Many separating or divorcing couples are choosing to go to family mediation, rather than family court to resolve the legal issues between them. They do this because family mediation is usually, faster, much less expensive, less emotionally draining and results in much more tailored resolutions that family court. Some people incorrectly believe that they can avoid seeing a lawyer by choosing mediation. Ontario Law says that is not the case. In addition, there are many good reasons to get help from a lawyer before, during and after mediation. This is not just a pitch by lawyers to keep business. To show why having getting help from a lawyer during mediation is helpful, even essential, we invited Accredited Family Mediator, Todd Slonim, to the podcast to explain.
Mr. Slonim, who is a professional and accredited family mediator conducts mediations both at the Toronto Family Court Mediation Service and privately, explains how parties who have assistance of lawyers find that the mediation goes more smoothly, has better and more creative resolution, and results in a more lasting agreement. When the parties get help from good family lawyers, they get better results more quickly and at lower cost. Mr. Slonim explains why that is the case and some of the problems that arise when parties do not have lawyers assist them with preparing for mediation and understanding the mediation process. From the perspective of a family mediator, Mr. Slonim describes how the involvement of family lawyers, early on, significantly helps the mediation process and leads to better results for the separating or divorcing couples. Especially in mediations over financial matters, one or both parties not having a lawyer can actually impede the mediation process. But, in every mediation, lawyers facilitate and expedite the process by ensuring the parties stay focussed on reasonable outcomes.
To assist with understanding the content of this podcast, Mr. Slonim, prepared slides that highlight the points he makes. Those slides show up on your screen.
Mediation is an excellent process. But it can lead to poor results when the parties do not know what they are doing. Listen to this edition of the podcast to hear why seeing a family lawyer is essential for getting the best possible results from the family mediation process.
The host of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, John Schuman, is a Certified Specialist in Family Law and Divorce Trial Lawyer, mediator, arbitrator and collaborative lawyer, practicing in Toronto at Devry Smith Frank LLP, which is a full service law firm with several excellent lawyers in family law.
