Vancouver Family Law Mediation… How Does it Work?

Vancouver Family Law mediation is a process that serves many purposes, not just settlement. Our top-rated Vancouver Family Lawyers explain the process here and why it can be both good and bad for you. 

Vancouver Family Law Mediation – What is it?

Family Law Mediation is a process that:

1. is relatively cheap;
2. must contain compromise;
3. needs two reasonable, as at least partly reasonable people;
4. needs the commitment to reach a resolution;
5. gives you a say over the outcome;
6. if it works, it doesn’t give you all you want…but most. And gives you peace. And most importantly:
7. makes sure you never look back on your life and tell your grandchildren that you went through a Vancouver Family Law Trial against the very person you once loved and make children with. A process that sucked your soul, burnt through your money… and still didn’t give you the closure you were looking for (in most cases). 

Vancouver family law mediation is for people who are mature. People who despite their differences, see the value in agreements and peaceful closures. People who are willing to give up or compromise in order to grow faster and in a more healthy manner when they enter the next chapter of their lives.

But mediation is not always good for you. And doesn’t always give you results. And sometimes, no matter how reasonable or mature you are, it won’t work because your ex-spouse just won’t see eye-to-eye. Let’s see when Vancouver Family Law Mediation is not so good for you:

When is Vancouver Family Law Mediation Bad For You?

1. When you know your ex-spouse just won’t compromise or co-operate;
2. When you know you will need to go to court and only have a limited budget to do it;
3. When you and your spouse have not given each other proper financial disclosure to make informed decisions;
4. When your lawyers don’t get along;
5. When either you or your spouse have unreasonable demands which are not supported by law;
6. Many, many other factors which your Vancouver family lawyer will need to discuss with you.

Our award-winning Vancouver Family Lawyers will advise you on whether mediation is right or wrong for you.

But how does mediation go?

Vancouver Family Law Mediation – How does it Go?

You need to follow a few steps before, during and after a Vancouver Family Law Mediation. Let’s look at those:

1. Make sure you and your ex exchange all relevant financial information with each other, otherwise, mediation will be a waste of time;
2. Exchange positions – what are you trying to get out of your family law case, and what is he/she trying to get?
3. Make sure your lawyers get along – some Vancouver family lawyers work well together, some don’t. If you want to settle or negotiate, it is always better to get two people who are friendly with each other and can get along – it will go a long way.
4. Make sure you have a good mediator. There are a few family law mediators who almost always settle their cases, are extremely effective and very knowledgeable in family law. Talk to our Vancouver family lawyers to find out which mediator is right for you.
5. On the day of mediation, you and your family lawyer, and your spouse and his/her lawyer come to an office. You will most likely be put in two different rooms.
6. The mediator introduces his/herself and tells you that the process is confidential and that it will be exhausting and intense. But hopefully will come to an end in 1-2 days and you are set free. Free to move into the next chapter of your lives.
7. The mediator will negotiate with the other side on your behalf, and also negotiate with you on your spouse’s behalf.
8. The mediator will try to bring you to a mid-way point where you can settle. And if you do, it’s a good feeling!
9. If there is a settlement, it gets written up in a separation agreement, consent Order or Minutes of Settlement.
10. If there is no settlement, not all hope is lost and you just need a little more time to think about what happened and where you are going from here.

Your entire case, life savings and family is at stake when you go to Vancouver Family Law Mediation. You will need a good lawyer who can negotiate on your behalf, someone who understands the strengths and weaknesses of your case and can refer you to a good mediator. Given the high stakes in your case, please contact our top-rated Vancouver family lawyers* to obtain an initial consultation, and learn about your rights and options. Call us at 604-974-9529 or email [email protected].

*Leena Yousef is rated as the number one family lawyer in British Columbia by Lawyerratings.com and as the top 3 best lawyers in Vancouver by the threebest.com.Also voted as the best Vancouver family law firm in Vancouver by Top Choice Awards.