Family mediation is a structured conversation with a trained mediator whose job is to help you and your partner reach agreements about separation or divorce. The mediator doesn’t decide for you and isn’t on anyone’s side. Their role is to make sure both of you are heard and to help you move toward solutions.
How mediation sessions work
Mediation usually happens in a calm, neutral office. You and your partner sit down with the mediator, or sometimes the mediator meets with each of you separately if that feels more comfortable.
You’ll talk about the issues that matter: property, support, parenting arrangements, and whatever else needs to be decided. The mediator helps you understand each other’s concerns and looks for common ground.
Most people find that mediation is less adversarial than they expected. You’re not arguing your case to a judge; you’re problem-solving together with help.
What mediation can and can’t do
Mediation works best when both people want to find a solution rather than win. It works well for:
- Couples who have children and want to keep things civil
- People who can afford the split but need help deciding how to divide it fairly
- Anyone who wants to avoid the cost and time of court
- Situations where both partners are willing to be honest about finances and needs
Mediation is less likely to work if one person is hiding assets, if there’s been abuse, or if one person isn’t genuinely interested in settling.
How long mediation takes
Simple cases—where you largely agree and just need to formalize things—might take one or two sessions. More complex situations, especially those involving significant property or parenting disagreements, usually take four to eight sessions.
Each session is typically two to three hours. You’ll have time between sessions to gather information, think things through, and prepare for the next conversation.
What happens after mediation
Once you’ve reached agreements, those get written into a separation agreement. Each of you reviews it with your own lawyer before signing. The agreement then becomes binding and enforceable.
If mediation doesn’t resolve everything, you can still go to court for the issues you couldn’t settle. But mediation often gets you most of the way there, which means court is faster and less costly if you do need it.
If you’d like to explore whether mediation makes sense for your situation, we’re here to talk through it.