After over a year of drawn-out communication between stbx and myself via our solicitors, we are now going to mediation. We have got as far as decree nisi and DC are sorted (he is paying maintenance following a push via my solicitor)).
We exchanged all the finance stuff and got as far as a proposal and a counter proposal. We are not worth a massive amount depending on how you look at it, but because it has taken so long to get to this point (not my fault) my solicitor has now suggested this.
I have tried to research this and have the following queries if anyone can help
-
Is mediation paid for jointly, and if there are extra charges incurred through, for example, one side cancelling/not attending an appointment, who pays?
-
Are our solicitors present, or do we report back to them?
-
If one side does not turn up to even the initial meeting, can it then proceed to court?
-
If the mediator cannot give advice, how can this be resolved? Is it really down to me and stbx to make the decisions?
-
could an agreement be reached, and then one side go back on it?
I realise it is all about being reasonable, but incredibly difficult to deal with someone who claims to know nothing about finances, is incredibly busy, takes 5 months to reply to a query, and who really, really would cut off his nose to spite his face (just a touch of sarcasm there!).
I would be so grateful for any help or useful advice given as I know there are those of you on here with the relevant experience to do so.