Family Mediation in Canada
Resolve your family law issues faster, cheaper, and with less conflict through mediation. You control the outcome, not a judge.
Benefits of Mediation
Why mediation is often the better choice for separating families
Cost-Effective
Mediation costs $150-$400/hour split between parties. Compare to $15,000-$80,000+ in legal fees for contested court
Faster Resolution
Most mediations resolve in 4-10 hours over 2-4 sessions. Court cases take 12-24+ months
You Control Outcome
You make decisions, not a judge. Agreements tailored to your family's unique needs
Confidential & Private
Discussions are confidential and "without prejudice". Nothing said can be used in court later
Preserves Relationships
Collaborative process focused on interests, not positions. Better for co-parenting long-term
Enforceable Agreements
Mediated agreements can be made into court orders or binding separation agreements
Mediation Process
Step-by-step guide from first contact to signed agreement
Initial Contact
Contact mediator or mediation service. Discuss your situation, mediation process, costs. Schedule intake appointments.
Individual Intake
Mediator meets each party separately to assess suitability, screen for power imbalances/violence, explain process.
First Joint Session
Both parties meet with mediator. Identify issues, set agenda, establish ground rules, begin discussions.
Subsequent Sessions
Work through issues: parenting, property, support. Mediator helps generate options, reality-test proposals, find common ground.
Financial Disclosure
Exchange Financial Statements and documents. Mediator helps calculate support using Guidelines/SSAG.
Drafting Agreement
Once terms agreed, mediator drafts Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or Separation Agreement.
Independent Legal Advice
Each party takes agreement to own lawyer for independent legal advice before signing.
Signing & Court Order
Sign final agreement. Can be filed with court as consent order or kept as contract.
Provincial Mediation Services
Find mediation services across Canada
- Family Justice Centres (BC) - free or low-cost mediation
- Family Mediation Canada - national directory of qualified mediators
- Ontario Association for Family Mediation (OAFM)
- Médiation Familiale Quebec - subsidized mediation (first 5 hours free)
- Alberta Family Mediation Society
- Legal aid mediation programs (means-tested)
- Private mediators (fee-for-service)
- Court-connected mediation programs
When Mediation May Not Be Appropriate
Situations where court may be necessary
- Active family violence or safety concerns (unless shuttle mediation with safety protocols)
- Significant power imbalance that cannot be managed
- One party has serious mental health/addiction issues preventing participation
- One party refuses to participate in good faith
- Complex business valuations requiring adversarial discovery
- Urgent need for court protection orders
- Criminal charges related to family violence
- One party hiding assets and refusing disclosure
Frequently Asked Questions
Prepare for Successful Mediation
Splitifi helps you organize financials, calculate support amounts, and prepare proposals - so you walk into mediation ready to negotiate effectively.