EAG Family Mediation

Family Mediation Northwich

Northwich families, support and guidance is available

I'm Elizabeth and I offer a bespoke mediation service to families in Northwich. No two situations are the same, so I tailor every mediation to the needs of the individuals

Get in touch today →

 

Going through a separation or divorce is one of the most emotionally challenging experiences a family can face. If you are based in Northwich or the surrounding areas of Cheshire and are looking for a constructive, cost-effective way to resolve disputes with your ex-partner, family mediation could be the right path forward. I’m Elizabeth, and at EAG Family Mediation I provide professional, impartial, and confidential mediation services to help separating couples reach agreements — without the stress and expense of going to court.

What Is Family Mediation?

Family mediation is a voluntary process in which a professionally trained, impartial mediator helps separating couples discuss and resolve the issues that arise from the breakdown of their relationship. These issues typically relate to arrangements for children (where they will live, schedules, schooling and holidays) or financial matters such as the division of assets, property, savings and pensions, or a combination of both.

Mediation is future-focused and kind in its approach. It aims for early resolution of conflict and gives a separating couple the opportunity to make decisions about their future, rather than having outcomes imposed on them by a court. Any agreement reached during mediation is not automatically legally binding, but it can be made into a legally binding order with an application to the Court. Mediation is not always easy, but it is typically far less stressful, quicker, and more cost-effective than pursuing legal proceedings.

E.A.G-Family-Mediation-Northwich-Quote

Family Mediation Services in Northwich

I offer a comprehensive range of mediation services tailored to the needs of separating couples and families in Northwich and across Cheshire. Here is an overview of what I provide — for full details please visit the Services page.

Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM)

The first step in the mediation process is the Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting — also known as a MIAM. This is a separate, confidential meeting between you and me, which typically takes place online and lasts around 60 minutes. During this meeting I will explain how the mediation process works, listen to your situation from your own perspective, assess whether mediation is suitable and safe for your circumstances and answer any questions you may have. It is important to note that attending a MIAM is a necessary requirement before you can make certain applications to the Court relating to children or finances.

Child and Parenting Mediation

When children are involved in a separation, getting arrangements right is vital — and it is an area I feel particularly passionate about. Child and parenting mediation focuses on helping parents agree on all matters relating to their children, including where they will live, how they will spend time with each parent, schooling, holidays, healthcare decisions and any other parenting matters important to you. I firmly believe that a mediated agreement produces better long-term outcomes for children than one imposed by the courts. Where appropriate, I work closely with Child Inclusive Mediation specialists to ensure children have the opportunity to have their voice heard in a safe and age-appropriate way.

Financial Mediation

Financial mediation helps separating couples reach fair and workable agreements about their finances, including the division of assets, property, savings, pensions and other financial matters including debt. If finances are to be addressed during our sessions, I will ask both parties to provide full financial disclosure so that negotiations can take place on an informed and transparent basis.

Joint Financial Statement

Where financial matters are being mediated, I will prepare a Joint Financial Statement bringing together both parties’ financial information in a clear, structured format to assist with negotiations.

Summary of Proposals

At the conclusion of mediation, I can prepare a Summary of Proposals summarising the discussions we have had and any agreements reached. This can then be taken to your respective solicitors, who can advise on converting it into a legally binding consent order.

How the Process Works

I understand that starting the mediation process can feel daunting, particularly at such an emotionally difficult time. I aim to make every step as clear and straightforward as possible. Here is how the process typically unfolds:

  1. Separate Information and Assessment Meetings — You and your ex-partner each attend a confidential MIAM with me individually. These usually take place online and last around 60 minutes.
  2. Suitability assessment — I will determine whether mediation is suitable and safe for both of you.
  3. Agreeing the format — If both parties wish to proceed, we agree together the best format for joint sessions — online or in person, same room or separate rooms.
  4. Joint sessions begin — I arrange sessions to address the issues at hand, each lasting around 90 minutes.
  5. Financial disclosure — If finances are being discussed, I will ask both parties to provide full documentation.
  6. Joint Financial Statement — I prepare this document to assist with financial negotiations.
  7. Summary of Proposals — At the conclusion of mediation, I prepare a summary of any agreements reached.
  8. Making it legally binding — Any decisions made during our sessions can be made into a legally binding agreement with an application to the Court.

About Elizabeth

Liz Greaves Profile Image

I’m Elizabeth, a family mediator based in Cheshire. I qualified as a solicitor in 2001 and spent many years working in a large commercial law firm in the North West of England, specialising in Commercial Litigation. It was during this time that I witnessed first-hand how mediation was so often a far more logical and beneficial alternative for clients caught up in stressful and expensive legal disputes.

After a career break to raise my four sons, I retrained as a family mediator. I am a member of the Family Mediators Association (FMA) and I am registered with the Family Mediation Council (FMC). All of my mediations are conducted in full accordance with the FMC’s Code of Conduct and Code of Practice.

I firmly believe that family mediation is the best next step for separating couples who are stuck in conflict with their ex-partner — whether the issues relate to children, finances or both. My role is to offer you both an opportunity to have a conversation about these issues in a structured and balanced way, with impartial guidance and support. To find out more about me and my background, please visit the About page.

Frequently Asked Questions About Family Mediation in Northwich

How much does family mediation cost?
Mediation is more affordable than court proceedings but will vary depending on how may session you attend. I will discuss my fees with you in full at your MIAM so that there are no unexpected costs. In mediations involving arrangements for children, I am also able to apply on your behalf to the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme for £500 worth of government funding per couple to help towards the cost of mediation.
Do both parties have to agree to mediation?
Mediation is a voluntary process and cannot be imposed on either party. However, you do not need your ex-partner’s agreement before contacting me. I am happy to talk to you about the best way to raise the possibility of mediation with your ex-partner.
Can mediation take place online?
Yes. I offer online mediation sessions, making the process accessible to families beyond Northwich and the wider Cheshire area. Sessions can take place online or in person, in the same room or in separate rooms — whatever works best for your situation.
Is mediation confidential?
Yes. In most circumstances, discussions held during mediation cannot be referred to or relied upon outside of our sessions, allowing both parties to speak openly and honestly without fear that their words will be used against them in court.
What is a MIAM?
A MIAM — Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting — is the first step in the mediation process. It is a confidential individual meeting with me to explore whether mediation is right for you. It is also a requirement to attend a MIAM before making certain applications to the Family Court in England and Wales.
What if we cannot reach an agreement during mediation?
If mediation does not result in a full agreement, it does not mean the process has failed. Even partial agreements can be valuable, and the process may help to narrow the issues that still need to be resolved. If mediation is not successful, you retain the right to pursue matters through the courts and I will provide a certificate confirming attendance at a MIAM, which is required before making certain court applications.

Get in Touch

If you are going through a separation in Northwich and want to explore whether family mediation is right for you, please do not hesitate to get in touch. You do not need your ex-partner’s agreement before contacting me — the first step is simply a conversation. Please visit my Contact page or reach out to me directly:

I look forward to hearing from you and helping your family find a better way forward.