As facilitators, family mediators guide you through tough conversations, keep discussions on the issues you’ve agreed to address, ensure each voice is heard, and step in when dialogue becomes unproductive or disrespectful. They can share neutral, factual information about parenting after separation, family-law processes, finances, child development, and co-parenting research. To remain impartial, mediators cannot give legal or personal advice—but if you need it, they will point you toward trusted lawyers, financial specialists, or other support services.

Yes— almost always.

• Mediation fees are modest and predictable.
  Private mediators in Ontario generally charge about $150–$300 per hour, and many offer flat-fee packages. If you qualify for the government-subsidized onsite/offsite program, rates start as low as $5–$105 per hour. A typical parenting-only case can often be wrapped up for a few thousand dollars or less. 

• Court proceedings drive costs up fast.
  Even before trial, a contested family-court matter requires retainers, motions, case conferences, and multiple court appearances. Lawyer hourly rates of $350–$800 mean total legal fees commonly run $10,000 – $50,000 or more per party—and complex cases can climb far higher. 

• Time is money.
  Mediation can reach resolution in weeks; litigated cases often stretch for a year or longer, adding to fees and lost productivity. Courts themselves encourage families to try mediation first for precisely this reason.

Bottom line: if your situation is suitable for mediation, it is almost always the quicker—and far less expensive—route to a legally binding agreement in Ontario.

Agreements reached in mediation can become legally binding in a few ways:

• Consent Order: The most common route is to turn your mediated terms into a consent order, which the court signs off on and makes enforceable.

• Private Agreement: Your lawyers can draft a formal separation agreement or contract that reflects the mediation results.

• Parenting Plan: For parenting issues, you may sign a Parenting Plan—a written commitment that sets clear expectations and can later be filed with the court if you choose.

I will explain which option best suits your circumstances and guide you through the steps to finalize your agreement. In every case, it is highly recommended to seek independent legal advice.

Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting 
Your journey starts with a private a one-to-one meeting where we review your situation, assess safety and suitability, and design the most effective mediation plan for you.

Standard Joint Sessions
In most cases, you and the other party meet together with me—either on-screen or in person. Sitting in the same “room” allows real-time dialogue, lowers misunderstandings, and helps rebuild a cooperative relationship (especially important for co-parents). It’s also the quickest and most economical way to reach resolution.

Shuttle Mediation
If sharing a room feels unsafe or unworkable, we can use shuttle mediation. Each of you remains in a separate virtual room while I move between you, relaying proposals and feedback.

Tailored Options
Mediation is flexible. With everyone’s agreement, we can invite other professionals—lawyers, financial or pension advisers, domestic-abuse support workers, and more—to join specific sessions when their expertise will move negotiations forward.

Whatever format we choose, the process remains confidential, impartial, and focused on practical solutions that work for your unique circumstances.

Every family is different, so the length of the process can range from just a few meetings to several spread over weeks or even months. Simpler parenting matters might wrap up fairly quickly, while discussions that also cover finances or property usually take longer.  We’ll schedule sessions at a pace that matches the complexity of your situation and gives you enough time to gather information and reflect between meetings.

Full financial disclosure means that both parties openly share all information about their finances before negotiating money-related issues in mediation. This includes:

• Current income from every source (employment, self-employment, benefits, investments)

• Assets such as bank accounts, RRSPs/RRIFs, pensions, real estate, vehicles, businesses, and valuable personal property

• Debts and liabilities—credit cards, loans, lines of credit, taxes owing, mortgages, etc.

• Regular living expenses and any expected future costs (e.g., daycare, medical expenses, post-secondary education)

You’ll provide supporting documents—recent pay stubs, tax returns, bank and credit-card statements, property assessments, pension valuations, and so on—so that each side (and, if needed, your lawyers and the court) can verify the numbers.

Why it matters:

1. Informed decisions – Accurate information lets you craft realistic options for support, property division, and budgeting.

2. Fairness & durability – Agreements reached with full disclosure are less likely to break down or be challenged later.

3. Legal requirement – Ontario family law expects complete, honest disclosure. Withholding information can lead to reopened negotiations, court penalties, or set-aside agreements.

I will explain exactly what documents are required and won’t move into financial negotiations until both of you have exchanged the required information.

Family mediation is almost always confidential, but Ontario law and professional ethics require mediators to break that confidentiality in limited circumstances:

1. Risk of Serious Harm or Abuse – If a participant reveals that a child or any person is in danger of being harmed (including threats of self-harm), the mediator must report or act to protect safety.

