What kind of issues can I go to mediation for?

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Services with Atlantic Family Mediation are offered by a registered social worker who specializes in helping parents develop well thought out and sustainable parenting plans (formerly referred to an "custody and access agreements") for their children. This can include parenting schedules, living arrangements, decision making, and child support. It is possible that issues of spousal support may also be relevant to many parenting arrangements and this will be addressed during mediation. 

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Atlantic Family Mediation can also help you come to an agreement on the division of assets and joint property. We will help you discuss and prepare a comprehensive list of your assets and debts and we work with several financial professionals, such as a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and Financial Planner or Professional Chartered Accountant who can review your information and answer any questions you may have. 

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I've already started a process through the family courts, can I still try mediation?

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Absolutely, mediation can happen at any time during the court process. Most judges are happy to pause ongoing court proceedings to allow for mediation to take place. Or you can simply try mediation in between your court appearances. 

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How much will mediation cost?

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The cost of mediation will depend on how many mediation sessions are required to reach an agreement. Atlantic Family Mediation charges an hourly rate of $150, however unlike legal fees where each person needs to pay their own individual lawyer, the cost of each session can be split between the mediation participants. The total cost of mediation will depend on how many sessions are booked. 

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*Because mediation services at Atlantic Family Mediation are provided by a registered social worker, your private health benefits plan may also cover all or part of these costs and direct billing is offered for some providers.*

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Do you offer a sliding scale or reduced-cost services for people with lower incomes?

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Yes! Atlantic Family Mediation believes that all people should have access to affordable options to help their family, regardless of income. Please contact us by email to discuss your options. 

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I don't live in HRM, can I do mediation remotely?

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Yes, we offer both in-person and online services. We use the Zoom platform for remote sessions and you can participate from anywhere in Nova Scotia. 

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I want to do mediation but the other person won't agree, can I come alone or can the other person be ordered to attend?

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Mediation is a voluntary process and requires the consent and participation of both parties. However, we would be happy to reach out by email to provide the other person with some information about mediation and invite them to get in touch with any questions or concerns. You can book a free consultation call or send us an email to discuss this. 

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Atlantic Family Mediation also provides individual counselling and support services for clients who are looking for support in dealing with family conflict following a separation. 

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If we can't reach an agreement, will the mediator decide for us?

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No, a mediator is not a decision maker. The mediator will try to help you overcome the barriers preventing your from reaching an agreement and explore the reasons why you may have reached an impasse, but they will not make decisions for you. 

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What if we can't reach an agreement on everything?

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That's ok! Sometimes despite people's best efforts and intentions, a final agreement on some parts of a conflict cannot be reached and will need to be decided by a judge. Having a partial agreement or solving even some of the issues causing conflict can drastically reduce the time spent in family court and can have a hugely positive impact on reducing conflict, minimizing stress for children, and maintaining positive parenting relationships.

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Is Mediation Legally Binding?

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Once a mediated agreement has been reached, many people simply choose to follow the agreement without taking further legal steps. However, the Mediation Report you will receive at the conclusion of your joint sessions can also be taken to a lawyer and transferred into a "Separation Agreement" which will then become legally binding. A Mediation Report can also be jointly submitted directly to the family court and reviewed by a judge to be issued into a formal court order or used to form part of a formal court order. 

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Do I need to get legal advice before coming to mediation?

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It can be very helpful to get some legal advice before starting mediation and we encourage it, however it is not required. The mediator can provide some legal information, direct you to legal resources, and is trained to recognize situations when it may be important, or even necessary, for people to obtain independent legal advice before proceeding. We also always recommend that Mediation Reports be reviewed by a lawyer prior to being formalized and can refer you to lawyers in your area who offer this service. 

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