During Separation
Develop a written parenting arrangement for where the children will live, how their time will be shared and how important decisions will be made.
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Parenting Mediation
Clear parenting arrangements, written down.
For parents who are separating, already separated or finding that an existing arrangement no longer works. Parenting mediation helps you make practical decisions for your children and record the agreements reached in a clear written draft Parenting Agreement.
The Government of Alberta states that a parenting agreement does not have to be changed in court. Parents can negotiate a new agreement themselves and can use family mediation when they are having difficulty reaching agreement.
When parenting mediation can help
Create a new plan or improve the one you already have.
Parenting arrangements need to be specific enough to guide everyday life while remaining practical for the family using them.
After Separation
Resolve recurring disagreements, fill gaps in an informal arrangement or establish clearer expectations where communication has become difficult.
When Circumstances Change
Revise an existing parenting agreement when children grow, schedules change, families relocate or the current arrangement is no longer workable.
What your Parenting Agreement can cover
Turn recurring questions into clear expectations.
Regular Parenting Time
Weekday and weekend schedules, start and end times, transportation and the practical details of transitions.
Holidays and School Breaks
Holidays, birthdays, summer vacation, school closures, special occasions and how annual schedules will be confirmed.
Decision-Making
How decisions involving education, healthcare, activities, culture, religion and other important areas will be made.
Communication
How parents will share information, respond to non-urgent matters, manage schedule changes and communicate about the children.
Exchanges and Transportation
Locations, responsibilities, timing, school-based exchanges and arrangements that reduce unnecessary conflict.
School and Activities
School involvement, appointments, extracurricular activities, attendance, transportation and access to records and information.
Travel and Relocation
Notice, itineraries, travel documents, out-of-province travel and how proposed moves will be discussed.
Shared Child-Related Expenses
How agreed expenses will be approved, documented, reimbursed and reviewed as the children’s needs change.
Future Changes
A practical process for reviewing the agreement, addressing new circumstances and resolving future disagreements.
Fees
Straightforward hourly pricing.
$160 per participant, per hour + GST
This reflects two participants sharing the $320 hourly fee equally. Participants may agree to divide the cost differently.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about parenting mediation.
Do we need to be newly separated?
No. Parenting mediation can help while parents are separating, after they have been apart for some time or whenever an existing arrangement needs to be clarified or revised.
Can we change our existing parenting agreement?
Yes. Parents can use mediation to negotiate changes when an existing agreement no longer meets the family’s needs. Where agreement is reached, Resolve can prepare a written draft Parenting Agreement reflecting the decisions made by the parents. If an existing court order needs to be changed, additional court steps are required.
What if we already have a court order?
Parents can mediate proposed changes, but a private parenting agreement does not replace an existing court order. The existing order remains in effect unless it is formally changed by the court. Agreed terms can be used when applying for a new consent order.
Do we have to agree on everything?
No. Mediation can still clarify the issues, record the areas where agreement is reached and identify what remains unresolved.
Can the agreement include very detailed arrangements?
Yes. The agreement can address regular schedules as well as holidays, travel, exchanges, communication, activities, expenses and a process for future changes.
Can mediation help when communication is difficult?
Often, yes. Mediation provides a structured setting and can focus the discussion on specific parenting decisions. Suitability and any safety or power concerns are considered before mediation proceeds.
Is parenting mediation confidential?
Parenting mediation is generally private and confidential under the mediation agreement, subject to the legal and professional exceptions explained during intake.