Family Mediation and Divorce Support

Practical help with family mediation and divorce support for separation, children, finances and property from an FMC-accredited mediator and non-practising solicitor with over 30 years’ experience.

Whether you are ready to mediate, need a MIAM, or simply feel unsure where to start, I will help you understand your options one step at a time.

Amicable Divorce and Mediation doesn't have to be a battle

Divorce Doesn’t Have to be a Battle

You may be here because everything suddenly feels uncertain and you don’t know where to turn.

 

Separation can bring a lot of questions at once. What happens to the family home? How will the finances be sorted? What arrangements will work for the children? Do you need a MIAM before court? And how do you avoid things becoming more difficult than they already are?

You may be thinking:

  • I don’t know where to start.

  • I want to avoid court if possible.

  • I need to sort finances and the family home.

  • I’m worried about the children.
  • I need a MIAM certificate.
  • I want practical guidance before making decisions.

The focus is always on finding workable solutions, reducing conflict, and helping you move forward.

Choose the family mediation and divorce support that fits where you are now

Start with a MIAM

A confidential one-to-one meeting to understand your situation, explore whether mediation may be suitable, and explain your options before you decide what to do next.
You may need this before a court application, or you may simply want to understand your options.

Family Mediation – work things out together

Mediation gives you a structured, neutral space to discuss children, finances, property and practical arrangements without handing decisions straight to the court.

Mediation is suitable when you both want to explore whether agreement is possible, even if things feel difficult at the moment.

Get one-to-one divorce support

If mediation is not the right next step, or you need support on your own, divorce consultancy gives you space to understand your options and prepare for what comes next.

This is suitable where you want guidance for yourself before deciding how to move forward.

Divorce Nicely does not mean pretending everything is fine

It means dealing with difficult decisions fairly and step by step. It means having structured conversations instead of endless arguments. It means understanding your options before spending more money, time and energy than you need to.

​Practical structure

 

I help you break the process down into manageable steps, so you are not trying to solve everything at once.

You take everything a step at a time so you are not overwhelmed.

​Legally informed, not legal advice

 

As a non-practising solicitor and experienced mediator, I can provide clear legal information while remaining neutral.

Clear boundaries and fees

You will know what is included, what is not included, and when any further work may be chargeable. I will explain the process, the fees and any next steps clearly.

You remain in control throughout, both of the decisions you make and the pace at which you make them.

​Online and accessible

All meetings take place online, so you can access support wherever you are.  Property and financial mediation relates to England and Wales.

If you haven’t used Zoom before, no problem.  Many people have mediated successfully with no previous experience.

Move at your pace

You do not have to resolve everything immediately. Mediation helps break the process down into manageable steps.

This enables you to deal with children, finances, property and future arrangements in a way that feels more structured and less overwhelming.

You will be working directly with me, Cathy O’Mahoney

I am a Family Mediation Council Accredited mediator, a non-practising solicitor, and the founder of Divorce Nicely. I have over 30 years’ experience and have worked with separating couples and families for many years.

I know that people often come to mediation feeling anxious, defensive, overwhelmed or unsure. My role is to provide a structured process so that you can understand your options and make informed decisions.

What happens next?

Step 1 – Contact me

Send a message or book a MIAM. You do not need to know exactly what service you need before getting in touch.

Step 2 – Attend your individual MIAM

This gives you a confidential space to explain your situation and understand your options.

Step 3 – Decide whether mediation is suitable

If mediation is appropriate and both people are willing to proceed, we agree the next step together.

Step 4 – Work through the issues

Mediation can help with children arrangements, finances, property, pensions and practical next steps.

Not sure 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?

Complete the participant questionnaire and I will be in touch shortly to arrange your appointment.

Not ready to contact your former partner?

You may not be ready for mediation yet. You may still be gathering information, thinking about your options, or trying to understand what separation would mean in practical terms.

A one-to-one divorce consultancy session can help you get clearer before you decide what to do next.

Clear fees, agreed in advance

Mediation works best when everyone understands the process and the cost. Fees are explained clearly before appointments are booked, and any additional work is agreed in advance.

  • MIAMs from £137 per person
  • Joint mediation from £250 per person
  • Divorce consultancy charged by the hour
  • Documents and additional work quoted clearly

Assistance with Fees

Although we do not offer legal aid, we support the Family Mediation Scheme and can apply for vouchers for you if you have dependent children.

WE SUPPORT THE FAMILY MEDIATION VOUCHER SCHEME - CLICK HERE TO DISCOVER MORE

The family mediation voucher scheme is a time-limited government scheme, designed to support participants who may be able to resolve their family law disputes outside of court.

To support this, a financial contribution of up to £500 towards the costs of mediation will be provided, if eligible.

The vouchers are available where children are considered as part of the mediation process and can only be applied for once you have both attended a mediation information and assessment meeting.

THERE ARE NO FINANCIAL STIPULATIONS FOR THIS SCHEME.

Further information can be found at:  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/family-mediation-voucher-scheme.  There is no guarantee that funds will be available and will need to be checked when you are ready to proceed after your initial mediation information and assessment meetings.

At present, funds are still available.

LEGAL AID - WE DO NOT OFFER LEGAL AID FOR FAMILY MEDIATION. CLICK HERE IF YOU THINK THIS IS APPLICABLE

WE DO NOT OFFER LEGAL AID.

If you think this is applicable, or you think your ex-partner may qualify for legal aid, please have a look at the Family Mediation Council to source an alternative provider.  If you or the other participant potentially qualify for legal aid, then both of you will receive your initial assessment meetings funded by the Legal Aid Agency, as well as your initial joint session.

If you attend a mediation information and assessment meeting with us and the other person is willing to attend a mediation information and assessment meeting and potentially qualifies for legal aid, you will need to attend a further assessment meeting with the legal aid provider.

The Family Mediation Council contains a wealth of information about family mediation.

Legal aid takes into account capital as well as income so you will need to know the value of any property, together with your outstanding mortgage, before you can be assessed for legal aid.

Generally speaking, if you are on certain benefits, i.e. Universal Credit, and your capital limits are below the threshhold, then chances are you will qualify for legal aid.

If you wish to check your eligibility, please go to:  Legal Aid Agency

Reassurance from people who have taken the first step

 

“Everything was done in the utmost professional manner, with detailed explanations and follow-ups.

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

 

“Thank you.  You made a difficult situation easier” – Former Mediation Client

 

“Dear Cathy, thank you so much for all your time and hard work on our case.  It hasn’t been easy, but you have made it very clear what we have needed to do.  Thank you again.  ED”  Deal

 

“Thank you for making the difficult conversations as painless as possible.” Former Mediation Client

 

“5* on you CO’M.  I would recommend your services without hesitation.  I wasn’t sure I would be able to voice any concerns, but this was unfounded.  It was also great to be pointed to other professionals when needed.”  Former Mediation Client

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.

Send a message to ask a question, explore your options, or find out what might work for your situation.

To book a MIAM, complete the participant questionnaire and I will be in touch shortly to arrange your appointment.

Background Image

FMC Accredited

Background Image

Member of Resolution

Background Image

Law Society Accredited

HOURS OF WORK
Monday to Friday:

9.30am-5.00pm

Saturday:

9.30am-1.00pm appointments only

Sunday: Closed

AFFORDABLE SERVICES
FOR EVERYONE
PHONE
(44) 1304 800001
LOCATION
All of our services take place online