PARENTS living in Yorkshire who are separating or divorcing in 2023 are being encouraged to find out how they can avoid court proceedings as part of Family Mediation Week.

They are being urged to avoid courtroom conflict and turn to mediation to agree money and parenting arrangements.

Family Mediation Week, which runs from January 16 to 20, aims to raise awareness of the benefits of family mediation, a process that can help separating couples agree what works for them.

Sarah Manning, mediator and family solicitor at Clarion in Leeds said that many parents emerge from the festive period feeling defeated by the pressures on relationships and finances.

“In my mediation practice, I often speak to separating couples in this position and they simply don’t know which way to turn. Their life-changing decision to separate brings with it so many tough questions, such as who lives where; where will the children live; how will they make sure they each spend time with them; how will they sort money; what about debts and pensions; and even what happens to the family dog?

“Family Mediation Week shines a helpful spotlight on these tricky issues, offering separating couples information about their options as they look to make arrangements for parenting, property and finance.”

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