Who Pays For Family Mediation?
Whilst there are costs involved in mediation, the process is much less expensive than going via the courts and, there is currently a Government funded Family Mediation Voucher Scheme running that will contribute up to £500 towards the mediation of eligible cases.
This is a time limited scheme and is only available through mediators who are authorised by the Family Mediation Council (FMC). The team at Horizon are all fully authorised.
General Payment Rules
When you are separating or divorcing you both generally pay your share of the mediation costs. You both “buy into” the process so you are financially as well as emotionally invested in it.
However, where one of you is on a low income you may decide one of you will pay more of the costs, or all of the costs of mediation.
We will seek to sort out an arrangement that works for you.
Whilst we understand one of you may have started the separation process, against the other’s wishes, it is important you both “invest” in finding an outcome that works for everyone involved.
We can help you to explore what that looks like.
Family Mediation Voucher Scheme
The Government is currently funding a Family Mediation Voucher Scheme which entitles any separating family to a contribution of up to £500 (£250 each) towards their family mediation costs.
The scheme started in 2021 and as of early 2024, it has helped more than 27,000 separating families by not only reducing the cost of their separation but also protecting the families and children involved from long court cases.
Read more about the scheme at the UK Government website.
This scheme can help significantly reduce the costs to you. Find out more about the scheme on our dedicated page about them.