Simplifying Divorce: Your Guide to Mediation in Calgary

Going through a divorce can be tough. If you and your spouse are having trouble agreeing on issues like property division, child support, or parenting arrangements, mediation can be a simpler way to resolve these differences without going to court.

At Jones Divorce & Family Law in Calgary, we are here to support you through this process in a compassionate and cost-effective way. To help you prepare, we have put together this guide to mediation in Calgary.

What’s Mediation?

Mediation is a way for you and your spouse to work through difficult decisions with the help of a neutral professional. A mediator guides the conversation, helping you to find a compromise on key issues such as:

• Dividing assets and debts
• Spousal support
• Parenting time and decision-making
• Child support

One of the major benefits of mediation is flexibility—sessions can take place with or without lawyers present. While legal advice is often needed to formalize your agreements and complete your divorce, mediation itself can occur without lawyers, significantly reducing the cost. You and your spouse can simply share the cost of a single mediator and a single lawyer for the final stages.

The Mediation Process in Calgary

To begin, you, your spouse, and the mediator will sit down together to talk. Unlike in court, where a judge makes decisions, mediation puts you both in control, allowing you to collaborate to find solutions that work for your family. Depending on your situation, it may take more than one session to resolve everything.

Preparing for Mediation in Calgary

Before beginning, have the following sorted out:

• Choose a Date: Pick a day when you are both free from distractions.
• Handling Costs: Discuss how the mediation fees will be shared. This is typically a 50/50 split.
• Prepare Your Documents: Gather documents like:
  • Any legal agreements between you and your spouse
  • Proof of ownership for assets
  • Tax Returns and Notices of Assessment, or other evidence of the parties’ income
  • Bank statements
  • Property valuations
  • Details about debts
  • Details relating to your children and their expenses

How to Approach Mediation

It is important to approach mediation in the best possible way for maximum success. Remember to:

• Be Open-Minded: Be ready to discuss tough topics and be open to finding a middle ground.
• Look for Solutions: Consider your path forward rather than what has happened in the past.
• Stay Respectful: Even if things get heated, be respectful.
• Take Your Time: Do not rush. It might take a few sessions to sort everything out.
• Keep Things Private: What is shared in mediation stays in mediation, unlike court, where everything is public.

Can Mediation Really Work?

With the right mindset and tools, mediation can be a highly successful and peaceful way to work through the rough spots of a divorce. For the best results, be prepared, follow this Calgary mediation guide, and work with a skilled mediator. Mediation is about working together to close this chapter of your life and start fresh, with less stress and fewer costs than going to court.

Are There Rules for Mediation in Calgary?

Firstly, it is important to understand that your mediator is unable to provide legal advice. They are there to help guide you through the process. For this reason, retaining a divorce lawyer is recommended, even if your goal is to settle through mediation.

At your first mediation appointment, your mediator will cover rules and expectations. These typically include:

• One person speaks at a time
• Focus on solutions rather than past actions
• Approach mediation in a spirit of compromise
• Verify information when needed
• Take the necessary time—don’t rush a resolution
• You and your spouse retain decision-making authority
• Prioritize children’s best interests, as required by Alberta law
• Abide by any signed mediation agreement

Mediation in Calgary: Your Path to a More Cooperative Resolution

At Jones Divorce & Family Law, our mediators are experienced and ready to assist you. Our team is flexible, skilled, and prepared to guide you through your Calgary mediation to achieve the best possible outcome. Once you reach an agreement, we can refer you to lawyers for legal advice and to formalize your arrangements.

Are you ready to take the next step to finding a less stressful and more cooperative path forward? Contact Jones Divorce & Family Law in Calgary to begin your mediation with an experienced lawyer. We will help you achieve a solution that is fair, practical, and focused on your family’s future.

Disclaimer: The content provided in the blog posts of Jones Divorce & Family Law is general information and should not be considered legal advice. Please contact a lawyer for legal advice tailored to your specific situation. All articles are current as of their original publication date.