The benefits of mediation

• A mediated agreement is your agreement, one that you have worked out together. You may both find it easier to accept and respect.
  
  
• A mediated agreement can take into account your family's special needs.
  
  
• With mediation you may avoid some of the tension and conflict that arise if you have to go to court as adversaries and have a judge decide the terms of your divorce for you.
  
  
• Succcessful mediation may save you time and money. An uncontested divorce, in which you and your spouse have reached an agreement before going to court, usually costs less than a contested divorce. Going to court for a divorce when you already have an agreement can take less time than going to court in a contested case, where the judge decides for you.
  
  
• Mediation gives you a chance to negotiate a temporary arrangement and to try it out before going to court. If it works, it can become part of your agreement. If it doesn't, you can continue to work together to find a better solution.
  
  
• Mediation gives you a framework for settling disputes that may arise in the future. Improved communication and negotiation skills may help you deal with your spouse more easily after the divorce.
  
  
• Mediation is confidential, avoiding public disclosure of personal problems.

Research also shows compliance with mediated agreements is higher than with imposed court judgments. The result is less post-divorce litigation.

Sources: Another Way: Mediation in Divorce and Separation,
Department of Justice of Canada.

Facing Divorce,
Family Mediation Canada
528 Victoria St. N.
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada  N2H 5G1
Telephone: (519) 585-3118
Fax: (519) 585-3121

"Our children saw that we could work together on a parenting plan...they needed to know that we were divorcing each other, not them."