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Family Mediation in Spain
The latest official figures indicate that approximately 300,000 British citizens live in Spain, although some estimates suggest that the real number of UK nationals who have established their residence in the country could be closer to one million. For many people, a life in the sun represents the ultimate dream, often achieved upon retirement after more than thirty years of working in the cold and grey climate of the United Kingdom.
The first six months are often described as a true “honeymoon period”: daily trips to the beach, new friendships formed in Spanish classes, and the excitement of beginning a new chapter in life. However, for many couples the transition is not as easy as they initially expected. As the months pass, the novelty fades and certain challenges begin to appear. Living in Spain also comes with sacrifices, such as the distance from close family and friends and the absence of support networks that were once part of everyday life. In addition, many couples go from seeing each other only for a few hours after work and on weekends to spending 24 hours a day together.
This change can come as a shock to the system and may create tension in any relationship. Some couples adapt successfully to this new dynamic, while others struggle to do so, which can lead to a permanent separation. When this happens, it is important to seek professional advice to understand the next steps.
Mediation is not marriage counselling!
It is important to clarify that family mediation is not a form of marriage counselling. Its purpose is to assist individuals who have already decided that their relationship has come to an end and need help managing the separation in a constructive way. Mediation is often an alternative to traditional court proceedings, which typically involve hiring separate divorce lawyers and can be lengthy and expensive.
At Pellicer & Heredia, our law firm offers family mediation services through accredited professionals who act in a neutral and impartial manner, helping couples address issues such as the division of financial assets and arrangements for children, when minors are involved.
What is Mediation?
Divorce or separation is never easy, but mediation can help make this transition clearer, faster, and less confrontational for everyone involved. Through this process, couples are encouraged to communicate more effectively and work together to develop agreements about their future, rather than leaving those decisions entirely in the hands of the courts.
At Pellicer & Heredia, we believe that the people involved in the relationship understand their circumstances better than anyone else. Mediation therefore allows them to retain control over the decisions that affect both their present and their future, encouraging balanced and mutually agreed solutions.
The mediation process is relatively simple and is usually faster and more cost-effective than going to court. The first step typically involves attending Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings (MIAMs), where each party explains their situation and the issues they wish to resolve. These meetings are usually held separately so that each person can discuss their circumstances openly.
If mediation is considered appropriate for the case, joint sessions are then arranged. These meetings can take place face-to-face, through a shuttle mediation process (where each party remains in a separate room and the mediator moves between them), or online, which can be particularly useful when the parties live far apart or in different countries.
At the end of each mediation session, both parties receive a written record of the discussions and agreements reached. These agreements can later be formalised in documents such as parenting plans, when issues relating to children are involved, or financial agreements, when addressing the division of assets and financial responsibilities.
At Pellicer & Heredia, we support our clients throughout the entire family mediation process, providing a professional, confidential, and solution-focused approach that helps both parties move forward with greater clarity and confidence into the next stage of their lives.
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