As mediator, I use my training and experience to guide clients towards sources of information and advice. I will explain basic principles and processes, and ask questions to help you clarify your positions, interests and options. I will inform you when it appears that expert advice might help, but mediators are not permitted to give advice about what a Court might decide, nor an opinion about what is in anyone’s best interests. The following professionals can provide you with support and expertise on financial issues and when you book a MIAM we can talk about what services might help when we meet.
Accountants: can help with completing tax returns, understanding business accounts and business planning
Debt and Money Advisors: debt can adversely affect your credit rating and your ability to afford to move on. A qualified advisor can help you find ways to maximise income and manage your debts, even if you think there’s no spare money. They can also often find ways you may not know about, to deal with debts. Debt Advisors must be accredited in order to give advice and will offer non-judgemental help to relieve the stress and consequences of debt.
Financial Planners and Independent Financial Advisors: can help you complete financial questionnaires for mediation and Court, advise about mortgage capacity, pension and investment options, maintenance calculations and insurance protection. Some offer a free initial consultation and home visits.
Forensic Accountants: If you think the information your ex-partner has given about their business accounts or investments is misleading, you can ask your solicitor how the Court would deal with this and if it might be cost-effective to consult a forensic accountant.
Insurance Brokers: can advise on life cover, what to do with existing policies and insurance to protect income and maintenance.
Mortgage Advisors: current lending regulations require that lenders look at the ability to pay, so online mortgage estimates based on salary multipliers, are not as helpful as individual and expert advice from a specialist. Some offer free initial consultation and home visits.
Pension Advisors: can help you understand how much income you might need on retirement and your options for any pension funds. The Government’s Pensions Advisory Service now offers free initial phone advice about rights and options for pensions on divorce and is a good place to start, if you want to learn more.
Pension Actuaries: can help if you need to compare values and benefits of contributory and salary related pension funds, or deal with complex pension arrangements which need to be valued.
Tax Advisors and Planners: can help with advice and financial planning to ensure financial and property arrangements are tax efficient. They can also help with advice on late tax returns and HMRC debt.
The Child Maintenance Service: set up by government, the CMS has a calculation formula and, if required, a collection service for parents needing help with arrangements on their financial contributions towards raising their children.
Welfare Benefits Advisors: can help you work out what extra government help you might qualify for and whether any financial settlement you are considering might increase or decrease that help.
Will Writers and Estate Planners: can help you put provision in place for the people and causes you care about. Some offer free initial consultation and home visits.