunderstandings. It allows for a more tailored approach where, for example, someone needing more time isn’t rushed, and someone seeking clarity receives timely responses. Recognising these differences facilitates a more productive and less confrontational dialogue, increasing the likelihood of reaching a fair financial agreement.
The image below demonstrates how individuals can come to the table with different tendencies.
The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (https://www.bitesizelearning.co.uk/resources/thomas-kilmann-conflict-model)
Securing Your Children’s Future: A Shared Financial Responsibility Through Mediation
It’s vital to remember that agreeing on financial arrangements, including child maintenance and ongoing support, directly impacts the well-being and security of your children. Research consistently shows that ongoing parental conflict, often exacerbated by financial disputes, can negatively affect children’s emotional and academic development.
Mediation provides a constructive platform to address these crucial financial obligations in a way that prioritises your children’s needs. Even when trust has broken down, the shared goal of providing for your children can be a powerful motivator for reaching agreement on financial support. Our mediators actively work to highlight this common ground and facilitate financial solutions that serve the best interests of your children.
If you’re facing high conflict and struggling to agree on financial matters during separation, remember that family mediation at Family and Finance Mediation 1st offers a supportive and structured environment to help you find a better path forward. We focus on facilitating clear communication and exploring creative solutions to reach positive financial settlements regarding your house, pensions, child maintenance, ongoing support, spousal maintenance, and more, ultimately building a more secure future for you and your children.
If you’re considering family mediation for your financial arrangements, or just want to understand your options better, we’re here to help. Get in touch with Family and Finance Mediation 1st by calling us at 0330 33 22 488 or emailing familyandfinancemediationfirst.co.uk
Article Written by Nicola Watling – Family Mediator
