Separating and divorcing can be one of the most traumatic events in people’s lives.

How they choose to divorce can affect them and their children and even, their children’s children in very traumatic ways, if not managed carefully.

At Compass Resolution Aylesbury we believe that separating couples are almost always best served by seeing a mediator first before things get out of hand.

Couples in Aylesbury going through separation and divorce are well served by family mediator organisations in the area but the challenge is not whether there are enough mediators but the fact that far too many separating couples are unaware and ill-informed about the availability of mediation, what mediators do and when to see a mediator despite a massive National Government campaign.

We would recommend that, as soon as one of the couple has decided that the relationship is at an end, they should meet with a mediator to explore their options  and find out all about mediation and how it can help. These meetings are called mediation information and assessment meetings or MIAMs .

So, see a mediator as soon as possible. Why?

Managing separation and the emotions involved can be one of the most difficult times in a person’s life. It can be very scary leaving a person feeling confused, anxious and very vulnerable wanting someone on their side, ‘fighting their corner’. This is of course why, at this point, people often go to see a solicitor to find out about their rights.

What is actually needed is someone neutral who is able to diffuse the whole situation, explain all the options and help the separating couple to sort things out together, such as their finances and child arrangements, in a very carefully managed and informed way, whilst keeping a tight control over their costs.

This might sound like a ‘tall order’ given the amount of negative emotion that often surrounds separation but that is what mediators do, day in day out, in some very conflictual situations.

So, although it might sound like a difficult, if not impossible task, find out from our mediator in Aylesbury how we work, what is involved and have a look at our range of video support including preparing for mediation, what do mediators do, what is mediation and what is a MIAM BEFORE you decide how to manage your separation and divorce.