What is Mediation?
- Mediation is a voluntary process in which a neutral third party assists former spouses in the negotiation of a mutually acceptable agreement.
- Mediation provides a safe and structured environment to resolve family issues that may include parenting plans, child support, spousal support, and division of property.
- The former spouses have control over the outcome. No decisions or outcomes are imposed on them as it is the former spouses that together make any decisions in the mediation process.
- Parties can attend mediation on their own or with lawyers present. If parties attend mediation on their own then they may choose to consult a lawyer throughout the mediation process.
- Parties will need to obtain independent legal advice on any settlement reached in mediation.
Benefits of Mediation:
Cost Effective
- Each party shares in the cost of the mediator.
Time Effective
- Mediation Sessions are scheduled as soon as possible versus the long wait for a matter to get a court date.
Client Centred and Family Focused
- It is your process so you choose what issues are discussed in mediation. Discussions can include matters that are big or small and do not need to be limited to matters that are only relevant at law.
Creative Process:
- While resolutions in mediation do consider the legal model, you are not restricted by what a court could do in your matter but rather you are able to come up with creative resolutions that work for you and your family.
Confidential
- Mediation is “closed”, meaning it is confidential, so that parties are able to have full and frank discussions on issues without worrying about it being used against them if the matter were to proceed to court.
The Mediation Process:
Individual initial intake meetings are scheduled with each party and the mediator. The purpose of these individual meetings is for the mediator to assess whether your matter is appropriate for mediation, identify issues to be discussed, and to assist each party with understanding the process.
Once it is determined that mediation is an appropriate process for you and your family then the first joint mediation session is scheduled.
Mediation Sessions can be held at any of our offices