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Inheritance disputes don't always start with the inheritance itself. Sometimes they are part of a much wider disagreement between siblings about money, responsibility or what is fair. When a parent dies, there is already enough to deal with. There is the grief. The funeral. The paperwork. Sorting through a lifetime of possessions. And, for many families, the practical decisions that come with dealing with an estate. Then there is the inheritance. What should happen to the hou

A closer look at the changes to family courts in England and Wales, and what they could mean for children and parents. When parents separate, the decisions that follow can have a lasting impact on their children. Where parents cannot agree on arrangements, they may find themselves turning to the family court. For some families, this can mean a lengthy and emotionally demanding process at a time when everyone is already adjusting to significant change. The family justice syste

You might never have imagined that you and your brother or sister would end up barely speaking. But family relationships can change when circumstances change. An ageing parent may need more care. Decisions may need to be made about where they should live. One sibling may feel they are doing everything, while another feels excluded from important decisions. There may be disagreements about money, the family home or an inheritance. Or perhaps the disagreement has been building

If you're separating or getting divorced, you may have heard that the finances will simply be divided 50/50. It sounds straightforward. But divorce finances are rarely that simple. There is no automatic rule that everything must be split equally. Instead, the law requires the circumstances of each family to be considered when deciding what a fair financial settlement might look like. Sometimes that may mean an equal division. Sometimes it won't. So, how are finances divided i

For millions of couples, living together is family life. But if that relationship comes to an end, the law currently treats you very differently from a married couple. That could be about to change. In June 2026, the Government published a consultation called A Fairer End to Relationships, setting out proposals for significant changes to the law around relationships, including new protections for cohabiting couples when they separate. The consultation closed on 14 August 2026

How family mediation can help when adult siblings disagree about elderly parent care, finances and what is best for an elderly parent. When an elderly or seriously ill parent begins to need more care, families can suddenly find themselves having conversations they never expected to have. With the result being siblings disagreeing about elderly parent care. Where should Mum live? Should Dad stay at home, or would a care home be better? Which care home should we choose? How wil

New research explores what happens after parents go through Family Court. Discover why some families return to court and how mediation can help create lasting solutions. When parents separate, disagreements about children can sometimes feel impossible to resolve. For some families, Family Court becomes the route they need to take to obtain decisions about arrangements for their children. Court plays an important role and, in some circumstances, it is absolutely necessary. But

Learn what happens at a MIAM, how to prepare, what to expect, confidentiality, domestic abuse screening and whether mediation is right for you. If you've been told you need to attend a MIAM, you're probably wondering what it actually involves. Many people arrive feeling anxious because they imagine they'll be sitting opposite their former partner or making important decisions straight away. Fortunately, neither of those things happens. A Mediation Information and Assessment M

How Marshall Rosenberg's ideas can help separating couples communicate more effectively. If you've ever been through separation or divorce, you'll know that conversations can quickly become arguments. Sometimes it's not what is being said that causes the problem; it's how it's being heard. I've recently been reading Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life by Dr Marshall B. Rosenberg, a book that has influenced mediators, counsellors, teachers and peacebuilders around th

Sometimes divorce or separation can feel less like moving forward and more like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube.

When parents separate, one of the biggest questions is how decisions about their children will be made. While the family court can make Child Arrangements Orders when agreement isn't possible, family mediation gives parents the opportunity to work together and create arrangements that are tailored to their children's needs. Understanding how each approach works can help you make an informed decision about the best way forward. To support this, judges rely on a structured fram

"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated." - Confucius (551 - 479 BCE) "The greatest wealth is to live content with little." - Plato (428-348 BCE) We're often told that the answer to a happier life is to do more. More productivity. More goals. More possessions. More commitments. More pressure. But what if the answer isn't more? What if the answer is less? Creating a calmer, simpler life through mindful choices and living with less Why I created The Livin

Discover what family mediation can help with beyond separation and divorce, including child arrangements, communication, family disagreements and financial discussions. When people hear the term family mediation, they often assume it only applies to couples who are separating or divorcing and trying to sort out child arrangements or finances. If you are separating or divorcing, mediation can help you navigate important decisions about the future. While that is a very common a

Separating? Learn why it is important to review your will and future plans after separation, including considerations around children, finances and protecting those who matter most. Separation often means making decisions about children, finances and living arrangements, but it's also an important time to review your future plans. Updating your will, considering guardianship for your children and reviewing important legal and financial arrangements can give you peace of mind

Wondering what to wear to family mediation? Find out what to expect, what to bring and why feeling comfortable and relaxed is more important than dressing formally. One of the questions people occasionally ask before their first mediation session is: "What should I wear?" The simple answer is: Whatever you feel comfortable in. Whether your mediation is taking place online from your own home or face-to-face in a meeting room, there is no dress code and no expectation that you

Wondering whether you need to go to court to sort out child arrangements? Learn when court may be necessary, how family mediation works and why it is often a quicker, less stressful way to reach agreement. When parents separate, one of the biggest worries is often: “Will we have to go to court to sort out arrangements for the children?” The good news is that in many cases, the answer is no. While court is sometimes necessary, most families are encouraged to explore other opti

Learn how using “I” statements after separation can help reduce conflict, improve communication and support healthier conversations between co-parents. Separation can bring a huge range of emotions; hurt, frustration, anxiety, anger, grief, and uncertainty about the future. For many parents, communication suddenly becomes one of the hardest parts of navigating life after a relationship ends. Even simple conversations about handovers, routines, finances, or the children’s need

How do family mediators assess domestic abuse and safety concerns? Learn how screening helps determine whether mediation is suitable and what support may be available. For many survivors of domestic abuse, the idea of mediation can feel overwhelming. You may worry about: Being pressured into agreeing to something unfair Having to sit in the same room as your ex-partner Not being believed Feeling intimidated or unable to speak freely Your children’s safety and wellbeing These

Discover how parents can support children through separation, reduce the impact of family change and make child-focused decisions that put their wellbeing first. Separation can be one of the most emotionally challenging experiences a family goes through. Alongside dealing with the breakdown of a relationship, parents are often trying to support children who may be confused, upset, or struggling to understand what is happening around them. While every family’s situation is dif

Learn the difference between parallel parenting and co-parenting after separation, when each approach may be appropriate and how family mediation can help parents find the best way forward. When parents separate, there is often pressure to become “good co-parents”. For some families, co-parenting works well. Parents are able to communicate regularly, make joint decisions, and remain flexible around arrangements for their children. However, for others, ongoing communication ca