I am a family mediator practicing in Madrid, Spain. Originally from the USA, I have been living in Spain for a number of years and studied Family Mediation at the Unión de Asociaciones Familiares in Madrid. I collaborate with a law practice with offices in the Chamberí district, offering mediation in English and Spanish.
Mediation is a non-adversarial approach to resolving conflict. As a mediator I encourage and facilitate dialogue while remaining strictly impartial so that each person is heard and his or her point of view respected. The result is a solution that works better because both parties have participated in its making. Just as important is the confidence gained in knowing that future disagreements, should they arise, can be solved together. This is especially relevant where children are involved because parents may need to work together long after the separation or divorce is finalized.
If you would like more information or are seeking advice about your own situation, we will be glad to help. Please write to info@madridmediation.com or use the contact form.
I wish to know if you help with the subject of grandparents and access. I know it to be in the Spanish Civil Law, but I feel that Mediation is the way forward not further court action. I have supported in the UK the need for Collaborative Divorce and Mediation as a step forward, it will not put every situation right, but it can help in most cases.
Kind regards, Helen Dudden
Hi Helen,
Thank you for your question.
The issue of grandparents’ continuing contact with their grandchildren following a parent’s divorce is an important one. Many grandparents complain about being cut of from their grandchildren, usually because an ex-daughter or son in-law is impeding visits between the children and the non-custodial parent.
As a result grandparents have begun to sue for access, and some have won their cases. Getting the other party to comply with the court order, however, is another matter.
Court may not be the best place to solve these problems, as you point out. While I haven’t yet conducted mediation with grandparents I don’t see why the issue of their access could not be resolved without court involvement. Grandparents often figure largely in parenting plans, after all. Perhaps grandparents could be present during discussions about these plans. At the very least, they should have a chance to talk about their relationship with their grandchildren, and what it means to them.
If you have had any experience with grandparents in mediation, I would love to hear about it.
Thanks again.
Kind regards,
Andrea