What Happens at Our Family Mediation Meetings?

You and your former spouse will meet together with me, Marla Gilsig, as your family law mediator. My role as a mediator is not to decide the outcome of your dispute, you and your former spouse are the decision makers. Through a series of meetings that we all attend I’ll help you to make decisions and reach agreements by facilitating negotiations and helping you gather and keep track of information and documents.

Your lawyer and your former spouse’s lawyer may also attend the mediation meetings with the two of you. Your lawyers are part of the family mediation process, even if they do not attend the meetings. When you separate, your children are impacted. Sometimes older … Read more »

What is the Difference Between a Family Mediator and a Family Law Mediator?

What is a family mediator?

In mediation, you and your former spouse work with a family mediator, one who is specially trained to help you reach an agreement. Family mediators are neutral third parties who can help you reach an agreement on a variety of issues, including guardianship, parenting schedules, support payments, and the division of property and debts. A family mediator may be a psychologist, counsellor, social worker or lawyer who has been trained to be a family mediator. In BC, most family mediators are members of Mediate BC and Family Mediation Canada.

What is a family law mediator?

In British Columbia, the Law Society of BC offers accreditation for family lawyers who wish to become … Read more »

Why Promote Mediation over Litigation?

In family mediation, you, the divorcing couple, work with a neutral mediator who helps you come to an agreement on all aspects of your divorce. The mediator may or may not be a lawyer, but either way the mediator should be extremely well versed in divorce and family law. It is critical for the mediator to be neutral. You and your former spouse still may need to consult with your own, individual lawyers during the mediation and prior to signing any divorce or settlement agreements.

Why should you mediate instead of going to court?

1. Preserve Your Relationships: It is far easier on your children since mediation proceedings are less hostile and stressful than court proceedings. Opting