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Frequently Asked Questions
GUIDING YOU TOWARD RESOLUTION
Mediation is a voluntary, confidential process that allows participants to express concerns and address conflict in a safe setting. The impartial mediator guides the conversation, facilitates open communication, ensures everyone is heard, and encourages the participants to discuss options and solutions, with the intent to create agreements that reflect their family's needs.
The first individual meeting is an opportunity to discuss your concerns, understand the issues you are facing, and determine if mediation is the right process and appropriate in your situation. I will explain the process and provide any helpful information, as well as connect you to other available resources if wanted .
Mediation fees are $190 per hour.
Costs are typically shared between participants, but subject to the participants' discretion. Fees are subject to GST and can be paid via e-transfer, cheque, or credit card.
Payment is required before or at the start of the session unless covered as a disbursement from a lawyer’s office.
In some cases, mediation is not the right approach for you.
My primary concern and legal obligation is to make sure that my clients are safe and feel supported. As part of my individual interview, I will discuss with you any concerns for your or your child(ren)’s safety and assess if mediation is appropriate.
If I or either one identifies the need for safety intervention, or sees benefits of seeking counselling or other interventions, please be assured that I am well connected within the community for appropriate referrals.
While legal representation is not required, I always encourage my clients to consult with legal counsel during or after the mediation process.
Some individuals choose to have their lawyer present at mediation to ensure they fully understand the legal aspects of the agreement, and I fully embrace such practice if both parties agree, and the process is balanced.
Albeit sometimes lawyers offer mediation services, there are distinctions between a mediator and a lawyer. Both may play important roles in legal matters. A lawyer is trained to provide legal counsel, represent clients in court, and advocate for their client’s interests.
Lawyers can give legal advice and represent you in legal proceedings, while impartial mediators focus on fostering communication and helping you reach a resolution outside of the courtroom.
As a certified mediator, I will provide you with the legal information you need to make legally sound decisions that reflect the law.
I cannot not give you advice and tell you what you should do; instead, I am here to empower my clients to reach their own agreements and resolve their disputes in a collaborative and non-adversarial manner.
Unlike court, where a judge makes decisions for you, mediation puts you in control. It’s a collaborative process where both parties work together to find a solution that works for them, rather than relying on a third party to dictate the terms.
Mediation is also more cost-effective and timely. Litigation can be financially and emotionally draining, whereas the costs of my services are significantly lower than legal and court fees.
The process very much depends on the complexity of the issues being addressed and the level of conflict.
Whereas some clients benefit from solely an individual meeting to gather information and never move on to joint sessions, other clients find only 1-2 joint meetings suffice to formulate an agreement. Yet others may need a few more meetings to ensure all concerns are fully addressed.
Being a private practice and in full control over my availability, I am dedicated to only handle a small case load. This ensures I can give my full attention to your family, our correspondence will be timely and meetings can be arranged to fit your schedule.
General
General
Family mediation is a flexible and child-focused process that allows parents to address a wide range of issues in a respectful, structured setting. As a Certified Family Relations Mediator, I am qualified to assist families in discussing and resolving many of the legal and practical matters that arise during separation, divorce, or family restructuring.
These issues may include, but are not limited to:
• Parental responsibilities and decision-making, including how major decisions about education, health care, culture, and extracurricular activities will be made
• Parenting time arrangements, such as schedules, holidays, vacations, and transitions between homes
• Communication guidelines, helping parents establish clear, respectful, and child-centred ways to communicate with one another
• Child support, including understanding obligations and discussing practical arrangements
• Spousal support, where appropriate
• Parenting plans, both short-term and long-term
• Co-parenting challenges, including differing parenting styles, boundaries, and conflict management
• Adjustments over time, as children’s needs and family circumstances change
My family mediation practice also provides space for parents to bring forward any matters related to their child(ren) that are important to them, even if those concerns fall outside strictly legal categories. This may include routines, schooling concerns, emotional well-being, introductions of new partners, or how extended family members are involved in the children’s lives.
The goal of family mediation is not only to reach workable agreements, but to support parents in developing clear, durable arrangements that prioritize the best interests of their children and promote healthier communication moving forward.
Agreements reached in family mediation are not automatically legally binding, but they can become so. When parents reach an agreement in mediation, the terms are usually written into an informal Memorandum of Understanding.
Each party is then encouraged to obtain independent legal advice before signing and finalizing the agreement.
Once reviewed by lawyers and properly executed, the agreement can be made legally binding and, where appropriate, filed with the court or incorporated into a separation agreement or divorce order.
Mediation offers parents the opportunity to create customized, child-focused solutions rather than having decisions imposed by a judge. The process emphasizes informed decision-making, transparency, and fairness, while still respecting the legal framework that governs family matters.
Family Mediation
Family Mediation
Elder Mediation
Elder mediation differs from other forms of mediation because it is person-centred, preventative, and wellness-oriented, with a focus on the older adult’s voice, dignity, and lived experience.
While many mediations focus on resolving a single dispute, elder mediation often addresses complex, ongoing family dynamics involving multiple stakeholders—such as the older adult, family members, caregivers, and professionals.
Elder mediation is typically trauma- and grief-informed, recognizing that conflict may be shaped by anticipatory grief, loss of independence, health changes, or past family wounds. Rather than emphasizing positions or legal outcomes alone, elder mediation supports understanding, relationship repair, and future planning, helping families make thoughtful decisions before crises escalate.
Elder mediation is most effective before a crisis occurs, but it can be helpful at many points of transition. Families often turn to elder mediation when there are emerging concerns about health, independence, caregiving roles, finances, or changing family dynamics—and when conversations are becoming difficult or emotionally charged.
Common times to consider elder mediation include:
• Signs of family disagreement about care, living arrangements, or decision-making
• When an older adult’s needs or abilities are changing, but capacity is still present
• During role transitions, such as adult children taking on caregiving responsibilities
• When there is tension or miscommunication between family members or professionals
• When families want to plan ahead and reduce the risk of future conflict
Elder mediation provides a structured, supportive space where the older adult’s voice remains central, and where families can have proactive, respectful conversations before decisions become urgent. By addressing concerns early, elder mediation can help preserve relationships, support well-being, and create clearer plans for the future.
Schedule a Free Consultation Call
If you would like to explore if mediation and my approach is the right fit for you, please feel free to connect. I offer a free, confidential 15 minute conversation to answer any of your questions.
The Process of Mediation
Mediation can seem complex, but it doesn’t have to be. Here, I have gathered answers to some of the most common questions to help you understand the process, how it works, and how it can benefit you.
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