Mediation Voucher Scheme- £500 vouchers available to  help towards the cost of Family mediation in Darlington and North Yorkshire

Separating parents living in Darlington and North Yorkshire could be in line for £500 worth of Government help towards the cost of family mediation, to help them make vital agreements over parenting, property and money arrangements.

The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme, which runs until April 2025, provides separating couples with vouchers worth up to £500 to help them make settlements using family mediation. Government figures show that over 27,000 families across England and Wales have so far been supported through amicable separation by the scheme.

Family mediation is a process where an independent, professionally-trained mediator helps you work these things out. The £500 voucher scheme is encouraging many parents to try family mediation, instead of suffering the stress, delay and cost of going to court to make settlements.

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.

An analysis of the first 7,200 users of the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme showed 69% reached whole or partial agreements away from court.

Couples who have decided to separate find that their life-changing decision brings 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?

Very often they don’t know which way to turn, and the voucher scheme will help many more separating families feel the benefits family mediation can bring.

The case types eligible for a mediation voucher are:

• a dispute/application regarding a child
• a dispute/application regarding family financial matters where you are also involved in a dispute/application relating to a child

Anyone wanting to know more about the benefits of family mediation can visit www.familymediationsolutions.co.uk or call 01325 289856