Mediation / Maintenance
Maintenance Mediation
Where Structure Meets Compassion
Work through child and spousal maintenance disagreements (including changes in circumstances) without an escalating dispute.
“My ex and I keep fighting about maintenance.”
“Our financial circumstances have changed and the old arrangement no longer works.”
“We disagree about who covers school fees, medical costs or extramurals.”
Maintenance disputes are often less about the amounts involved and more about trust, fairness, and whether both parties feel the arrangement reflects the children’s actual needs and each party’s genuine ability to contribute. Mediation provides a structured, private setting to work through these questions directly, with an independent professional helping keep the conversation focused and constructive.
Common starting points
Many people come to maintenance mediation after a change (a job loss, a new financial commitment, a child starting at a new school, or simply years of an arrangement that was never revisited). Mediation can help you review an existing arrangement or establish a new one, with a clear focus on what is practical and sustainable for everyone, especially the children.
What to expect
You will be asked to bring a realistic picture of income, expenses and the costs relevant to your children (not to justify a position, but to ground the conversation in facts both parties can work from). Karen will not advise you on your legal entitlement to maintenance; where legal certainty is needed, you will be guided towards your own attorney or an appropriate formal process.
Common questions
Maintenance mediation — FAQs
How do I know whether mediation is suitable for my dispute?
Mediation can be suitable for many family, workplace, commercial and other disputes where the participants are able to engage meaningfully, exchange the information needed to make informed decisions and consider possible solutions. Suitability depends on the nature of the dispute, urgency, safety concerns, power dynamics, the need for disclosure and whether another process is better suited to resolving the issue. An initial assessment can help identify whether mediation is an appropriate route. Do not assume that every dispute should be mediated. Suitability should be assessed case by case.
What is mediation?
Mediation is a confidential, structured process in which an independent, impartial professional helps two or more parties in a dispute communicate, understand their options, and work towards an agreement. The mediator does not decide the outcome or take sides; the parties retain control over any resolution reached.
Is a mediator a lawyer, and do I still need my own attorney?
A mediator is not there to represent either party, regardless of their professional background. Karen’s role is to facilitate the process impartially, not to give either party legal advice. Many clients continue to consult their own attorney during mediation, particularly before signing any agreement, and this is generally encouraged.
What should I prepare and what documents will I need?
The documents required depend on the dispute. In a family or financial matter they may include relevant agreements, court orders, income information, expenditure schedules, bank or investment records, property information, retirement interests, valuations and details of liabilities. Commercial or workplace disputes may require contracts, correspondence, policies, financial records or other documents directly relevant to the issues. The mediator should identify what is reasonably needed before the substantive mediation begins. Avoid publishing a rigid universal document checklist. Discovery or statutory disclosure rules may apply separately where litigation is underway.
Next step
Discuss your maintenance situation
A confidential, no-obligation conversation about your options.