If you're separating, family mediation can help you make important decisions about your children, finances and future without unnecessary conflict or the cost and stress of going straight to court.
Annie Ives provides experienced, impartial family mediation, helping separating couples have constructive conversations and work towards practical agreements.
Practical,
Cost Effective,
Kinder Family Mediation
Based in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, with online mediation available across England and Wales.
Have you been Referred for a MIAM?
If your solicitor has advised you to attend a MIAM, or you need one before making an application to the Family Court, Annie can explain the process and arrange your individual appointment.
How can Family Mediation Help?
Family mediation helps separating couples work through the practical decisions that need to be made about children, finances, property and their future.
As an impartial family mediator, Annie helps both people discuss the issues that matter, understand each other's position and work towards practical agreements. Mediation can reduce conflict and provide an alternative to immediately turning to the court process.
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Annie offers MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings for clients considering mediation. These are conducted on an individual basis, remotely or in person. Attendance at a MIAM is necessary in nearly all cases when an application to court is being considered
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Annie works with separating parents in making practical and realistic arrangements for their children based on their best interests. She will always listen to both sides and take a neutral approach.
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If suitable Annie can talk directly with the children about what they want and feed back their wishes and feelings to their parents. Feedback takes place only with the children’s understanding and agreement
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Annie guides couples through property and financial matters, helping them understand their options and work toward fair agreements.
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Mediation for grandparents and other family members who want help maintaining relationships with children during or after family separation.
Not sure whether mediation can help with your situation?
Talk to Annie about what is happening and find out whether family mediation could be the right next step.
Annie is a fully accredited family mediator and a practising barrister.
Annie has had 30 years of experience as a barrister working in the world of family law, specifically cases relating to children, property and finance.
Her mediation service was established in 2015 and she combines her extensive knowledge of family law and the courts, with a sympathetic and realistic approach to problem solving for separating couples and their children.
About Annie Ives
Contact Annie
When you are ready to talk, Annie will meet you with understanding and guide you toward calm, practical solutions. It starts by making contact.
Enter your details on the form, or use one of these alternative contact methods:
Phone: 0774 009 7384
Email: annieives2@gmail.com
FAQs
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Family Mediation is a voluntary process where an impartial trained mediator helps separating couples communicate and reach their own agreements on issues such as child arrangements, finance and property, avoiding costly and stressful court battles by focusing on future solutions in a confidential environment.
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The first step is for both parties to attend a MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting). These meetings are generally held individually but if a specific request is made for the parties to attend together, this can be arranged. If both parties wish to engage in mediation the normal process is that these sessions will be joint. There are always options which can be arranged such as shuttle mediation for example such as parties attending the same session but in separate rooms.
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Decisions reached in mediation are not legally binding but can be made so by a straight forward application to the court.
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Yes, mediation is highly effective and recommended for helping parents agree on child arrangements. Offering a less stressful, cheaper and quicker way to decide on living situations, contact schedules and financial support rather than asking a court to decide for them.
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Yes. Annie has long experience in talking with children and sharing their thoughts with parents. This is usually offered to children aged ten and over, although younger children can sometimes be included if it suits their level of maturity and communication. Every child is different and this is always considered carefully.
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Money and property are primary subjects discussed in mediation. Particularly during separation or divorce proceedings. A neutral mediator helps you and your ex partner negotiate a fair agreement on how to divide your assets and liabilities without taking sides.
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Yes mediation can absolutely take place online. Often called remote or virtual mediation using online platforms like zoom or teams. It offers convenience and privacy from your own home. Mediators can use breakout rooms for private chats and sharing documents. Online mediation can provide flexible scheduling and can reduce travel time and costs.
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Everything discussed in mediation remains private and confidential. Information can only be disclosed to any 3rd party without the agreement of both parties and this includes the court.
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Mediation can still help. Many couples find that having a neutral impartial person in the discussion makes it easier. The process is always carefully managed so neither person feels overwhelmed.
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The number of sessions depends on the issues involved and also the complexity of the issues. Some parents are able to agree arrangements in one or two meetings. Complicated financial issues may need several sessions. Annie focuses on making progress rather than stretching the process out.
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Mediators cannot advise either person about what they should do, but they can give general legal information. Annie often explains how the law works in cases involving children or finances and will encourage each person to seek their own legal advice when needed.
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If you want a calmer and more respectful way to sort out family matters, mediation is worth considering. It can save time, reduce stress and often avoids the strain and cost of court applications.
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Annie is based in Abergavenny but works with clients from all over the UK. Online mediation means distance is not an issue and many clients welcome the flexibility it brings.
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The best first step is to book a MIAM and find out how mediation can help you.