In mediation, a mediator works with you and your spouse to help you resolve your dispute. Mediators are trained to establish and maintain a safe, confidential, communicative process, to help you reach an agreement. Mediators are unbiased and will not make decisions for you. In fact, no resolution can be imposed on you at mediation. Instead, the mediator works with you and your spouse together to find mutually acceptable (even mutually beneficial) solutions specific to your family’s circumstances. You and your spouse make the final decision on how to resolve things.

The first step is to determine whether mediation is appropriate for you and your spouse, and whether you are both agreeable to proceeding with mediation. You and your spouse will meet independently with the mediator to determine if mediation is a good fit. If you decide to proceed, we will help you both gather the information and documents needed to resolve your dispute. We will also sign a Mediation Agreement confirming your understanding and consent to the process.

As your and your spouse’s mediator, we can draft a formal separation agreement recording any agreements reached in mediation. However, because mediators are neutral and cannot provide you or your spouse with legal advice, it will be important for you and your spouse to each meet with your own lawyers to review the draft agreement and receive independent legal advice on the effect of signing. If the agreement is acceptable, you and your spouse will sign with your lawyers.

Katherine is trained as both a family lawyer and a mediator. Her neutral, understanding approach and her knowledge of family law will help you reach a complete solution that works long-term. In this process, Katherine acts only as a neutral and does not represent either you or your spouse as a lawyer.

Please visit https://www.mediatebc.com for more information about mediation.