Family Mediation Services in Victoria and Across BC

Amy Robertson Mediation Services

I work with families in transition often during a separation or divorce. I provide a child-focused mediation process and have significant experience helping families with their asset and debt division, as well as support responsibilities. My family mediation services reduce stress and costs and create the ability to move forward with a separation agreement in a timely way.

Stuck? Don’t worry.

We can figure it out.

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Why Choose Amy Robertson Mediation Services

Amy is a sought-after and experienced mediator who has designed and delivered mediation training for mediators and lawyers across Canada on her client-centred approach to family mediation. Amy has successfully mediated more than 900 mediations across the province with a particular focus on increasing Access to Justice for residents of British Columbia. Access to Justice (A2J) is about helping people avoid, manage and resolve legal problems and disputes.

Amy’s approach to mediation was developed to be consistent with the cornerstones of A2J values – helping people access justice services in a user-centered, expedient and cost-effective way. Amy is a Certified Advanced Comprehensive Family Mediator – from Family Mediation Canada which requires the highest standards for Family and Divorce Mediators in Canada. This level of certification is also the highest level achievable from Family Mediation Canada.

BCom with Distinction, C. Med, FMC Cert., CFM Advanced

A Client of Amy Robertson Mediation Services

Reduce Stress, Save Time, Save Money

Why Family Mediation Services in Victoria and Across BC can be Helpful

Mediation provides the opportunity to work collaboratively and for the participants to control the outcome. We will identify what is important to you and explore creative options for mutual satisfaction. By listening to my past client experiences, I have found four reasons why mediation can be helpful to you.

Voice

Mediation allows you the chance to talk about what is important to you, and your children.

Understanding

You gain a better understanding of the other’s point of view and what to do next.

Fairness

The majority of clients feel the process and outcome was fair because they were involved in all of the decisions.

Satisfaction

The majority of clients feel satisfied with their final outcome because they made informed decisions. Satisfaction increases acceptance and the endurability of agreements.

How Does Online Mediation with Amy Robertson Work

Working with me will follow the same steps and process whether we work together in person or online. Online mediation is an excellent option whether you prefer to mediate from the comfort of home, when both parents do not live in the same city, or if you live in an underserved community in BC.

Why Choose Mediation Before Considering Seeing a Lawyer

In my experience, when both spouses receive legal information and are supported from the same unbiased person (a qualified mediator), the likelihood of the best possible outcome is much higher and the costs are significantly lower. The legal system is not designed to meet your family’s goals. Lawyers can be a very important part of your support during this process and can participate in a number of different ways at different times in the mediation process.

My Family Mediation Process

My client-centred approach is designed to minimize the cost and the amount of time it takes my clients to have a plan or agreement in place. Clients can then move forward in their lives with a process tailored to their unique circumstance. I have also adjusted my approach over the years in consideration of the increase in stress many of my clients are experiencing during this challenging time which can change how information is processed, as well as how decisions should be made.

The majority of my clients are self-represented or want to use lawyers strategically and hire them on a limited scope retainer and attend mediation without counsel. About 80% of my family mediations are conducted without counsel participating in the mediation which is consistent with industry statistics. Please note that the process outlined below is adjusted when I am conducting a mediation with counsel present.

Steps in My Family Mediation Process

Step 1 — Consultation

Let’s determine if we are a fit. Most clients start out by sending me an email or giving me a phone call. Mediator fit is really important and this is best done over a conversation or consultation. Please note, I will only move to step 2 if both or all participants agree. See my Blog on How to choose a divorce mediator.

Step 2 — Pre-meeting

I meet with each person separately in a private and confidential meeting as required under the BC Family Law Act. I have several clear objectives for this meeting but ultimately it ensures we are all prepared for the mediation and I make sure I understand the context and background of your separation and any hopes or concerns you may have. We also start discussing the options for financial disclosure.

Step 3 — Mediation

I am here to support you and your former spouse to make all the decisions you need to make. I will provide you with legal information, child development information, options and resources if needed so that you both can make informed decisions. Most of my clients prefer a few half-day sessions with a few weeks in between so that they are not overwhelmed with homework and big decisions on their own or all in one day. They may want to get advice from their financial advisor, accountant, lawyer or their children before making final decisions.

Step 4 — Solution

I will draft an agreement that we will review together so that there is clarity on the entire agreement and so that we can discuss how you want to finalize your separation agreement. Transparency of options is important and so is consensus on what approach is preferred. This is a critical step that needs to be managed in order to avoid delays and extra costs. See my Blog on Do you have to be a lawyer to draft a Separation Agreement.