Family Mediation and Divorce Support
Practical support for separating couples and families in East Kent.
Are you separating or divorcing and unsure what to do next?
Divorce Doesn’t Have to be a Battle
You may be worried about arrangements for your children, what will happen to the family home, how to sort out finances, or whether you need to attend a MIAM before making a court application.
Whether you live in Dover, Deal, Canterbury, Folkestone, Hythe, Ashford, Thanet, Sandwich, Whitstable, Herne Bay or elsewhere in Kent, we can help you understand your options and move forward.
At Divorce Nicely, we therefore focus on helping people across East Kent and beyond take clear, practical steps through separation and divorce. We offer family mediation, MIAM appointments and one-to-one divorce consultancy, all online, so you can access support from the comfort of your own home.
Family Mediation in East Kent
Family mediation gives separating couples a structured and supportive way to talk about the practical arrangements that need to be resolved.
In many cases, this can reduce confusion and help both people focus on the decisions that matter most. Instead of leaving decisions to solicitors’ letters or court proceedings, mediation helps you work through the issues together with the support of an independent, accredited family mediator.
Mediation can be used to help you discuss most issue, for example:
- arrangements for children
- where children will live and how they will spend time with each parent
- communication between parents after separation
- the family home
- property and savings
- pensions and financial disclosure
- monthly budgets and future needs
- practical next steps after separation
Throughout the process, you stay in control of the decisions. The mediator does not take sides, does not judge either of you, and does not tell you what to do. Instead, we help you identify the issues, consider your options and work towards fair, practical arrangements.
Start with a MIAM
A MIAM is a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting.
Initially, you may need to attend a MIAM before applying to the family court about children or finances, unless an exemption applies. The meeting gives you an opportunity to understand your options, ask questions and consider whether mediation or another form of non-court dispute resolution may be suitable.
During your MIAM, we will:
- listen to your situation
- explain how mediation works
- consider whether mediation may be suitable
- discuss other options that may be available
- explain the next steps clearly
- issue a MIAM certificate where appropriate
At Divorce Nicely, MIAMs take place online and are held individually. This means you do not attend with the other person.
Importantly, a MIAM does not commit you to mediation. It simply helps you understand your options before deciding what to do next. Mediation is just one of those options.
Divorce consultancy when you need guidance of your own
Sometimes, you may not be ready for mediation. For example, you may not know what to ask for, what is fair, or how to prepare for discussions with your former partner.
Our divorce consultancy service gives you one-to-one practical guidance, tailored to your situation.
This can help if you:
- feel overwhelmed and do not know where to start
- want to understand the divorce or separation process
- need help preparing for mediation
- want to organise your thoughts before speaking to your former partner
- need support with children arrangements
- want help understanding financial disclosure
- feel unsure about the options available to you
Divorce consultancy is not legal advice. It is practical, informed support from an experienced family mediator and non-practising solicitor, helping you feel clearer and better prepared.
Online support, with a local understanding
Divorce Nicely is based in East Kent and supports clients online across England and Wales.
For many people, online mediation and MIAM appointments are easier to fit around work, childcare and daily life. As a result, there is no need to travel, arrange parking or sit in a waiting room.
Online meetings can be a helpful option if:
- distance makes meeting in person difficult
- one of you has moved to another area
- work, childcare or family commitments make travel harder
- home feels like a more comfortable place to talk
- flexibility and affordability are important to you
Although our meetings take place online, we understand the local communities across East Kent and the pressures separating families can face in this area.
Supporting separating couples across East Kent
You do not need to live close to our office to work with us. In fact, as all meetings take place online, Divorce Nicely can support you wherever you are based in England and Wales.
We regularly support people looking for family mediation, MIAMs and divorce support across East Kent and surrounding areas, including:
- Dover
- Deal
- Sandwich
- Canterbury
- Folkestone
- Hythe
- Ashford
- Thanet
- Ramsgate
- Broadstairs
- Margate
- Whitstable
- Herne Bay
- Faversham
- Sittingbourne
Why Choose Divorce Nicely?
Separation is rarely easy, but the process does not have to become a battle.
At Divorce Nicely, we focus on helping you move forward in a way that is clear and constructive.
With Divorce Nicely, you will receive support from an accredited family mediator and experienced divorce consultant with a background as a family solicitor. As a result, you can understand the process, consider your options and take practical steps at a pace that feels manageable.
Our approach is:
- calm and constructive
- child-focused where children are involved
- practical and easy to understand
- neutral and balanced
- designed to reduce conflict where possible
- focused on helping you make informed decisions
We cannot remove every difficulty from separation, but we can help you approach the next stage with more clarity and less confusion.
What can mediation help us resolve?
Family mediation can help with many of the practical issues that arise when a relationship ends. The following are just some examples:
Children arrangements
Mediation can help you discuss where the children will live, how they will spend time with each parent, school holidays, special occasions, communication, handovers and other parenting arrangements.
