VIRTUAL MEETINGS Free Consulation *$150/hr - Mediation Certificate of Participation
Allow MEDIATION to calm your fires *$150/Hr
Additional Information
HOW I CAN HELP YOU?
- WOULD YOU LIKE TO SETTLE YOUR DISPUTE OUT OF COURT?
- SAVE ON LEGAL COSTS?
- PRESERVE RELATIONSHIPS?
What Can We Discuss in Mediation?
Every family is different. Depending upon your circumstances, mediation may address:
- Parenting arrangements and parenting schedules
- Decision-making responsibilities
- Communication and co-parenting
- Child support
- Special or extraordinary expenses for children
- Spousal support
- The family home
- Division of family property and debt
- Pensions and retirement assets
- Relocation
- Changes to existing parenting arrangements
- Children over the age of 18
- Other issues arising from separation or divorce
Mediation can also be used when parties already have an agreement or court order but need assistance resolving a new issue or adapting their arrangements to changing circumstances.
How Mediation Works
1. Initial Contact
Contact Michelle to discuss the mediation process, fees and scheduling.
Before mediation proceeds, both parties must agree to participate and the appropriate mediation documentation must be completed. If one party will not agree to participate - contact me to discuss options!
2. Individual Meetings
I meet individually with each party before beginning joint mediation.
The individual meeting provides an opportunity to discuss the mediation process, identify the issues that need to be addressed and determine what information or documentation may be required.
It also provides an opportunity to discuss any circumstances that may affect whether or how mediation should proceed.
3. Joint Mediation
The parties meet with Michelle as a neutral mediator to identify the issues, exchange relevant information, discuss options and work toward possible resolutions.
4. Documenting the Resolution
If agreements are reached, the terms can be documented as appropriate. Where Michelle is subsequently retained in a separate professional capacity to provide permitted document-preparation services, a separate retainer and confirmation of that role will be required.
Parties are encouraged to obtain independent legal advice before signing a final Separation Agreement.
LETS TALK ABOUT:
- Parenting (shared and primary parenting / decision making
- Division of Property
- Family home, pensions, personal and real property, assets and debts
- Child Support
- Spousal Support
- Communication
MEDIATION CAN HELP YOU:
- Understand and focus on important issues
- Bridge interests
- Create options and solutions
- How to move forward in your new family dynamic
Why Consider Mediation?
Mediation allows parties to participate directly in resolving the issues affecting their family.
Depending upon the circumstances, mediation may provide:
Greater control
The parties participate in developing their own resolution rather than having the outcome determined for them.
Flexible scheduling
Virtual mediation can often be arranged around work, parenting and other commitments.
A private process
Mediation provides a confidential setting for discussing family issues, subject to the terms of the mediation agreement and applicable law.
A focus on communication
Where children are involved, mediation can help parents focus on future parenting arrangements and communication.
A cost-conscious approach
Resolving issues through mediation may reduce the amount of contested legal work required, although every family matter is different.
I believe Mediation is an effective process for not only resolving conflict but also to assist parties in their new beginnings! THE MEDIATION PROCESS HAS ASSISTED MANY FAMILIES!!
I SPECIALIZE IN FAMILY MEDIATION - Including High Conflict and Trauma Matters
Family Mediation can assist parties to find solutions to conflict through an interest based problem solving process. Mediation allows the parties to come to a resolution that empowers each party to make decisions that is best for THEIR families needs! If you have children, choose a parenting plan that works for you.
Not only is the court process emotionally draining, but it also may lead to greater financial hardships and further barriers between the parties.
I have known parties to wait over a year for the Court to direct an Order.
MEDIATION COST *$150 / hr for independent consultations with Mediator
*Plus taxes and disbursements
AGREEMENTS - it is my recommendation that parties seek independent legal advise
The Mediator will assist parties in negotiating and endeavoring to reach an acceptable agreement. The Mediator will remain an impartial and neutral third party to the discussion between the parties without making decisions or judgments or provide legal advise on those issues being discussed. The mediator will not give legal advice to the parties with respect to legal rights or legal issues that may arise in the discussions. All communications used in mediation will be treated by all parties as confidential and will not be admissible in any other proceedings.
You have selected me as a neutral third party to help facilitate discussions.
- Each party will have an independent consultation with me as a family mediator on the phone 1 - 1.5 hours
- Both parties will then participate in a joint mediation meeting with the mediator. $150/hr for each party. 2 hours
- During mediation, if the parties would like for a lawyer to be present to ask any questions or to provide clarity, this also can be arranged.
- Once the parties are in agreement, the mediator may put pen to paper and review with the parties.
- Agreements and Documents should be reviewed by lawyers so you know your legal rights.
Separation Agreements *$650+
Consented Divorce *$650+
*Plus taxes and disbursements
Parenting Coordination
Parenting coordination is a structured dispute resolution process designed to assist separated parents with ongoing parenting disputes and the implementation of parenting arrangements.
