It can be frustrating if you think your ex won’t want to try mediation to sort things out.
It's difficult in the heat of a conflict for both people to think about being sitting in the same room with each other never mind trying to negotiate together to get things sorted. It can seem far simpler to try to trigger a legal battle that is ultimately actually going to be far more expensive, more stressful and take much, much longer! But mediation can only work when both people are willing to mediate.
If you believe your ex doesn’t want to mediate you’ll be looking at your other options which are likely to include seeking legal advice. For more information about solicitors in the local area please visit our website. You may be considering making a court application. You must attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) to make your court application, (subject to a few exceptions) whether you believe your ex intends to attend or not. For more information please see our ‘What’s a MIAM?’ blog.
However it’s not unusual for separated partners to tell each other that they won’t mediate. Part of our role as mediators is to give you both lots of information about how the process can help each of you to relieve some of the stress you may be feeling. And what we’d be giving your ex the opportunity to do in the first instance is to consider attending an information meeting to find out more about mediation. That way they can make an informed decision as to whether they want to mediate. And this meeting could be free!
It is normal to be nervous before starting mediation but most people we meet who try the process are greatly relieved that they managed to sort things out for themselves.
For more information about what is discussed in this blog please call us on 01670 528441 or contact us via our website.