Family Mediation 101: What It Is, What It Isn’t, and How to Prepare
Learn how family mediation works, how to prepare, and how virtual pay-as-you-go legal support can help families across Alberta, including remote and rural areas
Family mediation is a structured conversation designed to help separating spouses or partners reach their own agreement. It can be used for parenting arrangements, child support, spousal support, and (in many cases) property and debt issues. Mediation is often faster and less adversarial than court—but it works best when both people are prepared and the process is set up safely.
This post explains the basics of private family mediation and practical steps to get ready, especially for people in Grande Prairie, Red Deer, Northern Alberta, and rural communities who may prefer a virtual process.
1) What mediation is
In family mediation, a neutral mediator helps the parties:
identify the issues that need decisions,
exchange and clarify information,
generate options,
negotiate terms, and
record the terms reached (often as a summary or term sheet).
A mediator generally does not “take sides.” The mediator’s role is to guide the process so the parties can reach workable, informed agreements.
2) What mediation is not
Mediation is not:
counselling or therapy (although emotions often come up),
a trial,
a process where the mediator imposes a decision (in standard mediation), or
a substitute for full financial disclosure when support or property are being negotiated.
3) What issues can be addressed in mediation
Most private family mediations focus on:
Parenting (schedules, holidays, exchanges, communication, decision-making)
Child support (guideline-based support, special or extraordinary expenses)
Spousal support (if applicable)
Property and debt (division approaches, sale/refinance timelines, payment schedules)
Some matters need extra safeguards, and some may not be appropriate for mediation.
4) What makes mediation more likely to succeed
Mediation tends to be more productive when:
both people are willing to negotiate in good faith,
there is complete and organized financial disclosure (if finances are on the table),
the issues list is clear (what is being decided now vs later),
each person understands the realistic range of outcomes (including what a court might do as a backstop), and
the written terms are detailed enough to avoid future conflicts
5) How to prepare (a practical checklist)
A. Write down the issues
Examples:
parenting schedule (school weeks, weekends, holidays)
decision-making and communication
child support and expenses
spousal support (if relevant)
property, debt, and timelines for implementation
B. Gather key documents (especially if support or property will be discussed)
income information (recent paystubs, tax returns, notices of assessment)
benefits, childcare, and medical expense information
mortgage statements, property tax, and any appraisal information
bank/credit card statements and debt summaries
pension/RRSP information (where relevant)
C. Decide on priorities
What must happen immediately (temporary schedule, interim support)?
What can be staged (sale of home later, review dates, future exchange of documents)?
D. Plan for a workable process
virtual vs in-person
joint session vs “shuttle” (separate rooms)
whether each party will obtain legal advice before and/or after sessions
6) Where pay‑as‑you‑go legal support can help
Some people do not need (or want) a lawyer to attend mediation or to appear in court—but still want professional support to avoid preventable mistakes.
Koch Solutions Family Law (Jessica C. Koch Professional Corporation) provides virtual, pay‑as‑you‑go (unbundled) legal support that can include:
a coaching call to prepare for mediation and organize priorities,
help organizing financial disclosure,
child support and spousal support calculations (where applicable),
drafting or reviewing a proposed parenting plan, and
drafting or reviewing a separation agreement based on the terms you reach.
Consult call: $100. To request an intake link, email jessica@kochsolutions.ca.
7) If mediation doesn’t work: court as a backstop
Mediation is not “all or nothing.” If some issues resolve and others do not, court can be the backstop—particularly for urgent parenting concerns, temporary support, or disclosure problems. Many cases still settle after a court file is started, but court can provide structure and enforceable deadlines when needed.
FAQ
1) Is family mediation legally binding in Alberta?
Mediation itself is a process. The outcome becomes binding when the terms are put into an enforceable document, such as a properly drafted separation agreement or a consent order.
2) Do both people need a lawyer for mediation?
Not necessarily. Many people mediate without lawyers attending. However, independent legal advice and legal drafting/review can reduce the risk of unclear or incomplete terms.
3) Can mediation be done virtually in Alberta?
Yes. Many private mediators offer virtual sessions, which can be particularly helpful for families in Northern Alberta and rural communities.
4) What documents should be exchanged before mediation?
It depends on the issues. If support or property will be discussed, income documents and a clear list of assets and debts are commonly needed so negotiations are informed.
5) What if mediation fails?
Court remains available as a backstop for temporary orders, disclosure, and final decisions. Starting a court process does not prevent later settlement.
Resources
Alberta resources (helpful starting points):
Government of Alberta – Family Mediation: https://alberta.ca/family-mediation
LawCentral Alberta – Family Mediation Services: https://www.lawcentralalberta.ca/en/family-mediation-services-alberta-courts
Parenting After Separation (Alberta): https://www.alberta.ca/pas
Note: Family law and court processes can differ by province and territory. If guidance is needed for a specific jurisdiction, contact a local lawyer or the local courthouse for province-specific information.