Depending upon the terms of the parties' Parenting Coordination Agreement and any applicable court order, parenting coordination may assist with issues such as:
- Parenting schedules and minor scheduling changes
- Holidays and special occasions
- Extracurricular activities
- Exchange arrangements
- Communication between parents
- School-related issues
- Travel
- Counselling and other supports
- Other parenting issues within the Parenting Coordinator's agreed authority
Separation & Divorce Services
In addition to mediation services, Michelle is a Limited Licensee of the Law Society of Saskatchewan and may provide certain permitted family law services within the scope of that licence.
Services may include:
- Preparation of Separation Agreements
- Parenting Agreements
- Uncontested divorce documents
- Joint divorce documents
- Other permitted family law document-preparation services
Limited Licensee services are separate from mediation services and are provided under a separate retainer.
Where Michelle has previously acted as mediator for both parties, the transition from mediation to any permitted Limited Licensee service will be clearly explained and confirmed before those services begin.
Independent legal advice may be recommended or required depending upon the circumstances.
Learn More
Do you have a copy of The Family Property Act, The Children's Law Act, The Divorce Act, The Family Maintenance Act? Ask me to send you the links.
PARENTING COORDINATOR
Parenting Coordination
Helping Separated Parents Manage Ongoing Parenting Disputes
Parenting coordination is a structured dispute resolution process that can assist separated parents who experience ongoing disagreements about parenting arrangements or the implementation of an existing parenting plan, agreement or court order.
The goal is to help parents resolve day-to-day parenting disputes efficiently, improve communication and reduce ongoing conflict.
Parenting coordination is different from family mediation. The Parenting Coordinator's role, responsibilities and authority are determined by the parties' Parenting Coordination Agreement and, where applicable, the terms of a court order.
What Can a Parenting Coordinator Help With?
Depending upon the authority provided in the Parenting Coordination Agreement and any applicable court order, parenting coordination may assist with issues such as:
- Minor adjustments to parenting schedules
- Holidays and special occasions
- Exchange arrangements
- Extracurricular activities
- School-related issues
- Travel arrangements
- Communication between parents
- Communication concerning the children
- Counselling and other supports for children
- Day-to-day parenting issues
- Implementation of existing parenting arrangements
- Other parenting issues falling within the Parenting Coordinator's authority
Not every issue can be determined by a Parenting Coordinator. The scope of the Parenting Coordinator's authority is established at the beginning of the process and will depend upon the circumstances of the appointment.
How Parenting Coordination Works
1. Initial Consultation
Before accepting an appointment, I meet with the parties to discuss the parenting coordination process, the issues they are seeking assistance with, and the proposed scope of my role.
The purpose of this initial process is also to determine whether I am able to accept the appointment.
2. Parenting Coordination Agreement
If the appointment proceeds, the parties enter into a Parenting Coordination Agreement setting out the terms of the process.
The Agreement addresses matters such as:
- The Parenting Coordinator's role and authority
- Issues that may be addressed
- Communication procedures
- Information and documentation
- Confidentiality and its limitations
- Involvement of other professionals where appropriate
- Fees and payment responsibilities
- The dispute resolution process
- The circumstances in which a determination may be made, where authorized
Where there is an existing court order, the Parenting Coordination Agreement must be considered together with the terms of that order.
3. Resolving Parenting Disputes
When a parenting issue arises, the Parenting Coordinator may gather relevant information and assist the parents in attempting to resolve the issue.
Depending upon the circumstances, this may involve:
- Written communication
- Telephone or virtual discussions
- Joint meetings
- Individual discussions
- Review of relevant documents
- Consultation with other professionals where appropriate and authorized
The process used will depend upon the nature of the issue..
4. Determinations
Where the Parenting Coordination Agreement and any applicable court order provide authority to do so, the Parenting Coordinator may make a determination concerning an issue that has not been resolved by the parents. A Parenting Coordinator does not have unlimited authority to make parenting decisions. Any determination must fall within the Parenting Coordinator's authorized scope.
Parenting Coordination Is Different From Mediation
Family Mediation
In mediation, I act as a neutral facilitator. I assist the parties in discussing issues and exploring possible resolutions, but I do not make decisions for the parties.
Parenting Coordination
Parenting coordination is generally used where parents already have parenting arrangements but experience ongoing difficulties implementing them or resolving parenting disputes.
The Parenting Coordinator may assist the parties in reaching their own resolution and, where specifically authorized, may have authority to make a determination if the parents are unable to agree.
The exact role is established by the Parenting Coordination Agreement and any applicable court order.
The Children's Best Interests
Parenting coordination is focused on the parenting issues affecting the children and the implementation of workable parenting arrangements.
Parents are encouraged to keep children out of parental conflict and to focus their communication and decision-making on their children's needs and best interests.
Depending upon the circumstances and the authority provided, information from professionals involved with the children may be considered where appropriate.
Is Parenting Coordination Right for Your Family?
Parenting coordination may be useful where parents have an existing parenting arrangement but continue to experience recurring disagreements about its implementation or day-to-day parenting issues.
It is not appropriate for every family or every parenting dispute.
Before accepting an appointment, I review the circumstances, the existing parenting arrangements or court order, the issues the parties wish to address, and the proposed scope of the Parenting Coordinator's authority.