Family Mediation Awareness Week January 2022

Parents living in Oxfordshire who have decided to separate or divorce in 2023 are being urged to find out how to avoid courtroom confrontation to settle money and parenting arrangements, with the launch of Family Mediation Week, 16 – 20 January.

January usually sees a dramatic rise in the number of parents deciding to live apart as the various pressures that go hand-in-hand with the Christmas period act as a final straw for relationships.

Ruth Hawkins, a partner  and mediator at Boardman, Hawkins and Osborne LLP which serves Abingdon and Oxfordshire says “Family Mediation Week is designed to raise awareness of the benefits of family mediation, a process that can help separated or separating couples or parents agree what works for them, whilst avoiding the court process with all the stress, delay and cost it can bring.”

Karen Newman, a Consultant Solicitor, mediator and collaborative lawyer, at Boardman, Hawkins and Osborne LLP explained: “Many parents emerge from the festive period feeling defeated by the pressures on relationships and finances that have been highlighted during the holiday period.

We find parents in this position simply don’t know which way to turn. Their life-changing decision to separate brings with it so many tough questions:

• Who lives where?
• Where will the children live, and how will we make sure we each spend time with them?
• How will we sort money?
• What about debts and pensions?
• And even the family dog?

Karen continues “Family Mediation Week shines a helpful spotlight on these tricky issues, offering separating parents information about their options as they look to make arrangements for parenting, property and finance.

Ruth points out “Family mediation is a process where an independent, professionally-trained mediator helps you work these things out, enabling you to avoid courtroom confrontation. Professional mediators help empower you to create long-term solutions for your particular circumstances, rather than leaving it to a court to make decisions for your family.”

Boardman, Hawkins and Osborne LLP will be offering a free initial telephone consultation to explore mediation as an option to resolve disputes during Family Mediation Awareness week.

Anyone wanting to know more about the benefits of family mediation can visit www.bholegal.co.uk.

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