Why Choose Mediation?

Mediation offers peaceful, personal, and private solutions that saves you time, money, and stress.

Peaceful: Mediation, and especially Early Mediation, promotes peaceful conflict resolution. People going through divorce or other family conflicts understandably have strong emotions, and many people are still working through the issues and problems that led them to the decision they have made. However, they must focus on making decisions about the future. The mediator helps them to do this, and creates a respectful environment where each party can be heard and where thoughtful decisions can be made.

Personal: If an agreement is not reached at mediation, a Judge may end up making a decision for you. Judges make very general assessments, and must follow specific principles of law in making their rulings. If however, you reach a creative agreement at Mediation, that is very specific and applicable to your situation, the Court will generally approve of the agreement and make it enforceable. This allows you to find ways to make the very best of a difficult situation.

Private: Any information presented to the Court is a matter of public record, and could possibly be discovered by your children, other family members, or others. In contrast, there are Court Rules governing mediation that require that information presented during mediation be kept confidential.

Saves time: When people go to mediation early, it can help them to quickly identify areas where more information is needed, leading them to be able to work more efficiently and effectively toward a settlement. For example, there may be a need to obtain an appraisal for a piece of real estate, or more information about school systems. People can agree in mediation as to how they will resolve questions like this and proceed to get the information they need. Mediation can also help them to truly understand areas where they already agree and areas where they need to focus their time and attention on reaching agreement.

Saves money: Many people are concerned that adding a mediator is simply adding another cost to an already expensive process. However, the mediator can help to make the process as efficient and effective as possible, and thereby reduce overall costs. Also, many people unfortunately experience costs after their case is resolved – going back and trying to get the court to make changes or to enforce the terms of their case. Mediation can help reduce those long term costs by ensuring that people know and understand what they are agreeing to do.

  Saves stress: There is no denying that going through divorce or any family conflict is stressful. However, knowledge can help to minimize stress and that is one of the things that is gained in mediation. Through discussion of the issues, there is a chance to know more about where people really agree and where they really disagree and to work hard on building understanding and solutions.

Save time, money, and stress by contacting a mediator at Whole Life Counselling & Mediation today.

What is Mediation?

Mediation is a process used to help people reach agreements. In this process, a neutral, trained mediator works with people to discuss all of the issues related to their family conflict, to explore possible options for settlement, and to identify solutions that best meet the needs of each person involved.

When can Mediation be done?

Mediation can take place at any stage in a situation, and we believe that the earlier it is considered, the better. For example, when people make a decision to divorce, they are at a critical point. Before any money is spent, or any commitment is made by either person to work with a particular attorney, the benefits of mediation should be considered. If mediation sounds like a good fit, both people can then seek out attorneys who are supportive of mediation to consult with them and advise them as to their specific situation. We believe that this approach can lead to peaceful, personal, and private solutions that most often save time, money, and stress.

If mediation is not considered until later in the process, there may have been significant time and money spent without reaching agreements, and emotions can run very high. Chances for reaching a peaceful agreement may have diminished, and the likelihood of having to resolve the case either through an expensive trial in court or late stage mediation is higher.

Who participates in Mediation?

Mediation can include different combinations of participants at different times. At the minimum, the neutral mediator meets with the two parties to the case, but the attorneys for the parties may also be present. Other professionals who can provide information to help with decision-making may also be present.
Whether the attorneys are present or not depends on several factors including the subject matter being addressed, the comfort level of the attorneys with the process, and the comfort level of the participants with the process. At the beginning of the mediation process, it may be a good idea for the mediator to speak briefly with the attorneys, and then if all are comfortable, have the mediator meet with the parties only at first. Sometimes, the attorneys are most comfortable if the mediation starts with the mediator and the parties only, and focuses on parenting issues and developing a specific parenting time schedule. Later, the attorneys may or may want to participate in mediation when financial issues are discussed. Whether they are present at mediation or not, attorneys typically each meet with their own clients outside of mediation and provide advice as to the options the client may want to consider for settlement, and the range of possible legal outcomes if the case does not settle at mediation. Many attorneys will also be available for consultation by phone during the mediation if needed even if they are not present. Finally, attorneys should review any written agreements prior to finalization to assure that the language used captures the terms as agreed. Other professionals who participate may include child development professionals, to provide information to the parties, or financial professionals, such as pension or real estate experts.

At Whole Life Counselling & Mediation we have mediators who can help draw up the paperwork so both partners can transition out of business relationships professionally and quickly. Let us help you with your family mediation needs or collaborative divorce with a focus on the care of your children and amicable child custody agreements. Contact a mediator at Whole Life Counselling & Mediation today.

Info@wholelifecounselling.com or call at 604 574 5659