Divorce Mediation Lawyers
divorce MEDIATORS
Brookshire Law Office offers a popular three-week divorce mediation program in Halifax that allows you to resolve some outstanding divorce and separation matters in a timely and cost effective manner. If you are accepted into the program, each spouse pays a flat fee $2,800 (+ HST) which results in the creation of a separation agreement. The mediation sessions are by video conference (Zoom) or in-person if requested. If the divorce mediator finds in your consultation, that there are a large number of areas where you do not agree, you may be asked to use our four or five week divorce mediation program instead. This will allow the proper time and consideration for the number of areas of major disagreement.
How Our Three-Week Divorce Mediation Program Works
The three-week divorce mediation program, for couples with one major area of disagreement, is structured as follows:
- 1st week: the divorce mediator works with each spouse separately to draft a separation agreement.
- 2nd week: the divorce mediator meets together with the spouses to review the draft agreement.
- Between 2nd and 3rd week: the spouses are encouraged to consult with a lawyer of their choosing to receive independent legal advice on the draft agreement–we can provide the spouses with a list of qualified mediation lawyers for this review.
- 3rd week: the divorce mediator meets together with the spouses to finalize the draft agreement. The 3rd week typically ends with the spouses signing a separation agreement that resolves any and all outstanding family law issues.
divorce mediation
Lawyers Halifax
Shawn A. Scott – Family Mediation
Our Divorce Mediation Team
With over 25 years experience Shawn Scott, the founder and senior legal counsel at Brookshire Law Office, is here to help with your divorce mediation needs. As an alternative to traditional litigation, mediation can help you save time and money.
Our divorce mediation team knows that separations can be a challenging life event. Our mediators offer these flat fee mediations to help you get through this time as quickly and peacefully as possible.
Family Law Mediation Fees
Control your legal costs with our flat fee services:
*all prices plus HST and expenses
After our divorce mediation programs, the spouses may want to proceed with an uncontested divorce (provided they have a signed agreement). The divorce mediator can prepare all court documents needed for their divorce. The cost for each spouse is $900 (plus HST).
Although Brookshire Law Office provides efficient and effective divorce mediation programs, some spouses require the assistance of a family court judge. If requested, a judge will agree to meet with the spouses for an afternoon and collaboratively work with them to secure an agreement on any remaining issues. To book a judge, certain documents must be prepared and filed with the court. The divorce mediator will prepare and file these documents – the cost for each spouse is $1,250 (plus HST).
divorce mediation programs
Offered By Our Divorce Mediatiors
Who Qualifies for the Four-Week Divorce Mediation Program (medium conflict)
The four-week divorce mediation program is designed for medium-conflict situations. For example, the parties may disagree on multiple major issues such as: the value of the matrimonial home and who will take possession of the home. Other issues may include the date of separation, child parenting times, spousal support, and pension division. The four-week program is also used for parties who own a business.
How Our Four-Week Divorce Mediation Program (medium conflict) Works
- 1st week: In the first week a draft separation agreement and an equalization spreadsheet are made. To do this, the family mediator meets with each party (normally by video conference) separately for up to 2 hours.
- 2nd week: The mediator continues to craft the separation agreement by collecting information from the parties. The mediator will meet together with the parties for up to 2 hours (normally by video conference).
- 3rd Week: The third week is used to review the separation agreement and the equalization spreadsheet with the family mediator. The mediator will meet with both parties together for up to 2 hours to review the draft separation agreement (normally by video conference).
- Between the 3rd and 4th week: Each party will meet with their lawyer to receive an “independent legal advice” certificate. (This will take 1-2 hours and the fee for that time is not part of the program).
- 4th week: In this week parties will sign the separation agreement with the mediator. The mediator will first meet with the parties for 1 hour to review the recommendations made by their lawyers and to make any necessary changes to the separation agreement. The parties will then sign the agreement with the mediator.
Who Qualifies for the Four-Week Divorce Mediation with Court Settlement Preparation (high conflict)
Our four week with court settlement preparation divorce mediation program is for high-conflict situations. These are people who can no longer communicate directly with each other.
How Our Four-Week Divorce Mediation with Court Settlement Preparation (high conflict) Works
- 1st and 2nd week: In the first two weeks the mediator meets separately with the parties for a total of up to two hours each. The mediator begins drafting the separation agreement, with the parties, as well as an equalization spreadsheet, and all the court documents needed to get a date with the settlement judge (binding or non binding).
- 3rd and 4th week: The mediator has both parties on a video conference call for up to two hours. The parties will be in breakout rooms and may or may not be together at the same time. There must be a mutual consent if they are to meet together. Both parties will review the separation agreement and the equalization spreadsheet with the mediator.
- Between the 3rd and 4th week: The parties will see their independent legal advice counsel. Typically the appointment takes 1-2 hours (this fee is not part of the program).
- 4th week: The mediator will meet for up to 2 hours to evaluate and make changes to the separation agreement and equalization spreadsheet that were suggested by the independent legal advice lawyers.
- Court Settlement: If there are any unresolved issues left after the program is complete, the parties will go to a settlement conference. These conferences with a judge are approximately a four-month wait in Halifax. The court will call the parties to arrange the conference.
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