Table of contents

Do you qualify

This program is free. It is available if all these things apply:

  1. You are going through:
  • separation or
  • divorce
  1. Both parents agree to take part.
  2. One parent earns a gross income of $40,000 or less per year.
  3. There is at least one dependent child who is either:
  • under 18
  • 18 or older and eligible for continued child support

Work together for your children

Mediation can help with issues like:

  • communication
  • parenting plans
  • guardianship
  • child support
  • spousal support
  • some property matters

Any agreements you make:

  • focus on the best interests of your child or children
  • help you avoid going to court

Before mediation

Prepare for mediation

Take the online Parenting After Separation course. It is a starting place for making a parenting plan.

Use online information and courses to understand how the law expects parents to handle financial and parenting decisions during separation or divorce:

You may need to talk to a lawyer if you need legal advice.

Mediator contacts you

The mediator talks to each person one-on-one to:

  • hear more about what you want to resolve
  • make sure you have all the information you need
  • identify any safety concerns

The mediator will help decide if mediation is right for your situation.

The mediator must report any perceived threat to the safety of any person to the appropriate authorities.

What happens in mediation

The mediator does not:

  • make decisions for you
  • give legal advice

A mediation session is:

  • informal
  • confidential – the mediator does not share what was talked about
  • 2 or 3 hours long:
    • most people need 1 or 2 sessions

Usually, only the 2 people trying to reach an agreement go to the mediation. Other people can attend if:

  • both parents agree
  • the person’s role is made clear ahead of time – like:
    • a support person
    • an interpreter
    • a lawyer

After mediation

The mediator writes down what you agree on and sends you both a copy:

  • this mediation summary is not legally binding
  • it is up to both parents to follow through on their decisions

Ask the mediator about what to do if you want to make the agreement legally binding.

Before you register

Both parents

  • have to agree to take part in mediation
  • need to be in contact to share information about mediation

Children’s Services

Is your family involved with Children’s Services?

If yes, the Children’s Services Mediation Program might be a better fit.

Court order preventing contact

Is there a court order to prevent contact between you and the other parent?

If yes:

  • check if the court order allows you to meet in mediation or
  • you may need to have the court order changed to allow this

We will need a copy of the court order before scheduling an appointment.

Register for family mediation

Each parent must fill out and submit the form below.

Both parents need to register within 2 weeks of each other. The mediator will be in contact with each parent after both parents have registered.

It may take 2 to 3 weeks after registration for you to be contacted.

Family Mediation Program registration

All fields are required unless otherwise indicated.

Your information
One of the parties must have a gross income of $40,000 or less per year.
Is Children's Services currently involved with your family?
Are there any court orders preventing contact between you and the other parent?
Children
Other parent's information

The personal information collected through this form may be used for the purpose of contacting you about the Family Mediation program.

This personal information collection is authorized under section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act.

If you have any questions about this collection of personal information, you may contact the Manager, Family Mediation Program, Dispute Resolution Services at 403-297-6981, email [email protected] or you may write to:

Family Mediation Program, Dispute Resolution Services
Suite 706-S, Calgary Courts Centre
601 5 Street SW
Calgary, Alberta  T2P 5P7

Other options

There are other options if:

  • you do not qualify for our program
  • the other person does not want to attend mediation
  • you do not resolve all of the issues in mediation

You may need to talk to a lawyer if you need legal advice.

Hire a mediator

You can hire a family mediator who works in private practice.

Have the court decide

If you were never married:

If you are married or divorced:

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