Family Mediation
Whether it's inheritance, care, advance care directives, or sibling conflicts – I help families resolve these issues before they permanently damage their cohesion. Schedule an initial consultationOur approachCommercial Judge
Hanover Regional Court
Member of the Senior Citizens' Advisory Council
State Capital Hanover
Certified Mediator
pursuant to § 5 MediationsG / ZMediatAusbV
Typical Conflicts
When families come to me
Most conflicts in family life simmer for a long time before someone seeks an open conversation. I help families have precisely this conversation – before tensions turn into lasting rifts.
Inheritance & Advance Care
- A child has accompanied the parents for years – yet everyone is expected to receive an equal share of the inheritance
- Lifetime gifts cause distrust and reawaken old hurts
- The property is to be transferred, but the siblings are not pulling together
- Who is allowed to use the advance care directive – and from when is someone considered no longer capable of making decisions?
Living & Neighborhood
- Ongoing conflicts with housemates or management in senior residences burden daily life
- Barrier-free modifications are necessary, but homeowners or other co-owners block them
- A residential community that functioned for decades suddenly escalates in old age
- Neighborhood conflicts become unbearable when you spend more time at home
Care & Family
- One daughter bears the entire care burden, while the other siblings make themselves scarce
- No one openly discusses that a parent might no longer be able to live alone
- The question of whether a care home is the right decision divides the family
- Dissatisfaction with caregivers quietly grows – and eventually erupts in the wrong place
Generational Conflicts
- Parents and adult children have fundamentally different ideas about how life should be lived
- How grandchildren should be raised creates friction between grandparents and parents
- A parent insists on living alone – the children are seriously concerned
- The family knows something needs to be said – but doesn’t dare to address the topic
My Approach
How I work
I decide nothing and I judge no one. My task is to facilitate the conversation that the family has not yet been able to have – so that in the end, there is a solution that everyone can support.
Neutral
I take no sides – and that is my most important quality. All parties can be sure that I listen to them equally, without judgment.
Confidential
What is said stays in the room. No minutes, no court, no disclosure. Only this security creates the space to speak truly openly.
You decide
I facilitate – the solution comes from you. No external directive, no judgment. No halfway compromise, but genuine consensus – an agreement that everyone truly stands behind.
Keeping Families Together
A court decides who is right. Mediation decides how to move forward – in a way that allows the family to still communicate afterwards.
Let's talk...
The first consultation costs you nothing – neither money nor a decision. I listen, and we jointly assess whether mediation is the right path for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Family Mediation
What does family mediation cost?
A mediation session typically lasts 90 minutes. My costs start at €120.00 per session – when divided among all parties, often significantly less than a single lawyer’s appointment. Since family conflicts can usually be resolved in three to six sessions, the total costs are manageable. In my initial consultation, I will transparently explain what you can expect.
How long does mediation take?
Most family mediations are completed after three to six sessions – which corresponds to a period of four to twelve weeks, depending on appointment availability and the complexity of the conflict. This stands in stark contrast to court proceedings, which can take months or years. The speed also depends on how openly all parties approach a solution.
How does family mediation work?
It begins with a free initial consultation, where I understand the conflict and your expectations. Afterwards, we meet in structured sessions – often separately at first, then together – where each side has a chance to speak. I facilitate the conversation, but I make no decisions: you develop the solution yourselves. The process concludes with a written agreement signed by all parties.
Is mediation also useful in inheritance disputes?
Yes – especially in inheritance disputes, mediation is often the better choice. Court proceedings can block an inheritance for years, permanently destroy relationships, and consume a large part of the assets in legal and court fees. In mediation, all parties can openly discuss their actual interests – not just legal claims. This enables solutions that a court would never order, such as fair divisions of family heirlooms or amicable arrangements for the care of relatives.
What happens if the other party doesn't want mediation?
Mediation requires the willingness of all parties; it cannot force anyone. What I can offer you: In a confidential initial consultation, I help you assess the situation and – if desired – draft an initial letter inviting the other party without creating pressure. Often, this is enough to persuade an initially reluctant party to participate.
What distinguishes mediation from a lawyer or court?
A lawyer represents your interests against the other side. A court decides according to law, not according to what is fair for everyone. A mediator helps both sides jointly find a solution that everyone can support. The result is more sustainable because it was not imposed but developed by yourselves. And the process saves nerves, time, and family relationships – especially important if you still need to get along after the conflict.
What families say about working together
“My sister and I hadn’t spoken for months after our mother’s death. Through mediation with Mr. Caminades, we not only found a fair agreement on the inheritance, but we also saved our relationship. He made both sides feel heard, without ever taking sides.”
“When the question arose of who would care for my father and how the house would be managed, our family was on the verge of falling apart. Mr. Caminades led the process calmly and structured. What particularly impressed me: He truly understands the life situation of older people – you notice it immediately.”
“We were skeptical whether mediation could achieve anything in such a deadlocked dispute. After three sessions, we had a solution we never would have reached on our own. Mr. Caminades creates an atmosphere where people can talk to each other again – instead of talking past each other.”
