Aligned Choices Mediation

Even if they are also a lawyer, no family mediator can provide legal advice to any of their clients. We can provide you with legal information directly, refer you to online resources like stepstojustice.ca, or help you negotiate the terms of a separation agreement… but we cannot advise you in any way.

If you and your spouse can usually come to agreement on child related issues and you trust the others financial reporting, Family Mediation with ILA (Independent Legal Advice) alone is an option. Once you have created a memorandum of understanding in a Mediation process, you can take that document to a family lawyer for ILA.

This is not the same thing as hiring a lawyer on retainer for a “court battle”, and it’s important to choose a lawyer who’s aligned with your goals to keep the process moving as smoothly as possible towards that legally binding agreement.

Good ILA is meant to:
- ensure you have the information to make sure you made the best possible decisions;
- review the financial documents, make suggestions, and make sure you understand all of your responsibilities.

A settlement focused lawyer who provides ILA isn’t going to:
- upset the agreement you created in mediation;
- or push you into making a deal you don’t want to be a part of.

Please remember that you can choose to follow or not the legal advice you’re getting.

In today's Blog I address clients who may be surprised to know that for best results the Family Mediation process includes the advice and expertise of a Family Lawyer.

https://wp.me/pcDdlO-1Io Link to Blog