If you and your partner decide to divorce in Airdrie, you will need to get together and decide on plans for the future.
That means arranging property and asset division, spousal support, child custody, child support, and so on.
These matters can be problematic and there are several different approaches available to bring about a divorce agreement that covers all the key aspects, including:
You don’t need to end up in court, even if there are significant differences between you and your spouse.
Divorce mediation with the aid of the experienced mediators at Jennings Family Law can help you reach an amicable resolution that positions you to move forward with your life.
Jennings Family Law is excited to share that Beecher Menzies, the premier family lawyer in Airdrie Alberta, has joined our team of compassionate and highly skilled family lawyers. Beecher brings 24 years of experience helping Canadian families navigate the difficulties of divorce, separation, and estate disputes with the most amicable path forward.
If you and your partner are prepared to work together to resolve your differences about property division, child support, custody, parenting, spousal support, and so on, divorce mediation is a recommended option.
You and your spouse hire a professional, independent mediator to guide you towards a viable separation agreement. The mediator may or may not be a lawyer but cannot give legal advice during this process.
A mediator acts as a facilitator and will not make any final decisions (unlike an arbitrator) and there is no winner or loser (unlike with litigation). You remain in control of making the final decisions and the goal is a mutually beneficial outcome.
It only works if both parties are committed to the process and are prepared to negotiate.
The Alberta courts generally approve of mediation as it keeps divorce cases from cluttering up the courts and it is deemed a preferable option for all parties involved, including children.
Compared to litigation, mediation offers:
It is worth noting that mediated agreements have a high compliance rate – another reason why they are favoured by judges in Alberta.
The mediator acts as an independent, neutral third party who is responsible for
Our divorce mediators follow a simple five-step process to successfully mediate between spouses:
The mediation process is quicker than litigation but should not be viewed as a “quick fix”.
Several sessions may be required over a few days or even weeks if there are many points of dispute between you and your spouse.
It is not always successful, in which case your mediator may recommend an alternative dispute resolution method.
You may need to hire an arbitrator or independent lawyers to solve problems collaboratively or to begin litigation.
However, even if mediation helps you reach an agreement on some of the outstanding issues, it should be worth going through the process to save time and money when resolving the remaining conflicts.
Can I speak with the divorce mediator privately?
Most mediation sessions are conducted predominantly with both parties in the same room as the mediator.
However, it is sometimes possible for a mediator to go back and forth between rooms (a process known as “caucusing”).
The contents of private conversations may be kept confidential or shared with the other party while caucusing, depending on what is agreed between you, your spouse, and the mediator.
Mediation is a major step for a couple going through a divorce. It can be a little stressful and it is best to be prepared for your session(s).
Here are some things you can do to give yourself the best possible chance of success:
At Jennings Family Law, our divorce lawyers and mediators are committed to helping you achieve a prompt and cost-effective agreement with your spouse.
Contact us today for a confidential consultation and case evaluation.
