Process Options

Mediation

Family Mediation is the facilitation of settlement negotiations for separating spouses by a neutral third party mediator. Both parties voluntarily engage in mediation and control all decision making with the goal of reaching a mutually satisfactory agreement. The process is designed to empower joint decision making through information sharing in a balanced negotiation setting. The mediator does not provide legal advice, only legal information. In order to obtain independent legal advice on a mediated agreement, the parties must consult separate lawyers.
 
See the following link to the Ontario Association for Family Mediation for further details about mediation: https://www.oafm.on.ca/ 

Collaborative Family Law

Collaborative Family Law provides spouses with a dignified process to separate respectfully with an agreement not to go to court. The Collaborative process is interdisciplinary in that the parties have the opportunity to work together in a team setting with their lawyers and other specialists. Collaborative Practice professionals have the expertise to assist parties through all aspects of a separation and they include lawyers, child and financial specialists, family professionals, among other relevant experts.

The parties in the Collaborative process commit to the following outside of court:
1. respectful negotiations with a view to reaching a mutually acceptable settlement;
2. full disclosure of all relevant information including financial documents; and
3. open communication to generate settlement options which address shared priorities.

See the following link to the Ontario Collaborative Law Federation for further details about Collaborative Practice: http://www.oclf.ca/index.htm

Early Neutral Consultation

Early Neutral Consultation includes one confidential 90 minute information session with separating spouses or spouses who are entering a common law relationship and a neutral lawyer (or other expert) who can assist with a separation or cohabitation. The parties can obtain clarification together on different process options for settlement which meet their needs. The information is provided to empower parties to navigate their circumstances and to identify any relevant issues, including legal ones, that they are facing. The parties do not negotiate or make decisions in the consultation and the neutral cannot provide advice.

The benefit of the consultation is that it provides a cost effective and time efficient means to facilitate a mutual, planned and cooperative path forward at separation. The process builds trust and confidence between parties who do not start off by receiving conflicting information from separate sources. They gather information together in a neutral setting which enables them to move ahead in an informed way through a process that best fits their specific family needs.

The parties are given referrals and contact information for lawyers, mediators, parenting and financial professionals who have the expertise to help them through separation or cohabitation.

See the following link to the Family Law Pathways Centre for further details on Early Neutral Consultation. http://www.familylawpathways.com/how-we-help-families