How Does Mediation Work for Parenting Disputes in Ontario?

Mediation is a way for parents to work out a parenting agreement with the help of a neutral person, and free family mediation is available at Ontario courthouses on the day you are in court. Off-site mediation is charged on a sliding scale based on income and number of dependents.

Mediation may not suit you if there has been abuse, or if you are afraid of the other parent or cannot speak freely. Tell the mediator or a lawyer about any safety concerns before you agree to take part.

An informal plan can be difficult to enforce, so put it in a separation agreement or court order. Parents who reach agreement during a case can ask a judge to make an order on consent. If you agree at a case conference, the judge may have you sign Minutes of Settlement and may then make an order based on them. In the Superior Court, motions on consent, unopposed motions and simple procedural motions are dealt with in writing, without a hearing, using Form 14B: Motion. A court order can only be changed by a new decision from the court.