This episode of the EB & Co. Mediation podcast, featuring Emma Bradford and Charlotte Chambers, clearly outlines the five crucial areas, or 'strands,' that a separating couple must consider when navigating the breakdown of their marriage. The hosts stress that most people, having never gone through this process, are often unaware of the full scope of issues that require resolution. By addressing these five strands—which cover legal status, children, and finances—couples can move forward constructively and efficiently.

The Legal Framework and Child ArrangementsThe first strand is Divorce, which is the legal process that changes a couple's status from married to legally divorced. The hosts note that while this is often the "trigger word" that starts the separation process, it doesn't necessarily have to be the first action taken. They caution that a person's legal rights change once the final divorce paperwork is signed, which is why a solicitor would strongly advise resolving finances first. The second and third strands relate to children: Children's Arrangements (formerly custody and contact), focusing on where the children will live and when they will see each parent; and Child Maintenance, which is a separate financial issue that parents need to understand, particularly how it's calculated based on shared care and income differences.

Financial Disclosure and AffordabilityThe final two strands focus on finances. The fourth strand, Finances (assets and debts), requires couples to complete Financial Disclosure—a process of openly sharing all assets and liabilities to ensure decisions are based on fact. The hosts note that while couples can informally agree on a division at the "kitchen table," going through a formal process like mediation provides structure, ensures all assets are accounted for, and is strongly advised if they seek a legally binding agreement. The fifth strand is Affordability (income and expenditure), which is the least-understood but most crucial element. Here, the focus shifts to whether the proposed financial agreement is affordable for both parties once they are living in two separate households. As mediators, Emma and Charlotte help reality-check these decisions, ensuring the final agreement meets the needs of both parties so that a court would be likely to ratify it.

In this episode, Emma Bradford and Charlotte Chambers take a closer look at the MIAM – the Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting – which is the first step in the family mediation process. They unpack what the MIAM is really for, why it matters, and how it helps families explore whether mediation is right for them.

Emma and Charlotte reflect on the emotional state many people are in when they first attend a MIAM and explain how they gently assess each person’s situation – including any safety concerns or support needs – to ensure mediation is appropriate and safe. They discuss the meaning of “suitability,” the timing of mediation, and why each person’s readiness and understanding matters.

This episode also explores common questions like: Do I have to attend a MIAM? What does a mediator need to know? What happens if my ex doesn't know why we’re mediating? With warmth and honesty, the hosts share how the process is always designed to keep clients safe, supported, and empowered to make decisions that are right for them.

Whether you're considering mediation, supporting someone else, or simply curious about how it all works, this episode offers helpful insights into one of the most important first steps in the journey.

In this first episode of the EB & Co. Mediation Podcast, Emma Bradford and Charlotte Chambers introduce themselves and share why they became family mediators. They explore what mediation really is, how it differs from counselling or legal advice, and why it can be such a powerful and supportive process for families navigating separation and divorce.

They talk about the challenges couples face at the start of separation, including the myth of an “amicable” split, the emotional differences between the person who has initiated the separation and the person left behind, and the practical complexities of co-parenting and finances.

Emma and Charlotte explain how mediation provides a safe, neutral space to work through these issues respectfully, without escalating conflict. They highlight the unique role of mediators in combining a clear understanding of family law with empathy for the human side of separation.

Whether you’re at the start of a separation, already navigating co-parenting, or simply curious about how mediation works, this episode offers honest insights, practical guidance, and reassurance that separation does not have to mean conflict.