Family and Divorce Mediation Services in Victoria, BC and Across BC

I help families navigate separation and divorce through a practical, child-focused family mediation process. I have extensive experience helping couples work through parenting, asset and debt division and support matters. My approach reduces stress and costs while helping you reach a timely, comprehensive separation agreement.

Why Choose Amy Robertson Mediation Services

Amy is a sought-after and experienced mediator with more than 1,300 mediations completed. She has developed a process that is affordable, practical, respectful and proportionate to the decisions you need to make. It is particularly well suited to couples who want to mediate together without lawyers present, while still having the option to involve lawyers if or when needed.

Amy has also designed and delivered mediation training for mediators and lawyers across Canada and is a Certified Advanced Comprehensive Family Mediator with Family Mediation Canada, the highest level of family mediation certification available in Canada.

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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

Many families choose mediation services because it equips them with the tools, knowledge and guidance required for their separation. 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. Over 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. Check out these two posts for more information: How to Choose a Divorce Mediator and Why Trust and Mediator Fit Matter in Family Mediation.

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. I also provide you with a streamlined checklist 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 complete the process in two to three shorter 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. Pacing of sessions can be adjusted.

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. Read more information here: Do You Have to be a Lawyer to Draft a Separation Agreement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about mediation? Find clear answers to common questions about the mediation process, costs, timelines, and what to expect when working with a mediator in Victoria, BC.

How do I know if mediation is right for us?

Mediation can be a good option when both people are willing to participate in a process aimed at reaching their own agreement, even if they currently disagree about important issues.

You do not need to have everything figured out before you begin, and you do not need to agree on the outcome. What matters is whether both people can participate meaningfully in the process and whether the process can be structured in a way that supports informed and voluntary decision-making.

When both people do agree on most issues, we tend to move through the process faster and the mediation often costs less for these families.

Safety, significant power imbalances, communication difficulties and other circumstances can affect whether mediation is appropriate and how it should be structured. This is one reason I start by determining whether I am a good fit for both people before moving into the mediation process.

Choosing a mediator is about more than availability. Trust, expertise, experience and personality fit can all matter.

What is different about your process when both spouses are self-represented?

Self-represented mediation is not about doing less, it’s about doing things differently.

When lawyers are not participating in the mediation sessions, the mediator is the only professional in the room. That means the process needs to provide enough structure, education and guidance for both people to participate meaningfully without becoming overwhelmed.

Over the years, I have intentionally adapted my process for self-represented clients. This can include shorter sessions, thoughtful pacing, relevant and streamlined financial disclosure, education about the issues being discussed, reality-checking proposals and time between sessions to reflect or obtain outside advice.

The process is also flexible. If both people want to move quickly, we can adjust the pace. If it becomes clear that legal advice or a lawyer’s participation would be helpful, that can be incorporated into the process.

How do I know whether I need legal advice during mediation?

Self-determination is a hallmark of mediation and you ultimately get to choose whether or not you want to get legal advice from a family law lawyer.

In my experience, it often becomes clear if the parties involved should consult with a lawyer (no mediator can provide legal advice).

I can, however, provide legal information and help identify issues that may warrant further consideration. I can also explain the practical implications of different options and let you know when I think it may be useful to obtain advice from another professional.

Some clients choose to obtain independent legal advice before signing their final agreement. Others choose to speak with a lawyer at an earlier stage or when they reach a particularly complex issue. Many clients choose not to consult with a lawyer at all.

The important thing is that you understand the distinction between legal information and legal advice and have the opportunity to obtain independent advice if you want it.

How do we know what financial information we actually need for mediation?

Financial disclosure is an important part of making informed decisions, but I don’t believe it should automatically mean collecting every possible document before mediation can begin. I provide my clients with a streamlined checklist of documents needed for disclosure after our pre-meeting.

I have a strong financial background and approach financial disclosure by first understanding the decisions that need to be made and then determining what information will help both people make those decisions. It is best when families understand and agree to the dates and process together for relevant disclosure in mediation without lawyers present.

Depending on your circumstances, this may involve information about the family home, other property, debts, investments, pensions, RRSPs, businesses, income or other financial interests.

Sometimes an appraisal or valuation will be useful; sometimes it may not be necessary. In many cases, the people making the decisions should have a say in what information or valuation is needed.

The goal is to have enough reliable information to make informed decisions without creating unnecessary cost, delay or overwhelm.

What happens once we have reached an agreement?

Reaching agreement is an important milestone, but it is not necessarily the end of the process.

I draft an agreement that we review together so that everyone understands what has been agreed to and so that we can discuss how you want to make your agreement binding, as well as whether or not you want to get independent legal advice before you sign anything.

My goal is to make sure that the final stage is handled thoughtfully and for self-represented clients to know that there are options that involve using lawyers and options for those that do not want to use lawyers.

A clear and comprehensive separation agreement should give you a practical roadmap for moving forward.

How much does family mediation cost in BC?

You will learn that working with me is one of the more affordable options available, while also benefiting from the experience I have gained through more than 1,300 mediations.

One of the reasons I focus on self-represented mediation is that it can reduce the number or time of professionals involved, which can lower the overall cost for my clients. I have also streamlined a process for my clients to get a legally binding separation agreement at no additional cost. Clients also have the option to pay a family law lawyer for independent legal advice or legal drafting.

My goal is to provide a process that is proportionate to the decisions you need to make and thorough enough to support informed decisions without adding unnecessary cost or complexity.

My entire process is designed to be cost-effective. Because every family’s circumstances are different, I am happy to discuss your situation and provide an estimate of the cost of your mediation. Please reach out to me to discuss pricing.

Read what clients have said about working with me

What My Clients Have to Say

" I have been helping a friend through some of the nitty gritty of his divorce and the ramifications of the separation agreement that was written for him and his ex. It has made me realize just how skilled you are in your work. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am very grateful for the care and attention you put into the important details that will have a large impact on the lives of my children. "

" Thank you so much for doing such an amazing job with [my former spouse] and myself. Thank you for making me feel comfortable through the process and for your knowledge that you shared with us when explaining various aspects of the process or answering my questions. You are very good at your job and I felt like I was in very knowledgeable and qualified hands. Thank you. "

" Thank you so much for providing [my former spouse] & me with mediation and guidance through the intricacies of the separation process. Your knowledge, personality and professionalism made this possible for us to come together in a collaborative and meaningful way allowing both of us to feel we have approached this ‘restructure’ of our family in the best possible way. "

" We appreciate the work you have done for us and I believe the service you provided was the best for our situation. You’re a good person and you care for the people that you’re working with. That was my feeling throughout the short process of our mediation sessions. "

“ To have the guidance, skill set and calming approach that Amy was able to provide was invaluable. Excellent communication skills in person, by phone and over email. The child focussed approach was appreciated and gave a voice to those that are also trying to adjust to a different life. Amy was able to break down the process step-by-step, leading with a gentle mix of compassion and practicality. ”

“Thank you for all your help over the last few months. I truly appreciate your efforts to keep us focused, on task and moving forward. I’m grateful we were able to have you guide us during this difficult time."

“ Thank you so very much for all of your hard work, patience, kindness and compassion. I truly appreciated it, and you got everything resolved for both of us. I especially am looking forward to a new future. I am so grateful for you. ”

Values that Guide My Family Mediation Practice

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Victoria BC Family Mediation Services Located in Oak Bay

Amy’s Victoria, BC office is located on Oak Bay Avenue near the Jubilee neighborhood, with free parking available nearby for in-person appointments. For clients anywhere else in British Columbia, online family mediation is available so you can meet from wherever’s most comfortable.