Family Mediation for Toronto Families
Family mediation is a voluntary, confidential process. A neutral mediator helps separating or divorcing spouses talk through parenting time, child support, spousal support and the division of property, and reach their own agreement. The mediator does not decide for you.
For many Toronto families, mediation is faster and less stressful than a court case, and it keeps decisions in your hands. It works for married spouses, common-law partners and parents who were never together. For the full overview, see our guide to family mediation in Ontario.
Virtual Mediation: No Travel Across the City
Getting across Toronto for a daytime appointment is a real obstacle for many people. Iqbal Law holds mediation sessions by video, so there is no commute, no parking and no need to take a full day off work.
Flexible Scheduling
Sessions can be booked around work and childcare.
Anywhere in the GTA
Toronto, North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Vaughan and beyond.
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.
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.
Mediation and Toronto Family Court
Mediation can be used before a court case starts or after one has begun. Many people in Toronto try it first because court dates can be months away. If a case is already in the Toronto courts, you can still mediate and, if you settle, ask the court for a consent order.
If you are not sure which route fits, read litigation, mediation or collaborative divorce. For divorce steps in Toronto, see divorce in Toronto and our Toronto family lawyer page.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Virtual sessions are held by video, so each person can join from home or work. You do not need to be in the same room or even the same city.
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.
No. A mediator is neutral and helps both people reach their own agreement. That is why each spouse should have a lawyer review the terms before signing.
Partial agreements are common. You can settle parenting first and return to property or support later, or take the unresolved issues to court. Settled points can narrow what a judge has to decide.
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.