A mediator is a person trained to help you agree on your issues without taking sides. They help you and your partner during your negotiation to try and reach an agreement.

Mediators don’t make decisions and don’t force you or your partner to agree. They help you to speak with each other and to understand each other’s position. Their goal is to help you both compromise and agree on things.

Who can mediate

Some lawyers, social workers, and other professionals are trained to mediate

A separation agreement, is a written contract that partners can make after they have separated or divorced that says how they will deal with their issues. For example, it can say how much spousal support and child support one partner will pay the other, and who will have custody of or access to the children. A separation agreement can deal with some or all of your family issues.

Mediation Sessions

The mediator outline the rules, goals and process of mediation, and remind participants of the importance of communication and cooperation in reaching a settlement.

The mediation process begins with individual sessions so each party can freely express their perspective in the absence of the other party.

At this point the mediation process will proceed to joint sessions where the participants review and confirm the ground rules and goals of the mediation.

The contract to mediate includes all issues that require help with:

The mediator will facilitate a series of discussions leading to an agreement on issues outlined in the contract. Most discussions are conducted with the parties in the same room.

In some instances the parties will be in separate locations throughout the process and the shuttle method is applied which involves participants staying in their separate locations while the mediator navigates back and forth between parties.

Each step may be repeated as many times as needed. It usually takes multiple sessions to reach a final agreement.

Each party is responsible for 50% of the fees for Mediation.