LLB Mediation Services

As soon as the parties agree to try to resolve their differences outside of court. It is best to try mediation before the litigation process creates too much mistrust between the parties and before the lawyers initiate expensive discovery processes. Mediation early on can save the parties thousands of dollars and minimize long-term distress.

Mediation is a confidential and non-adversarial process intended to help couples reach settlements on all issues relating to their separation. It is often the preferred choice for couples wishing to avoid the timely, costly, and emotionally draining process of litigation (family court).   As professional law mediators near Ontario, our job is to provide a safe space for couples to discuss the terms of their separation and facilitate productive conversations that ensure both parties are heard, understood, and respected. Our family-first approach has proven to help couples reach an amicable and mutually acceptable agreement together – ensuring you can decide your future, and not a third party or judge.  

The answer varies with the number of issues to be resolved, their complexity, the degree of conflict between the parties, and the ability and willingness of the parties to negotiate in good faith and cooperate without strong emotions overwhelming the process. That said, a typical comprehensive divorce case may take anywhere from 2 to 8 sessions or more, with some homework between sessions. Mediating Parenting Plans alone may take as few as 1 to 3 sessions.

Mediators are usually social workers, lawyers, psychologists, or other professionals. When these professionals work as family mediators, their job is to help parties reach an agreement on support payments, the division of property, custody of and access to the children, or any other family-related issues. Usually social workers and psychologists are more focussed on resolving parenting issues.  Lawyers are often more comfortable with the law as it relates to all of the financial issues, although frequently they address parenting issues too so the parties only have to use one mediator.  John Schuman has been involved with custody/access and children's rights cases for more than twelve years, so he is comfortable with mediating parenting issues.  Mediators do not take sides or make decisions for the parties. They also cannot give legal advice.