GUELPH-WELLINGTON
FAMILY MEDIATION
A Better Path Forward
Frequently Asked Questions
Most mediation sessions are held online through Zoom. This allows you to join from the comfort of your own home—or anywhere you have a private, quiet space with a camera and microphone.
Meeting online is often the preferred option for many clients because:
It saves time and travel costs.
It allows more scheduling flexibility.
It can feel less stressful and more comfortable than meeting in person.
If you’d prefer to meet face-to-face, we can arrange an in-person session. Meeting rooms can be booked at the local library or Chamber of Commerce upon request.
You do not need to have a lawyer in order to take part in mediation, and many clients attend without one.
However, it’s important to know that mediators cannot give legal advice. While a mediator can provide general information about family law topics, they cannot tell you what you should do in your specific situation.
Because of this, it’s strongly recommended that you seek independent legal advice—either before, during, or after mediation—so you fully understand your rights and obligations before finalizing any agreements.
A lawyer can:
Explain how the law applies to your situation.
Review any written summary or memorandum from mediation.
Ensure you are making informed decisions.
Yes. Mediation is a private and confidential process. We only conduct closed mediation, which means:
What is discussed in mediation stays in mediation.
Information will not be shared with anyone outside the process without your written consent (except in rare cases where required by law, such as concerns about child safety or risk of harm).
Mediation is also “without prejudice”, meaning:
Anything said, discussed, or proposed in mediation cannot be used as evidence in court if the process does not result in an agreement.
Parties are able to explore solutions freely and openly, without worrying that their words will be held against them later.
In Ontario, agreements reached in mediation are not automatically legally binding.
At the end of the mediation process, the mediator prepares a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that outlines the terms agreed upon by both parties.
To make the agreement binding, each party should provide the MOU to their own independent family lawyer. The lawyers will then draft a formal Separation Agreement, which is reviewed and signed by both parties.
This final step ensures the agreement is legally valid, protects the rights of each party, and can be enforced if required in the future.
Mediation can be a highly effective way to resolve family disputes, but it is not the right fit for every situation.
It works best when both parties are willing to communicate openly, negotiate in good faith, and focus on finding solutions rather than assigning blame. Mediation is particularly valuable for those who want to reduce conflict, maintain control over decision-making, and keep costs manageable.
However, mediation may not be appropriate in situations involving a significant power imbalance, ongoing domestic abuse, or a complete unwillingness by one or both parties to participate in the process. In these cases, other dispute resolution methods may be more suitable.
A brief consultation can help determine if mediation is the right approach for your circumstances.
Yes. Mediation is a voluntary process, meaning both parties must agree to participate. Either party can choose to pause or end mediation at any time if they feel it is no longer productive or appropriate.
Full and honest financial disclosure is a key part of the mediation process. Both parties are expected to share complete and accurate information about their income, assets, debts, and expenses.
This transparency allows each person to make informed decisions and ensures that any agreements reached are fair and based on accurate information. Your mediator will provide guidance on what documents are needed and how to exchange them.
While mediators help organize and clarify financial information, they do not verify its accuracy—each party is responsible for ensuring their disclosure is truthful and complete.
Income tax return and Notice of Assessment
Mortgage statement
Life insurance policies
Bank account statements
Investment account statements
Pension Valuation
Car loan and credit card statements
Details of any other assets or debts
It can take up to 60 days for a pension plan administrator to provide a Statement of Net Family Law Value. We recommend that clients request this document as soon as possible to avoid delays in the mediation process.
Yes. In most cases, a support person may attend mediation if both parties agree in advance. Their role is to offer emotional support, help take notes, or provide moral encouragement — not to participate directly in the negotiations. Support persons are required to sign a confidentiality agreement before attending.
Yes! We are happy to work with clients anywhere in Ontario, as long as both parties reside in the province. Remote or virtual meetings make it easier to access mediation, helping to remove barriers related to distance.
