Mediation services to families and couples getting divorced.
Simpler
Smarter
Kinder
About Belinda
After being on both sides of the divorce process, Belinda realised that in most divorces, no one wins when couples ’lawyer up’. Divorce is hard enough without unnecessary heartache, expensive legal fees and unkind litigation, which can continue for years. The divorce process often ends up in a broken, damaged relationship between two adults who still need to interact and work together as co-parents. With mediation, divorce can be more straightforward, kinder and cheaper as couples are focused on finding solutions and negotiating guidelines for raising healthy, happy and well-adjusted children. Not only does this benefit their children’s future but also their own as it minimises the conflict, confusion and complexity of co-parenting children beyond divorce.
Belinda now works in this field with the goal of helping couples focus on creative problem-solving for complex family problems. As such, she facilitates a space in which couples can come together to agree on decisions and put together a plan that works for both of them. Through this process, she aims to help them negotiate an agreement which will assist the move into the next chapter of their lives and their new relationship as co-parents.
Belinda offers online sessions through Zoom and Google Meet platforms.
Divorce and Family Mediation Services
During divorce mediation, the couple works with a trained neutral third party (the mediator) to agree on the issues that must be settled in a divorce. These include all the same problems that must be decided in the court-based divorce process, such as parenting arrangements for children, child maintenance, just and equitable redistribution or division of assets/liabilities, and spousal maintenance. It is an attempt by the parties to settle the issues in dispute in a divorce amicably.
Divorce mediation offers a compassionate and supportive environment for couples to work with a mediator who facilitates the challenging process of coming to a resolution. The parties work together to find creative solutions to their problems, empowering both parties to create an agreement that works best for their specific circumstances. Every couple and family is different, and this process allows them to negotiate almost any part of their divorce.
It is important to note that the mediator remains neutral and doesn’t make decisions for the couple. Instead, they facilitate a space in which the couple can make decisions themselves. The mediator's role is to assist the couple in better understanding their options and to guide them regarding legal requirements. They do not take sides or impose solutions, but rather help the couple communicate effectively and reach their own agreements.
The main goal of divorce mediation is to reach a complete settlement agreement outside of court, thus avoiding the cost and the trauma of a court case. At the end of the mediation process, the mediator will set out the agreement reached by the parties in writing in a Memorandum of Understanding.
Unlike divorce mediation, which specifically focuses on issues related to divorce, family mediation can address a wide range of family conflicts, including parenting arrangements for children, child maintenance, grandparent contact with children, and other family issues. The key difference is that divorce mediation is specifically for couples going through a divorce, while family mediation can involve a wider range of family members and issues. For example: Family mediation can assist a single father of a child born out of wedlock in establishing parental rights and responsibilities regarding the child.
Family mediation is a helpful way for families to work together with a mediator to restructure their family dynamics and find solutions to their problems. The mediator guides the process and helps the family create the best plan for them.
Family mediation allows for agreements that address present circumstances but also consider the future. If necessary, family meditators can meet with the co-parents and continue to work through any new co-parenting issues as circumstances with children change. This process can alleviate much of the conflict that arises in co-parenting and also ensure a more secure and constructive context for the children involved.
Successful divorce and family mediation can help save you money, time, and unnecessary emotional heartache. By avoiding lengthy court battles, mediation can provide a quicker resolution, allowing you to move forward with your life.
The Mediation Process
What is involved?
- The number of sessions necessary to complete the mediation process will depend on the complexity of the issues at hand and the willingness of both parties to cooperate, communicate and compromise.
- Sessions last 60 minutes, but can be changed as needed.
What are the costs?
- Sessions: R900 per 60 minutes.
- Drafting of a Memorandum of Understanding: R900.
- Drafting of a Parenting Plan: R900.
Online Sessions through Zoom and Google Meet.
If you don't yet have Zoom installed, you will need to download the application and install it. You can do this by clicking on Download Zoom
When you open it you will find a option “Join Meeting”. Click it.
