What it is
A structured conversation about your finances
Financial settlement mediation helps separating couples agree how to divide property, savings, pensions and debts, with full transparency about what each of you has. Rather than leaving these decisions to a court, you and your former partner work through them together with an impartial mediator, focusing on an outcome that's fair and workable for you both.
It's suitable whether you were married, in a civil partnership, or living together, and whether your finances are simple or more complex. Reaching agreement through mediation is typically faster and less costly than resolving matters through solicitors or the courts.
What you can discuss
Whatever matters to your finances
Every couple's circumstances are different. These are some examples of what people often discuss, there may be others that matter more to you.
Our approach
Transparent, and always impartial
Full and honest disclosure
Both of you share full details of your finances, assets and debts, so any agreement is built on a complete and accurate picture.
An impartial facilitator, not a judge
Your mediator doesn't take sides, decide outcomes or give legal advice. They guide a fair, balanced conversation so you and your former partner reach your own agreement together.
A helpful framework
Thinking like the Section 25 factors
Courts in England and Wales weigh up a set of factors under Section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 when deciding how to divide finances fairly. Your mediator doesn't apply the law during mediation, but the same plain, practical questions can help you and your former partner think things through together, such as:
What income, earning capacity and property does each of you have, now and in future?
What are each of your financial needs, obligations and responsibilities?
What standard of living did you have as a couple?
How long was the marriage or partnership, and what are your ages?
Does either of you have a disability to consider?
What contributions has each of you made, including caring for the home and family?
This is a general guide for reflection during mediation, not legal advice. For guidance on how the law applies to your circumstances, please speak to a solicitor.
The outcome
A written settlement you both understand
Together, you'll work towards a clear, written summary of the financial arrangements you've agreed. Most couples then take this to a solicitor to convert it into a legally binding consent order, giving both of you certainty and a clean break where appropriate.
Good to know
Financial disclosure
You'll each complete an open financial statement covering income, assets, debts and pensions. This full disclosure gives you both the confidence that any agreement reflects the true picture, and helps avoid the settlement being challenged later.
Making it legally binding
A mediated financial agreement isn't automatically binding. Most couples ask a solicitor to draft it into a consent order and submit it to the court for approval, which protects you both from further claims in future.
How it works
Sessions built around you
Online or face-to-face
Joint sessions can be held by video call or in person, whichever feels more comfortable for you both.
Around two hours each
Sessions typically last around two hours, with the number of sessions depending on how much you need to discuss.
Together, at your pace
You and your former partner attend jointly, working through one topic at a time until you reach a settlement you're both comfortable with.
Frequently asked
Questions about financial settlement mediation
Yes, full and honest financial disclosure from both of you is central to mediation. It gives you both confidence that any agreement is fair and built on complete information.
Not automatically. A solicitor can turn your mediated agreement into a consent order, which the court approves and which is then legally binding on you both.
Yes, pensions are often one of the most significant assets and can be discussed alongside property, savings and income during your sessions.
Yes, many couples cover both in the same series of sessions, and if children are involved you may also be eligible for the government's Family Mediation Voucher Scheme towards the cost.
Ready to talk through your financial settlement?
Book your MIAM and take the first step towards a calmer, fairer way forward.
Book a MIAM