Family mediation is a voluntary, confidential process where you make your own decisions and I manage a fair, structured, respectful process. I’m neutral about outcomes—I don’t take sides.

Mediation is not therapy, counselling, legal advice, arbitration, or court. I won’t decide who’s right, and I won’t tell you what to do.

Common topics include:

• Parenting schedules / parenting time

• Decision-making for children

• Communication and co-parenting boundaries

• Child support and section 7 expenses

• Spousal support (range/structure discussions)

• Property/debts/equalization discussions (as appropriate)

• Adult family decisions (e.g., aging-parent care, sibling conflict)

If I can’t maintain safety, procedural fairness, or informed consent, I will pause, redesign, refer out, or terminate. Mediation is not appropriate when power/safety risks can’t be managed or when disclosure is persistently withheld.

You start with a free 15-minute consultation to discuss what’s going on and what next steps make sense. Completing a form or booking a consult does not commit you to mediation.

Not usually. I typically begin with confidential individual intake and screening (one-on-one with each person). This helps assess fit, safety, power dynamics, readiness, and how to design a workable process.

Because it’s part of ethical family mediation. Screening is standard and ongoing—it protects both people and helps design the right format (joint, shuttle, hybrid, virtual safeguards, etc.).

There are options. Mediation can be designed as:

• Shuttle mediation (separate meetings)

• Hybrid (some joint, some separate)

• Added safeguards like structured turns, written agendas, shorter sessions, and strong boundaries

Yes—mediation is confidential and without prejudice (closed mediation unless agreed otherwise in writing).

Yes. Confidentiality has legal and safety exceptions, including things like:

• Risk of serious harm

• Child protection reporting obligations

• Court order or legal requirement

• Written consent of all participants

No. Mediation sessions are not recorded, and no screenshots/recordings are permitted. Virtual sessions also require you to attend from a private location.

No. I provide legal information (the “rules of the road”) and help you reality-test options, but I do not provide legal advice.

You don’t need lawyers to participate in mediation, but I strongly encourage Independent Legal Advice (ILA) before finalizing anything—especially for parenting, support, property, relocation, or high-risk dynamics.

Tell me during intake. Mediation can still be possible, but we may need to design around timelines and safety. While mediation is ongoing, the process may include expectations about not escalating legal steps without notice (except urgent safety/legal needs).

That’s common. Readiness and capacity are real—not moral issues. We may slow down, adjust format, build structure, or recommend supports. If informed participation isn’t possible, we pause or refer out.

When children are involved, decisions are guided by the best interests of the child. Children are not decision-makers in mediation.

Sometimes—but only when it’s appropriate and safe, and with clear consent and boundaries. If child-inclusive work is used, it’s “voice, not choice” (children share experiences/needs, not decisions).

If financial issues are in scope, yes—durable agreements require complete, accurate, timely disclosure. If disclosure isn’t happening, I may pause mediation, recommend ILA, narrow issues, or terminate because informed decision-making isn’t possible.

If you reach agreement, I can prepare a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and/or a neutral summary/report (and parenting plan framework where appropriate). These are not legally binding and are intended for ILA review and formalization if you choose.

It depends on the issues, readiness, disclosure, and conflict level. Many files move in stages: consultation → individual intake/screening → Agreement to Mediate → structured sessions → drafting → ILA review → revisions/closure.

My professional rate is $165/hour. This applies to intake and screening, mediation sessions, and related professional work (prep, drafting, substantive emails/calls).

Intake and screening are typically 60–90 minutes, conducted individually, and each person is billed separately for their own session. Intake/screening is billable even if mediation doesn’t proceed, because it is professional assessment and case design work.

At least 24 hours’ notice is required to cancel or reschedule an intake or mediation session. Late cancellations or missed appointments may be billed in full.

Both are possible. We decide format based on safety, practicality, and what supports a fair process.