The pressures of the six-week school vacation often mean we see a rise in the number of couples calling time on their relationship.

The ‘picture postcard’ image of happy summer family holidays doesn’t ring true for many. Sadly, the time that unhappy couples spend together in the summer can deepen long-standing cracks.

The six-week break from the usual routines places huge burdens on fragile relationships, with the costs and other pressures that come with extra childcare responsibilities.

Experience shows us that the end of a summer holiday can lead to one or both partners taking a long deep breath, and confirming what they’ve suspected for a long time, the relationship is over.

Those who make the life-changing decision to separate can feel daunted, not knowing where to turn. When you separate or divorce, there are so many challenging questions, ranging from ‘Where will the children live?’ to ‘Who gets the family dog?’

Other questions need answering too, including:

· How can we make sure we each spend time with the children?

· How will we sort money?

· Who lives where?

· What should we do about debts and pensions?

Here at Family Mediation and Mentoring LLP we help people as they come to terms with the scale of the arrangements that need to be made.

Family mediation is a process that helps ex-partners agree what will work for them as they look to make parenting, property and finance arrangements. We will help guide you through, helping you feel in control of the process.

As independent, professionally-trained mediators we can help you work things out, avoiding the court process with all the stress, delay and cost it can bring.

We help empower you to create long-term solutions for your particular circumstances, rather than leaving it to a court to make decisions for you and your family.

The government’s Family Mediation Voucher Scheme provides up to £500 to help separating couples make agreements about their children.

If you would like to know more about the benefits of family mediation you can book a free call on our website at a time to suit you or email us at hello@familymandm.co.uk.

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