Family mediation is a method of conflict resolution in which an impartial mediator helps spouses/parents negotiate a fair and equitable agreement. This approach allows in-depth exploration of each party’s needs, and enables participants to choose the solution that best protects the interests of all family members. Mediation may be subsidized by the government. Contact us to discuss eligibility.

What is family mediation?
Family mediation is a means for resolving conflicts in which the impartial mediator intervenes with spouses to help them evaluate whether they should put an end to their relationship or negotiate a viable and fair agreement that meets the needs of every member of the family with the free, informed consent of both parties.

Contrary to what often happens during a court process, mediation promotes collaboration instead of confrontation and brings many benefits. Thus, the possibility for parties to have control over the decisions that will affect their family life, financial savings in respect to court procedures, avoiding public divulging of family problems as well as reducing stress for the children by mitigating conflict. Research shows that compliance toward mediated agreements is higher than judgments imposed by the court and that legal proceedings are less frequent after divorce.

The mediation process involves three key stages: The collection of information, an evaluation phase, and negotiations plus the drafting of the Summary of Mediated Agreements by the mediator. During the evaluation and negotiation stages, the mediator will ensure that both parents communicate their needs and expectations freely and fully to each other and consider the children’s needs in order to provide a basis for negotiation that is both equitable and informed. Parents can chose a mediator from one of the six Orders; lawyers, notaries, guidance counsellors, psychologists, social workers, psychoeducators.

What are the advantages of mediation?
Family mediation helps reduce conflicts in connection with an application for custody, access and outing rights, support payments or the division of property. In addition, it helps parents take responsibility for the decision-making process.

Family mediation will help you:

• Work together to define a parenting plan tailor-made for your family
• Establish effective parental communications with respect to your children
• Take your children’s interest into account, along with the interest of each parent
• Protect the image of the other parent
• Make free and enlightened decisions about all aspects of your separation
• The agreement you negotiate will ensure that your children react positively to your separation and will give you some influence over decisions that concern you, while helping you to fully exercise your parental responsibilities. However, in some situations family mediation is unlikely to be appropriate, including situations involving domestic violence

What does a family mediator do?
The mediator’s role is to ensure that each spouse freely and fully communicate their needs and expectations to each other, so that mediation is conducted on a fair and informed basis. The mediator does not make any decision on behalf of either party. The solutions come from the parties themselves, they are never imposed. However, the mediator may suggest in some cases to consult another professional, depending on the nature of the dispute.