Property and finances
Financial discussions may include the family home, mortgages, savings, debts, pensions, income, outgoings and future housing needs.
Communication after separation
It can also help you agree how you will communicate going forward, particularly where you need to co-parent children.
Moving forward after separation
Many people come to mediation because they feel stuck. Mediation helps you break the issues down into manageable steps, so you can start making progress.
Do we have to be amicable to use mediation?
No. In fact, you do not have to agree on everything before mediation starts.
Mediation is often most useful where communication has become difficult, but both people are still willing to try to have structured, practical discussions.
You do need to be willing to listen, consider options and focus on future arrangements rather than repeatedly revisiting the past.
Mediation is not suitable for every family or every situation. Suitability is considered carefully as part of the MIAM process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer face-to-face mediation in East Kent?
No. All Divorce Nicely meetings take place online. This includes MIAMs, family mediation sessions and divorce consultancy meetings.
Are MIAMs offered online?
Yes. MIAM appointments take place online and are held individually. You do not attend your MIAM with your former partner.
Can you issue a MIAM certificate?
Yes, where appropriate. If you need a MIAM certificate for a court application, this can be discussed during your MIAM.
Are we both required to attend?
You each usually attend an individual MIAM first. If mediation is suitable and both of you agree to proceed, joint mediation sessions can then be arranged.
Is mediation suitable for finances?
Yes. Family mediation can help you discuss property, income, savings, debts, pensions and other financial arrangements following separation or divorce.
Can mediation help with child arrangements?
Yes. Mediation can help parents discuss arrangements for children, including living arrangements, time with each parent, holidays, communication and practical co-parenting issues.
How many sessions will we need?
Every situation is different. Many families resolve arrangements within a small number of sessions. At each stage, we review progress together so that you remain in control of costs and next steps.
Is mediation required before going to court?
In most cases, yes.
You are usually required to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) before making a court application, unless an exemption applies.
The MIAM allows you to understand whether mediation could be suitable before taking court action.
Does attending mediation mean we have to agree?
No.
Mediation is a voluntary process. You are not forced to reach an agreement and you remain in control of all decisions.
If mediation is not suitable or does not progress, you still retain the option of applying to court.
What if the other person refuses to mediate?
If the other person does not engage or mediation is not appropriate, a MIAM certificate can be issued, allowing you to make a court application if you choose to do so.
Is mediation cheaper than going to court?
For most people, yes.
Mediation is generally quicker, more cost-effective, and less stressful than court proceedings, which can be lengthy and expensive.
Mediation also allows you to keep control of decisions rather than having them imposed by a judge.
When might court be more appropriate?
Court may be necessary where:
-
There are serious safety concerns
-
One person is unwilling to engage at all
-
Urgent decisions are required
The MIAM helps explore whether mediation is suitable in your circumstances.
Do you give legal advice?
No. As mediators, we provide legal information, not legal advice. We encourage clients to take independent legal advice where needed, particularly before making final financial decisions.
Are multiple sessions necessary?
No. There is no obligation to book more than one session.
You can take things one step at a time and decide what feels right as you go.
What happens next?
1 – Contact me
2 – Attend your individual MIAM
3 – Decide whether mediation is suitable
4 – Work through the issues
Not sure where to start?
If you are unsure where to start, send a message to ask a question, explore your options, or find out what might work for your situation.
Ready to book a MIAM?
Assistance with Fees
Family Mediation Vouchers
The scheme can provide a contribution of up to £500 towards the cost of eligible mediation. There is no means test for the voucher scheme, although funding availability needs to be checked at the time.
To find out more about the Family Mediation Voucher scheme, read our article: Family Mediation Voucher Scheme: £500 Towards Mediation Costs
Legal Aid
Divorce Nicely does not offer legal aid for family mediation. If you think you, or the other person, may qualify for legal aid, you may wish to contact a legal aid family mediation provider before booking privately. To check your eligibility, please go to:Â Legal Aid Agency
If legal aid applies, both MIAMs and the first joint mediation session may be funded through the Legal Aid Agency.
Reassurance from people who have taken the first step
I greatly appreciate Cathy’s commitment to sticking to the timeline and ensuring everything proceeded as planned. The thorough explanations, delivered in a calm and clear manner, were especially valuable and made the entire process much easier to understand and navigate.” MCB, Spain
You do not have to work everything out before asking for help
If you are separating, considering mediation, or unsure what your next step should be, you can start with a confidential MIAM or send a message first.
All meetings take place online and you will be working directly with Cathy.
FMC Accredited
Member of Resolution
Law Society Accredited
Monday to Friday:
9.30am-8.00pm
Saturday:
9.30am-1.30pm appointments only
Sunday: Closed