2. Ongoing or Planned Criminal Activity – Disclosures about crimes that are still happening or being planned (e.g., fraud, money laundering, violence) can’t be kept confidential.

3. Court Order or Statutory Duty – A judge or specific statute (such as child-protection legislation) can compel the mediator to release information or testify.

4. Professional Consultations – Mediators may share anonymized details with supervisors or professional advisers for guidance, but these advisers are also bound by confidentiality.

5. Financial Documents in Open Mediation – In the rare event you choose “open” mediation, any financial disclosure exchanged can be used later in court.

Outside these exceptions, everything said, every offer made, and the mediator’s own notes remain private and cannot be used as evidence or discussed in court.

No. Mediation is flexible. We can start with the most urgent matters—for example, a temporary parenting schedule—and circle back to finances, property, or longer-term arrangements later. Many families find “bite-sized” sessions easier to manage and less overwhelming.

Mediation is voluntary; you can pause or stop at any time. If either party feels they need legal advice, more information, or simply a break, we can adjourn and reconvene when you’re ready. Nothing is binding until you sign the final agreement. I do not give a reason for pausing or terminating mediation to protect the privacy and confidentiality of all parties.

Yes, with advance notice. Support people can attend if both participants agree and they sign our confidentiality agreement. Their role is advisory—they do not speak for you, but they can help you feel informed and supported.

However, the mediator highly recomends not including any person that may contribute to escalation.

Absolutely. I provide remote and in-person sessions outside standard business hours so you can balance work, childcare, and other commitments.

Yes—definitely. You can come back to address new parenting challenges, financial changes, or to review your agreement as circumstances evolve. Think of mediation as an ongoing resource, not a one-time event.

Your safety is paramount. We’ll discuss tailored measures—separate arrival times, shuttle or virtual sessions, support persons, or pauses—to ensure you feel secure and heard. If a concern arises at any point, let me know and we’ll adjust immediately.

Custody (old term) has been replaced in Ontario by two clearer concepts:

• Decision-making responsibility: the authority to make major choices about a child’s health, education, culture, and activities.

• Parenting time: the periods when a child is in the care of each parent.
  Mediation helps you craft a plan that spells out both elements in detail.

I guide structured conversations, model respectful language, and introduce tools (parenting apps, agreed-upon check-ins, conflict-resolution techniques) that you can continue using after mediation. Improved communication is often the biggest long-term benefit of the process.

Bring recent pay stubs, last three years of tax returns/Notices of Assessment, bank and investment statements, pension or RRSP valuations, property appraisals/mortgage statements, and a list of debts (credit cards, loans). I’ll give you a detailed checklist so nothing is missed.

Yes—agreements should be fluid and revisited as life evolves. You can return to mediation to adjust parenting time, support amounts, or financial arrangements so they remain fair and workable for everyone involved.

You’re free to settle the points you can agree on and leave the rest for lawyers, arbitration, or court. Partial agreements still save time and money, and they can be incorporated into any later legal process.

No. It’s encouraged—some courts even require you to confirm you’ve considered it—but participation is entirely voluntary. Either party can decline or end the process at any stage.

Mediation can only proceed when both parties consent. I can explain the benefits and outline next steps, but ultimately each person must choose to participate. If one side won’t, you may need to explore negotiation through lawyers, collaborative law, or court.

Make a shortlist of your priorities, gather basic financial documents (pay stubs, recent tax returns, mortgage statements), and think about possible solutions rather than positions. Arriving with clear goals—and an open mind—sets the stage for productive discussions

Yes, through child-inclusive mediation. A specially trained professional meets your child privately, then shares the child’s views (not decisions) with the parents in a developmentally appropriate way. This can improve parenting plans and give children a sense of being heard.

I can provide a referral to a specially trained child-inclusive mediator. However, I ensure that wherever possible the best interests and wishes of the children are considered in the parenting plans and agreements.

For most families, yes. Secure video platforms allow you to join from different locations, reduce travel time, and can even lower tension by providing a comfortable home environment. We still apply the same safety screening and confidentiality standards.

Typically 60–120 minutes. Shorter meetings keep discussions focused; longer sessions can cause fatigue. We’ll set a length that fits the complexity of your issues and your stamina.

No. My role is neutral facilitation—helping you explore options, reality-check proposals, and craft solutions you both can live with. I don’t make rulings, assign blame, or provide legal advice.

Only with everyone’s consent and a signed confidentiality agreement. Their involvement is limited to providing information or support; final decisions remain with the two primary parties.

Rarely—provided both parties made full financial disclosure, received independent legal advice, and weren’t under duress. Courts are generally reluctant to disturb well-informed, voluntary agreements.