Do you qualify
This program is free. It is available if all these things apply:
- You are going through:
- separation or
- divorce
- Both parents agree to take part.
- One parent earns a gross income of $60,000 or less per year.
- 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
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:
- talk to a Family Court counsellor
If you are married or divorced:
- talk to an Information coordinator
Locations
Calgary
Suite 706-S, Calgary Courts Centre
601 5 Street SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P 5P7
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:15 am to 4 pm
Phone: 403-297-6981
Open in Google Maps for directions
Edmonton
Suite 8077, John E. Brownlee Building
10365 97 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3W7
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:15 am to 4 pm
Phone: 780-427-8329
Open in Google Maps for directions
Elsewhere in Alberta
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:15 am to 4 pm
Phone: 403-355-2414