York Mediation has been providing York Region families with professional mediation services for 15 years now. Our roster of five (5) highly experienced mediators are:
- Family law lawyer-mediators
- Parenting plan experts
- Certified financial divorce professionals
- Comprehensive family mediators
We only invite the best mediators to serve on our panel.
All York Mediation mediators are accredited by the Ontario Association for Family Mediators (OAFM) or similar certifying organization and have extensive experience with family law issues such as custody, access, parenting plans, support, property division and spousal support.
To inquire about our family mediation services, please Contact Us.
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Reducing the Financial and Human Cost of Separation and Divorce
In the event of a separation or divorce, important decisions need to be made about children, financial division and financial support. Often, these decisions are made during difficult personal times. Where appropriate, family mediators believe that many cases involving separation and divorce could benefit from collaborative and non-adversarial decision-making processes. Mediation should incorporate an understanding of one's legal rights as part of this process, but is an interest-based model of negotiation. Parties interested in mediation should consult with a mediator or their family lawyer to determine all options available to them including: collaborative family law, mediation-arbitration, and litigation to properly assess which option is best for their family.
York Mediation's comprehensive family mediation services can mediate the following family law issues. Please note: We do not provide legal services or financial or legal advice.
- Mediation of separation and divorce settlements
- Custody, access, parenting plans relating to children
- Spousal support, property division and financial disclosure
- Interim planning
- Mediation of disputes resulting from requested variations
- Financial and income disclosure issues
- Compliance issues
- Elder care and estate planning
Child-related mediation is often used by parties who have chosen to separate or divorce and must make decisions about their children: custody, access, child support, parenting plans and communication.
Financial family mediation assists parties to form understandings on property and asset division, spousal support and other financial issues.
- How can mediation assist your family?
Mediators professionally facilitate a collaborative approach to resolving disputes that can reduce stress, facilitate communication, reduce cost, and offer your family a way to significantly alter the way you resolve disputes. Many clients like mediation because it keeps them in control of their lives and future. Many parties feel powerless during a vulnerable stage of their life, and empowering individuals to maintain control while they navigate through the turmoil is often cited as one of the most satisfying experiences of a mediation.
- Why mediation?
The evolution of family law in countries such as Canada, the US, Australia and the UK have undoubtedly leaned towards a more collaborative process to help parties resolve their family law disputes. Mediation is but one of the options available to families seeking a way to resolve disputes or formulate a separation agreement. Family mediators, like many collaborative professionals, will work with both parties to make sure they stay parents first, and that the best interests of their children are met by their decisions.
- Why York Mediation?
York Mediation mediators are highly experienced, and accredited mediators with the OAFM, meaning they meet extensive training and educational requirements. Some of our mediators are mental health professionals, some are financial professionals and others are lawyers. Since 2007, we have been one of the largest family mediation practices in York Region. We strive to provide professional mediation services based on best practices for our clients. A high percentage of our files come from referrals from past clients.
- What qualifications do mediators hold?
Mediators come from a variety of backgrounds including law, psychology and business, but many do not hold accredited or certified status as mediators. The Ministry of Attorney General recommends mediators who are accredited by the FMC, OAFM or ADR Institute. These mediators are recognized as accredited family mediators and must comply with the professional agency's code of conduct. York Mediation mediators are all accredited family mediators. Regardless of a mediator's professional experience or education, each mediator must follow a professional code of conduct if that mediator is a member of any of the provincial mediation organizations.
- I would like to work with my former partner in a collaborative, and amicable way. Can mediation help?
Parties who are endeavouring to use mediation may have concluded that for some or even all aspects of their disputes, working things out in a peaceful, neutral process may be the best option for their family.
They may have recognized that mediation can promote the concept of "working together": if you have children, chances are great that you will have to work together in the future.
It is very important to keep in mind that mediation is not suitable for all cases. The mediator has an obligation to confirm your candidacy for mediation and if you are not one, should discuss with you other options that may be more suitable for your case particulars.
- When is mediation not appropriate?
Mediation works better where parties equally able to present, negotiate, discuss and create agreements. It is not always appropriate in cases where there has been a history of domestic violence or drug/alcohol abuse, severe power imbalances exist between the parties, active CAS involvement, mental health issues, and capacity issues. The mediator will conduct mandatory mediation screening at intake or the pre-mediation phase.
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