Family Mediation

Do you qualify

Parents, grandparents, guardians or others who have a significant role in a child’s life and are in dispute can register for this program.

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

You have disagreements and you are going through:

separation or
divorce

One parent has a gross income of $60,000 or less per year.
There is agreement to participate in mediation.
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 you resolve disagreements about 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 your responsibilities and obligations during separation or divorce:

Read the section about 'Family & Relationships' at the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta website.
Read the Government of Canada's Family Law website.

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

Calgary and Edmonton requirements

If you plan to make an application about a Family Law dispute in Calgary or Edmonton:

Read the Family Law Mandatory Requirements Information Package.

Financial disclosure

If you want to discuss any financial matters at mediation, including child support, you must exchange financial information with the other parent:

Download and fill out the Financial Disclosure Statement to give the other parent.

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

Does your family currently have a Children’s Services case worker? You may be referred to the Children's Services Mediation Program instead.

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

Parents should register directly for this program using this online registration form. Lawyers are not required to register or register you on your behalf.

All fields are required unless otherwise indicated.

Your information

Town or city where you live

First name

Last name

Date of birth

Phone 5555555555 x55555

Email [email protected]

Other contact information (optional)

How did you hear about this program?

Relationship to child (mother/father/parent/etc.)

Issues I would like to resolve (e.g. parenting plan, decision-making, communication, child support)

Requested mediator (The program cannot guarantee you will get the mediator of your choice.) (optional)

One of the parties must have a gross income of $60,000 or less per year.

Income (enter approximate annual income before taxes, do not include the $) 012345

Is Children's Services currently involved with your family and you have a case worker?

Yes

No

Are there any court orders preventing contact between you and the other parent (e.g. Emergency Protection Order, No Contact Order, Conditions)?

Yes

No

Children

Youngest child's first name

Youngest child's last name

Youngest child's date of birth

Town or city where the child lives

Names and birthdates of any other children: (optional)

Other parent's information

First name

Last name

Date of birth (optional)

Town or city where they live

Relationship to child (mother/father/parent/etc.)

If there are more than 2 people involved in this dispute, please provide their name, where they live, their birthdate and their relationship to the child. (optional)

The personal information collected through the ‘Family Mediation’ web page will be used for the purpose of a staff member replying to your enquiry.

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

Contact us if you have questions regarding the collection, use, or disclosure of this information, at 1-855-738-4747.

General questions about the FOIP Act may be directed to the FOIP/PIPA Help Desk.

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.

Family resolution hub

Use the Family Resolution Hub to understand your options, including how to get a divorce, and get a summary of the steps you can take.

If you do not have a lawyer, contact Information Services to start a court process or get information about divorce.

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

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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

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Elsewhere in Alberta

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:15 am to 4 pm
Phone: 403-355-2414