Enter your meeting id and your name (if needed/not necessary).
When you click Join meeting. It would ask for password if the one conducting had set a password . Enter it and click oK.
Follow the onscreen prompts to join the meeting.
Resources
FAQ
Divorce mediation provides an alternative path for couples who don't want a court battle.
During divorce mediation, the couple works with a trained neutral third party (the mediator) to agree on the issues that must be settled in a divorce. These include all the same problems that must be decided in the court-based divorce process, such as parenting arrangements for children, child maintenance, just and equitable redistribution or division of assets/liabilities, and spousal maintenance. It is an attempt by the parties to settle the issues in dispute in a divorce amicably.
Divorce mediation offers a compassionate and supportive environment for couples to work with a mediator who facilitates the challenging process of coming to a resolution. The parties work together to find creative solutions to their problems, empowering both parties to create an agreement that works best for their specific circumstances. Every couple and family is different, and this process allows them to negotiate almost any part of their divorce.
It is important to note that the mediator remains neutral and doesn’t make decisions for the couple. Instead, they facilitate a space in which the couple can make decisions themselves. The mediator's role is to assist the couple in better understanding their options and to guide them regarding legal requirements. They do not take sides or impose solutions, but rather help the couple communicate effectively and reach their own agreements.
The main goal of divorce mediation is to reach a complete settlement agreement outside of court, thus avoiding the cost and the trauma of a court case. At the end of the mediation process, the mediator will set out the agreement reached by the parties in writing in a Memorandum of Understanding.
Unlike divorce mediation, which specifically focuses on issues related to divorce, family mediation can address a wide range of family conflicts, including parenting arrangements for children, child maintenance, grandparent contact with children, and other family issues. The key difference is that divorce mediation is specifically for couples going through a divorce, while family mediation can involve a wider range of family members and issues. For example: Family mediation can assist a single father of a child born out of wedlock in establishing parental rights and responsibilities regarding the child.
Family mediation is a helpful way for families to work together with a mediator to restructure their family dynamics and find solutions to their problems. The mediator guides the process and helps the family create the best plan for them.
Family mediation allows for agreements that address present circumstances but also consider the future. If necessary, family meditators can meet with the co-parents and continue to work through any new co-parenting issues as circumstances with children change. This process can alleviate much of the conflict that arises in co-parenting and also ensure a more secure and constructive context for the children involved.
Family and divorce mediation is a process in which the mediator, a neutral third party who has no decision making power, facilitates the negotiations between families and couples getting divorced with the object of helping them to make their own decisions on some or all of the issues involved and to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement that recognises the needs and interests of all the family members.
There are two main types of divorce:
- Opposed Divorce: This occurs when the parties cannot agree on the terms of their divorce settlement. These cases are typically more complex and time-consuming.
- Unopposed Divorce: This occurs when there are no significant disagreements, and the parties agree on the terms of their divorce settlement. Unopposed divorces are generally simpler and faster to complete.
If you and your spouse are comfortable completing the mediation and agreeing on parenting arrangements for children, child maintenance, fair division of assets and debts, and spousal maintenance, you will not need an attorney during the mediation. However, it's important to note that a mediator does not provide legal advice or legal representation. It's always advisable to consult with an attorney to review the terms of your mediated agreement to ensure that they align with your best interests.
While an attorney isn't essential for mediation, you can choose to consult with an attorney during the mediation process. However, attorneys usually don't attend mediation meetings directly.
Following a successful mediation, if all divorce-related issues are resolved, you can move forward with an unopposed divorce. This process will require the assistance of an attorney to draft, issue, serve, and file the necessary legal paperwork and finalize your divorce.
Reaching an agreement through mediation is a significant step in your divorce, but it's not the final one. If you and your spouse resolve everything in mediation, you can proceed with an unopposed divorce. This will involve an attorney's help with paperwork and a court appearance. The divorce isn't finalised until a court grants your divorce decree.
Contact us
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