A Step-by-Step Guide to Separation & Divorce Mediation
By Michelle Garneau
Separation and divorce can be overwhelming, and often people don’t know where to start. They are going through a range of emotions and need help navigating this process. Mediation offers a more collaborative, cost-effective, and supportive way to resolve your separation and divorce issues and reach agreements outside of court.
Below is a step-by-step guide about how the mediation process works.
Step 1: Understand What Mediation is About
Mediation is a more informal, confidential process where the mediator helps you to communicate with one another, resolve conflict, and find common ground. The mediator is neutral and does not take sides or make decisions for you. You can reach agreements about parenting matters, child and spousal support, and the division of assets and debts in mediation.
Step 2: Check if Mediation is Required
Currently, some form of alternative dispute resolution is usually required before legal proceedings can take place in Edmonton, Red Deer, and Calgary. Mediation is a type of dispute resolution process.
Step 3: Choose the Right Mediator
Look for a mediator who is a Registered Family Mediator, belongs to a professional organization, and has extensive experience. Find out how long they have been a mediator and how many mediations they have conducted.
Step 4: Prepare for Mediation
Once you have chosen a mediator, you will each have a one-on-one meeting (pre-mediation) with the mediator. During this meeting, the mediator will find out what you want to get resolved and help you to prepare for the mediation. You may be asked to gather income and other financial documents. Think about some options you would like to propose. If you have children, consider their needs, what will be best for them, and take the Parenting After Separation online course.
Step 5: Attend Mediation
Mediation is a more informal, confidential process where the mediator helps you to communicate with one another, resolve conflict, and find common ground. The mediator is neutral and does not take sides or make decisions for you. You can reach agreements about parenting matters, child and spousal support, and the division of assets and debts in mediation.
Step 6: Finalize an Agreement
Mediation sessions are usually 1–2 hours in length. These meetings are held by phone, virtually, or in person. Through your conversations in mediation, the mediator will help you to identify issues, gain understanding of one another’s perspective, and explore options. You can build agreements that work for both of you.
Michelle M. Garneau
B.Sc., Registered Family Mediator | Garneau Mediation Services
📍 Office: 780.417.3119
📱 Cell: 780.499.9815
✉️ Email: michelle@garneaumediation.ca
🔗 Website: www.garneaumediation.ca
🏢 Address: 15-2016 Sherwood Drive, Sherwood Park, AB T8A 3X3
Garneau Mediation Services
📌 This article was originally published in Divorce Magazine Canada – Summer Issue 2025
🔗 Read the full issue here
Meet the Author - Michelle M. Garneau
Michelle Garneau, a Psychology/Biology graduate from the University of Alberta, has 17 years of experience in the workforce. She has developed communication, negotiation, and training skills through her extensive sales experience. Michelle pursued mediation training through the Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society and has worked as a family mediator with Family Justice Services in Edmonton. She is a Board member with the Alberta Family Mediation Society and a member of various dispute resolution organizations. Michelle continues to pursue education in mediation and dispute resolution.
Note: The author, compiler and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party due to these words coming from the author’s own opinion based on their experiences. This account is based on the author’s own personal experience. We assume no responsibility for errors or omissions in these articles.
