Family Mediation for Ottawa Families
Family mediation is a voluntary, confidential process. A neutral mediator helps separating or divorcing spouses work out parenting time, child support, spousal support and the division of property, and reach their own agreement. The mediator does not decide for you.
It can work for married spouses, common-law partners and parents who were never together. Many families find it faster and less stressful than a court case. For the full overview, see our guide to family mediation in Ontario.
Mediate From Ottawa Without Travelling
Iqbal Law is based in the Greater Toronto Area and meets clients in Ottawa by video. You do not need to drive or take a day off work for an appointment in another city, and neither does your spouse.
Flexible Scheduling
Sessions can be booked around work, shifts and childcare.
Different Locations
You and your spouse can join from different parts of Ottawa, or from different cities.
Documents Shared Electronically
Financial disclosure and draft terms can be exchanged and reviewed between sessions.
When virtual may not suit: if one person cannot take part privately or safely online, or there is a safety concern, tell the mediator at intake so the process can be adjusted.
What Can Be Mediated
- Parenting: decision-making responsibility, parenting time and a parenting plan. See child custody and parenting time.
- Child support: amounts, add-on expenses and disclosure. See child support in Ontario.
- Spousal support: whether it is payable, how much and for how long. Try the spousal support calculator.
- Property and the matrimonial home: equalization, the home, pensions and debts.
- Separation terms: turning your agreement into a separation agreement.
Things Ottawa Families Often Need to Sort Out
Every family is different, but Ottawa separations often involve questions such as these:
- Pensions. Many Ottawa households have workplace pensions, and these can form part of the property division. Disclosure of pension statements is usually needed early. See dividing pensions and RRSPs in an Ontario divorce.
- The family home. Whether to sell, or whether one spouse buys the other out. See matrimonial home steps before separation.
- Where each of you lives. If one spouse lives across the provincial border or moves away, tell us early. Residency affects where a divorce can be filed. An Ontario divorce application requires that at least one spouse has lived in Ontario for at least one year.
- Parenting schedules. Shift work, travel or an out-of-town move can change what parenting time looks like in practice.
How Mediation Works
Mediation preparation
The mediator meets each person individually, then both of you together. This checks that mediation is suitable and safe, and sets out the issues and documents needed.
Exchange of information
Both people share the financial and other documents needed for a fair discussion.
Joint sessions
The mediator helps you work through one issue at a time.
Memorandum of understanding
Agreed terms are written down in a summary document.
Independent legal advice and signing
Each person gets their own lawyer to review the terms. A separation agreement in Ontario must be in writing, signed and witnessed to be enforceable.
About Your Mediator
Nasar Iqbal is the principal lawyer at Iqbal Law, with 20+ years in courts. He has completed Family Mediation Training at York University and is pursuing accreditation with the Ontario Association for Family Mediation (OAFM). Iqbal Law can also provide independent legal advice to review a mediated agreement where appropriate. To discuss your situation, visit our contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Sessions are held by video, so you can join from home or work in Ottawa or anywhere else in Ontario.
No. Iqbal Law offers mediation to Ottawa clients by video. Our offices are in the Greater Toronto Area.
Not on its own. The mediator records what you agree in a memorandum of understanding. Each person should then get independent legal advice, and the terms can be turned into a separation agreement or a consent order.
Yes. Mediation can be used at any stage. If you settle, you can ask the court for a consent order.
Not always. Tell the mediator at intake. Each person is screened separately, and the process can be adjusted, or another route considered, if mediation is not safe.
Iqbal Law charges package fees per spouse, plus HST: $500 for Mediation Preparation, $2,000 for Financial / Property Mediation and $3,000 for Comprehensive Mediation. See the full details on our family mediation cost page.