Family mediation week 2026
Family Mediation Week takes place from the 26th to 30th January.
The week is an opportunity to raise awareness of family mediation and of the benefits it can bring to separating families. The Family Mediation Council state that their aim is to let more people know about the benefits of family mediation and encourage separating couples to think about family mediation as a way of helping them take control, make decisions together and build a positive future for their family.
Throughout this week, they will be offering a series of free webinars, resources, information, blog posts and issue news stories.
For parents living in the North East who have decided to separate or divorce in 2026 are being urged to find out how to avoid courtroom confrontation to settle money and parenting arrangements.
January usually sees a rise in the number of parents deciding to live apart as the various pressures that go hand-in-hand with the Christmas period act as a final straw for relationships.
Trevor Gay, head of Family Law says “Family Mediation Week is designed to raise awareness of the benefits of family mediation, a process that can help ex-partners agree what works for them, whilst avoiding the court process with all the stress, delay and cost it can bring.”
He says: “Many parents emerge from the festive period feeling defeated by the pressures on relationships and finances that have been highlighted during the holiday period.”
Here in Whitley Bay, we find parents in this position simply don’t know which way to turn. Their life-changing decision to separate brings with it so 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?
Family Mediation Week shines a helpful spotlight on these tricky issues, offering separating parents information about their options as they look to make arrangements for parenting, property and finance.
Family mediation is a process where an independent, professionally trained mediator helps you work these things out, enabling you to avoid courtroom confrontation. 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.
Anyone wanting to know more about the benefits of family mediation and parenting arrangements can visit www.kiddspoorlaw.co.uk or call 0191 297 0011.
