Experiencing a Separation or Divorce can be extremely stressful to not only the couple but also the children and your extended families. You have possibly spent years accumulating assets and as life has it, debts are also generally part of the equation. How do you go about separating everything in such a way that your life and the lives of your children are impacted the least amount?
This is where Vancouver Family Mediation plays a role. As a Comprehensive Family Mediator, I am trained to provide legal information concerning division of assets and debts as well as assisting you to create a Parenting Plan to address Custody, Visitation, Guardianship in a way that honors both of you as Parents and in keeping with what is in the best interest for your children.
I am on the B.C. Mediation Roster; Certified through Family Mediation Canada; Certification in Conflict Resolution through the Justice Institute of British Columbia and a Director of the B.C. Arbitration & Mediation Institute..
Why Choose Family Mediation?
- Mediation allows you to address your fears, your concerns and have a chance to finally really TALK.
- This is the arena that is safe, you can say what is on your mind and not be judged for having those thoughts.
- This is the process that ensures complete confidentiality whereby if the conflict is taken to court then the public hears it all!
- Mediation is a faster process since both are working on agreements together, at the same time and lawyers are not acting as “Go Between’s”
- Faster also means Less Expensive
- The two of you are in control of the decisions you make for your family rather than having a Judge make the decisions and you not have control of the outcome.
- People who choose mediation will generally stick to the agreements made since they were involved in the process from the beginning.
What is the Process to Mediate a Divorce or Separation?
Initially, I will meet with both of you separately to discuss your situation, ask questions and answer any questions you will have. If you and I decide that Mediation is an appropriate avenue then we make arrangements for the sessions. Sessions generally are scheduled for 2-3 hours and depending on the complexity of your situation will determine the number of sessions required.
Once all the issues/concerns are addressed, I create what is termed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) This is a document that puts all of your agreements in a format that you can then obtain independent legal advise (strongly recommended) and your lawyer will draw up the legal agreement and file it in court or you can proceed to court on your own.
As children grow, their lives change and the orginal agreement may need to be altered. It is recommended that you review your family situation annually and adjust accordingly which does not need to be done in Court. If you are trying to renegotiate a new agreement and are having some challenges with it, then you can go back to a Mediator to help them once again.
Many couples simply make new arrangements and don’t bother with changing the filed agreement but others feel that they would like to have something more concrete and choose to file a new agreement that clearly lays out the changes.
Either way, you can always come back to Mediation if you require assistance in revising prior agreements.
