What to expect …..

… when you are considering a divorce …

Come and see us!

We offer discernment coaching to help couples who feel hopeless about the path forward. We work with the couple to consider the current state of the relationship and work together to come to a resolution. It could be staying together, it could be divorce … it could be just sweeping it under the rug and going on your merry way. Whatever the decision – you will have reached with care and consideration of the many aspects in your relationship that could be affected by your choice.

Our process would look something like this:

1. You call us to discuss your current situation.
2. We speak with your spouse to ensure that they are also committed to discernment coaching.
3. If they are not, we come up with a plan for coaching for you which could include referrals out to lawyers, counsellors or other supports.
4. If you are both committed to discernment coaching, we begin our process with a commitment to one joint meeting.
5. At each joint meeting, the parties will meet individually with the coach and will then meet jointly to debrief.
6. After each meeting, we check in with both parties to determine if they want to move ahead with another session.
7. After no more than five sessions – the parties will decide how they want to move forward:
8. If the choice is divorce – we work with the parties to come up with terms for a separation agreement or we make referrals to lawyers in town;
9. If the choice is commit to counselling – we make referrals to a relationship counsellor from the list of counsellors that we work with;
10. If the choice is to continue as is … then we wish you well.

… when you and your spouse want to separate but don’t want to go to court …

Come and see us!

We can work with you and your spouse to mediate issues of parenting, support and property.

Our process looks a little like this:

1. You call us to discuss your current situation and to ensure that your situation is suitable for mediation.
2. We speak with your spouse to ensure that they are also committed to mediation and do the same intake to confirm that your situation is suitable for mediation.
3. We prepare a plan for mediation and commit to gathering documents for disclosure.
4. We schedule joint mediation sessions to discuss the various topics that you want to resolve.
5. After each session we write down the terms that you have agreed to in a Memorandum of Understanding. We add to the Memorandum as you reach more agreements.
6. If behaviors come up that are impeding the process, we offer coaching to either or both parties to get them over the hurdle.
7. Once all issues have been resolved, we create a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding and do a warm handoff to a family lawyer in town who will provide you with independent legal advice and a binding agreement.

We offer packages that combine mediation and coaching so that we can work with both of you towards a common goal while also coaching behaviors that may be impeding progress.

… when you are served with divorce papers …

Come and see us … after you have retained legal counsel!

Actually, you can always reach out to us and we would be happy to refer to you one of the many great family lawyers that we know. We can also refer you to a good counsellor and other supports that will work with you during this difficult time.

Since our role is not to provide legal advice, so we cannot do any legal filings or other legal work; however we can walk with you as a coach and support while you navigate the court system.

If at any point, you and your spouse decide to mediate issues, we are there to help with mediation. The process would look very similar to the process listed above.

… when you are tired of court …

Not all court proceedings need to go to trial. You can always opt out of court if both parties want to resolve issues between them. Court is a long and drawn out affair and often people become tired of the process long before a resolution is reached.

There are lots of avenues in our court system that allow people to move from trial to mediation. Speak with your lawyer about these options or, if you have decided to go a mediated settlement route, call us.