Save Time
Work through the issues in focused, scheduled sessions rather than prolonged correspondence and multiple court steps.
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Separation & Divorce Mediation
A structured way to make difficult decisions.
Separation can bring parenting, financial and practical questions all at once. Mediation provides a focused process for working through those decisions, reducing conflict and creating a clear, workable path forward.
Justice Canada notes that resolving family matters through agreement can be considerably faster and less expensive than proceeding through court.
Why mediation?
Mediation can save substantial time, money and stress.
Separation is difficult enough without every disagreement becoming a prolonged exchange or court proceeding. Mediation allows participants to address the decisions directly with the assistance of one neutral professional.
Instead of giving control of the outcome to someone else, you remain directly involved in decisions affecting your children, finances, property and future.
Control Costs
Share the cost of one neutral mediator, know the rate in advance and concentrate professional time on resolving the decisions that matter.
Reduce Stress and Conflict
Address difficult subjects in a private, structured setting designed to keep discussions respectful, organized and productive.
Keep Decisions in Your Hands
A mediator does not impose an outcome. The participants consider the available options and decide what will work for their family.
Exactly what you receive
More than a conversation. A defined process with clear outcomes.
An Initial Conversation
Begin with a short, private conversation about your circumstances, what needs to be resolved and whether mediation may be appropriate.
A Private Intake for Each Participant
Each person has an opportunity to explain their concerns privately, ask questions and prepare for the mediation process.
A Clear Mediation Agenda
The issues requiring decisions are identified in advance. This keeps the process organized and ensures that important subjects are not overlooked.
Structured Mediation Sessions
The issues are addressed systematically in a neutral setting. Each participant has an opportunity to explain their concerns, consider practical options and participate in the decisions.
A Written Draft Agreement
Where agreement is reached, Resolve can prepare a written draft separation agreement reflecting the terms decided by the participants. If only some issues are resolved, the document can record those decisions and identify what remains outstanding.
What we can help you resolve
Build the agenda around the decisions facing your family.
Parenting Arrangements
Develop practical parenting schedules covering regular parenting time, weekends, holidays, school breaks and special occasions.
Decision-Making Responsibilities
Clarify how important decisions involving education, healthcare, activities, travel and other areas of a child’s life will be made.
Communication and Exchanges
Establish workable expectations for communication, transportation, exchanges, schedule changes and sharing important information.
Child Support and Shared Expenses
Address income information, child support and the sharing of childcare, healthcare, educational and extracurricular expenses.
Spousal Support
Identify the questions, information and options that need to be considered when discussing spousal or partner support.
The Family Home
Discuss interim possession, sale, refinancing, a potential buyout, household expenses and the practical timing of any transition.
Property, Assets and Debts
Identify property, savings, pensions, investments, vehicles, businesses, debts and other financial matters requiring decisions.
Interim Arrangements
Create temporary arrangements for parenting, expenses, property and responsibilities while longer-term decisions are considered.
Practical Next Steps
Establish timelines, responsibilities, outstanding tasks and a clear plan for moving forward.
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 separation and divorce mediation.
Do we need lawyers to participate?
A lawyer is not required to attend mediation. Resolve does not provide legal advice or legal representation. Independent legal advice is strongly recommended before a final agreement is signed and may be required for certain family-property terms.
Can Resolve prepare our separation agreement?
Yes. Where agreement is reached, Resolve can prepare a written draft separation agreement reflecting the terms decided by the participants. A separation agreement can be created without going to court; however, a divorce must be granted by the court. Resolve does not provide legal advice, and participants are strongly encouraged to have separate lawyers review the draft before signing. Agreements involving family property may require additional legal formalities to be enforceable.
Can the results of mediation be used to obtain a divorce?
Yes. The decisions recorded through mediation can be used to prepare an uncontested divorce application and related consent documents. The mediation itself does not legally end a marriage. Only a court can grant a divorce.
Can parenting or support terms be turned into a court order?
Participants who agree on parenting, child support or spousal support may apply to have those terms made into a consent order. The required court documents must still be completed, signed and filed, and the court decides whether to grant the order.
What if we agree on only some issues?
Reaching a complete agreement is not required for mediation to be useful. Resolve can record the issues resolved, identify what remains outstanding and clarify the next steps. A draft agreement will include only the terms accepted by both participants.
How many mediation sessions will we need?
That depends on the number and complexity of the issues, the information available and the participants’ readiness to make decisions. Some matters can be addressed in one focused session, while comprehensive or complicated separations may require additional sessions.
Is mediation confidential?
Mediation is generally private and confidential under the mediation agreement, subject to the legal and professional exceptions explained during intake.
Can mediation work when conflict is high?
High conflict does not automatically make mediation unsuitable. Before mediation begins, Resolve considers whether each participant can take part safely, voluntarily and meaningfully. Mediation may not be appropriate where safety concerns, coercion or a significant power imbalance prevent fair participation.