Making an agreement
You and your partner can try to make a separation agreement about the things you agree on. You can talk to your partner on your own or with the help of someone you both trust, if it’s safe to do this.
You can also work with a family law professional, such as a mediator, arbitrator, parenting coordinator, or collaborative family law lawyer.
These options are sometimes called alternative dispute resolution (ADR) or family dispute resolution processes.
Each family court location offers subsidized mediation services for up to 8 hours. The fees you pay depend on your income. And if you have a court case, you can get up to 2 hours for free. See ontario.ca/page/family-mediation-service-providers.
In family law cases, you must think about using ADR to resolve your issues out of court if it’s suitable for your situation. ADR might not work for you if:
- you’re afraid of your partner because there’s a history of family violence
- there are serious mental health or drug abuse issues
For more information on ADR and for help finding a family law professional, visit stepstojustice.ca/adr.
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