Resources for Separation and Divorce Mediation
Victoria & BC Resource Guide for Separation and Divorce Mediation in BC
This guide was created by mediator Amy Robertson and retired mediator Bobbi Poushinsky to help people navigate through one of the more complex and stressful times of their lives. We hope this guide makes it easier to locate the services or information you need as you work through your separation, divorce process or other transition. Please note that this guide is not intended as an endorsement of any particular service, it is a resource for separation and divorce mediation in BC.
This guide lists resources that consider your legal, financial and emotional needs during a separation and divorce.
In an effort to improve the current civil and family justice system in BC, a network of people and organizations are working together on an initiative known as Access to Justice BC (A2JBC). Access to Justice (A2J) is about helping people avoid, manage and resolve legal problems and disputes and we hope this guide supports increasing A2J in our community. This guide 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.
This guide is available for anyone to download for free and without any requirements to provide your name or contact information. We hope you find this information helpful!
This in depth article provides information on how to tell your child(ren) you are separating and how to help them cope with the changes. (PDF)
COVID 19 Guidelines for Divorced Parents
This handout has seven guidelines for parents who are divorced or separated during the COVID 19 pandemic. The intention of these guidelines are to help support both parents manage their parenting arrangements and co-parenting relationship during this uncertain time. (PDF)
Responding to Hostile Mail
Has communication broken down or escalated to the point of causing great stress? When both people follow the guidelines in this handout communication will stop being a trigger and start helping people share the information they need to in order to run their household or office. (PDF)
Divorce Rules
A checklist of dos and don’ts for parents who have divorced written from the perspective of children. (PDF)
Top Ten Ways to Protect Your Kids from the Fallout of a High Conflict Break-up
This article touches on how to talk to your kids about your separation, as well as how parents should conduct themselves going forward. (PDF)
Top 10 ways to help your child through divorce
There is an overwhelming number of tasks to complete when you have separated but checking in with your children needs to be at the top. This one page article has some easy to implement suggestions. (PDF)
Ten Tips for the Holidays
The holidays can be stressful for most adults. If you have separated there are some good guidelines to follow in this one page article. (PDF)
Making a Proposal
The method outlined in this handout is a great way to make decisions when you are not getting along with the person you need to reach an agreement with. This works well for families and in the workplace. (PDF)
This is an extremely comprehensive document with some valuable information. If you are feeling overwhelmed just read a few pages at a time or leave it for another time. (PDF)
Both parents should read this article. A lot of parents end up in my office because their co-parenting relationship has broken down. (PDF)