FMC-registered family mediators, by video across England and WalesFree 10-minute call: 0330 043 6360

Mediation for finances and property

Financial mediation helps separating couples agree how to divide the family home, savings, pensions, debts and maintenance. You both share full financial information, your mediator helps you explore fair options, and the agreement can be made legally binding through a consent order.

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What financial mediation can cover

  • The family home: whether it is sold, transferred or kept until the children are older
  • Savings, investments and other property
  • Pensions, which are often one of the largest assets
  • Debts, loans and credit cards
  • Spousal maintenance and child maintenance
  • Business interests and inheritances

How it works

  1. Your MIAM. Each of you meets the mediator separately to check mediation is suitable.
  2. Financial disclosure. You both complete a full picture of your finances, with supporting documents. We prepare this as an Open Financial Statement (OFS).
  3. Exploring options. In joint or shuttle sessions, your mediator helps you test options against both your needs and the children's.
  4. Your agreement. We record what you agree in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
  5. Making it binding. A solicitor turns the MOU into a consent order for the court to approve.

What it costs

A typical financial mediation comes to about £955 per person: a MIAM (£130), three joint sessions (£195 each), an Open Financial Statement (£110) and a Memorandum of Understanding (£130). In shuttle format it is about £1,240 per person. No VAT is charged. Solicitor's fees for a consent order are separate.

Ark also offers a fixed-fee legal package with a partner law firm, covering independent legal advice and the consent order. See packages.

Mediators are impartial and cannot give either of you legal advice. We recommend you each take independent legal advice before finalising a financial agreement. Our hybrid mediation brings solicitors into the room.

Useful guides: 10 steps to a financial settlement, how spousal maintenance works and getting a consent order.

Frequently asked questions

Is a financial agreement from mediation legally binding?

Not by itself. Your Memorandum of Understanding records what you agreed. A solicitor can then draft a consent order for the court to approve, which makes it legally binding. Without one, either of you could bring a financial claim in the future.

What if my ex hides assets?

Mediation relies on full and frank disclosure, backed by documents such as bank statements, pension valuations and payslips. If it becomes clear someone is not being open, the mediator will address it, and mediation may not continue.

Do we need to be divorced first?

No. You can mediate finances before, during or after divorce proceedings, and many couples start early. However, a consent order can only be approved once the divorce has reached the conditional order stage.

Can you help with spousal and child maintenance?

Yes. Mediation can cover both spousal maintenance and child maintenance. You can decide how much is paid and for how long, and whether to agree child maintenance directly between you rather than through the Child Maintenance Service.

What if we have significant or complex assets?

We offer complex asset mediation for property portfolios, businesses, trusts, pensions and overseas assets. Independent valuations and specialist advice from accountants or financial advisers can be brought in where needed.

Related services

Book your free 10-minute call

Tell us a little about your situation and a mediator will call you back, usually the same working day.

  1. Send us a few details
  2. A mediator calls you back at a time that suits you
  3. No obligation, and nothing is shared with your ex-partner

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