Get help from a family law professional at Djonin Law Office
You and your partner might not be able to agree on decision-making responsibility. This used to be called custody.
In family law you must think about using alternative dispute resolution (ADR) or a family dispute resolution process to resolve your issues out of court if it's suitable for you. ADR might not be right for you if:
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one person is afraid of another person because there is a history of family violence
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there are serious mental health or drug abuse issues
A family law professional may be able to help you resolve your issues out of court. They are people who are trained to help you reach an agreement or make a decision for you by using an ADR process.
These processes include:
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mediation
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arbitration
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mediation-arbitration
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collaborative family law
Deciding which process is best for you depends on the facts of your situation and what you want. For example, a mediator doesn't make decisions for you, but an arbitrator does.
Some of the reasons to use ADR instead of going to court are:
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You have more control over what happens.
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It can be faster and cheaper.
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It can be less stressful.
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It takes place in a private setting.
Each family court location in Ontario offers subsidized mediation services. You can get up to 8 hours of mediation for a fee that is based on each person's income. You can use this service whether or not your have a court case. And if you have a court case, you can get up to 2 hours of mediation for free at the court. Additionally, Legal Aid Ontario often assists clients with free mediation services.
Contact us today to find out how we can help you get the decision making arrangement that works for you.