Why Mediate?
Many people go to court because they don’t know where else to turn. But court can take years, is stressful and requires time away from work and family. You have no control over what a judge might decide. Mediation allows you a chance to work out an agreement with your former partner, one that both of you can live with. Mediation is a confidential and affordable way for you and the other party to negotiate an agreement and settle your family law issues. If you have a court case, mediation is free in court on the day of your motion, case conference, pre-trial or trial. And whether you have a court case or not, mediation is subsidized for up to 8 hours of mediation at fees low as $5 an hour. Mediation is not the right process for everyone; some people need the authority and accountability of the court process. Our mediators are trained to help assess whether mediation can be helpful to you and safe for your family.
This was a better solution than a lengthy court process. The mediator was patient, kind and understanding.
We can mediate
- child support
- spousal support
- custody and access
- moving school or home
- changing or ending support
- support arrears
- income determination
- financial statement and disclosure issues
- property division
- grandparent access
- family disputes impacted by culture, gender, same-sex, transgender and multiple parent issues.
- including interviewing the child to hear the ‘voice of the child’.
- elder family disputes
Our Mediators
Our mediators and Information and Referral Coordinators (IRCs) are trained and insured professionals. All of our mediators are certified by a professional body, and most are specialists in either child or financial issues, or both. Our IRCs are supportive triage specialists who specialize in knowing community resources and dispute resolution options. Meet our Mediators!
Our free and subsidized mediation is:
Voluntary
No one can order you to negotiate with another person
Confidential
Subject to some exceptions, view our Agreement to Mediate
Affordable
Mediation is free if in court and subsidized for everyone whether they are in court or not, view our fee schedule
Quick
Same day mediation for all court matters
Balanced
We meet with each of you first to assess whether mediation can be safe and effective
Supportive
We work closely with other court services and agencies to support the entire family
Child-focused
We take the views and preferences of your children into account
Easy to access
We are centrally located and you can start the process online
It is important for parties to remember that family mediators do not provide legal or other advice. Both parties in mediation should have all necessary advice, legal and otherwise, before making decisions. The mediator, or the Information Referral Coordinator, can direct you to the available legal and community resources. You may qualify for free advice from the duty counsel or the advice counsel in the Family Court. See also Options for Independent Legal Advice.
Family Law Information Centres (FLIC)
You can learn much more about available services, mediation, court process, separation,
divorce and the law by visiting us at one of our Family Law Information Centres (FLIC)
47 Sheppard Avenue East Toronto, Ontario M2N 5X5
Main Floor (Just east of Yonge, south side of Sheppard)
Get Directions
