Family Mediation in Ontario

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Amanda Silver
Family Mediator, B.A., B.Ed., Acc.FM., OCT

Our Family Mediation services provide support for families going through the separation and divorce process by working to find resolutions that meet families' individual needs.

Working alongside the guidance of an Accredited Family Law Mediator, families can find creative solutions to help move their family forward. This process also provides families with the communication tools needed to lay the foundation for a healthy co-parenting relationship moving forward. Our team approach at Toronto Family Therapy & Mediation team provides families with the full range of support needed to transition through this most difficult time.

Our dedicated team comprises highly qualified professionals with extensive backgrounds in psychology, social work, family mediation, and a range of counselling services. Together, we are here to fully support you and your family through difficult times.

We offer a less expensive and faster solution compared to traditional legal processes

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Is Family Mediation Right for Me?

Family Mediation is a voluntary process that engages two parties in negotiations to reach a resolution.

To facilitate negotiations, mediation involves a neutral third party, a mediator, who assists in resolving conflicts. As an alternative dispute resolution option, family mediation is helpful for those who would like to avoid a lengthy, expensive, and adversarial Court process when dealing with their separation or divorce.

Family mediation may be right for those:

Willing to work in a collaborative setting, working together to reach a solution
Ready to consider the other party’s positions and needs
In search of a more cost-effective, expedited, less adversarial process than going to court.

During the mediation process, family mediators maintain impartiality, refraining from taking sides or making decisions for any party involved. Mediators are there to offer solutions and assist parties in coming to a resolution.

Mediators are not lawyers and cannot provide legal advice. We can provide legal information about the process, however, it is recommended to seek independent legal advice before starting mediation to ensure that you are fully informed of your rights and entitlements throughout the process.

We are here to fully support you and your family through difficult times.

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What does Family Mediation Involve?

Family mediation involves cooperation and a willingness to work together to move forward. It involves a trust in the process and an ability to compromise.

Step 1: Agreeing to Mediate

Both parties need to be willing to work together to come to a solution and legal agreement for a variety of issues. Mediation is a voluntary process and requires both parties to be willing to come to the table.

Those common reasons to seek family mediation include:

Parenting Plans
Parenting Disputes (i.e. choice of school)
Child Support
Spousal Support
Division of Property
Sale of the Matrimonial Home

Step 2: Choosing a Mediator

It is important to hire a mediator with the right qualifications and education, too. A family mediator in Ontario typically holds one or more of the following qualifications:

A law degree
A master’s in psychology, social work, mediation, or conflict resolution
A professional family mediator certification or accreditation
A university degree, plus 10 years of related professional experience

Step 3: Starting the Process

The process begins by entering into an official agreement between both parties on what conflicts and issues will be resolved through family mediation. This is the time to set the terms for the mediation schedule, who will disclose what information, and whether the mediation is open or closed.

After which, you will schedule your individual intake session with your mediator. You’ll be asked questions about the history of the relationship as well as your goals for the process.

The information gathered during this session is meant to assist the mediation, it is not shared with the other party unless you specifically ask to. It is also great opportunity to ask your mediator any questions you may have.

Open vs. Closed Mediation

In closed mediation, there is no involvement from the Ontario courts. With this, everything which occurs during the mediation process remains confidential, and cannot be used in court for any purposes.
In an open mediation process, the courts can access the documents from the mediation.
It is important to note that most mediators offer closed mediation only.

Step 4: Financial Disclosure

Exchanging financial disclosure is an important part of the separation process. Our family mediators can assist families in deciding which financial documents they will need to share as this is an important step.

Step 5: Mediation and Coming to an Agreement

As the final step of the process, the mediator will draft a memorandum of understanding of all of the decisions that were agreed upon during the mediation. These may include, but are not limited to:

Parenting plans and parenting schedules.
Child Support arrangements or variations
Spousal support calculations
Division of Net Family
Property Sale of the Matrimonial Home
Parent Coaching for Skill Development

Why Choose Family Mediation?

The most notable advantages to mediation, are the costs savings and time efficiency. Mediation is considerably less expensive than litigation. It involves limited lawyer involvement and the mediator’s fees are usually split equally between the parties. As well, our mediators have very flexible schedules, often offering evening appointments when necessary. We work at your pace and on your timeline. Full and comprehensive agreements can be completed in just a few months.

In addition to the above noted benefits, mediation is a non-adversarial process which is designed to de-escalate conflict. In contrast, the Court route is extremely litigious and adversarial.

Our goal is to keep conflict down while helping to re-build trust and communication between the parties. This in turn reduces stress on the children and lays the groundwork for a healthier co-parenting relationship moving forward. Overall, family mediation tends to be less stressful for everyone involved, supports their emotional well-being, and helps to preserve family relationships.

Lastly, unlike Court, mediation is a private process. In Canada, Court documents can easily be viewed by the public. Mediation, on the other hand, is confidential and your information is not made available to the public.

Our Family Mediation Services in Toronto, Ontario

Mediators at Toronto Family Therapy & Mediation are here to help families avoid conflict and come to faster resolutions. We are a dedicated team that supports families through all their comprehensive family mediation needs. Moreover, our professionals have a wide range of experience with a diverse group of families in Ontario, and in areas like high-conflict situations. Our goal is to make the process as stress-free and streamlined as possible for you and your family : by offering additional services such as:

Off-site mediation, including shuttle mediation
On-site mediation
Child-inclusive family mediation
Mediation with counsel present
Parenting plans
Divorce coaching; this process can be utilized by one or both parties during a mediation. As well, it is offered to parties who are not engaged in the mediation process but wish to have the support of a divorce professional throughout theirs.
Co-parenting support

If you are navigating a challenging situation like separation, divorce or any other type of family dispute, don’t hesitate to contact Toronto Family Therapy & Mediation. Our experienced team is here to support you. We offer a less expensive and faster solution compared to traditional legal processes, ensuring that your journey towards resolution is both cost-effective and efficient.

Reach out to us for guidance and support that’s tailored to you and your family’s unique needs, and let us help you move forward with confidence and peace of mind.