Online Family Mediation in BC

The same process, wherever you are

The mediation process itself is exactly the same as our in-person approach. The only difference is that sessions take place virtually over Zoom, which lets us work together regardless of where you live.

Family mediators have relied on Zoom for years, and it suits the work well. We can meet together as a group, and when it helps, move into private one-on-one rooms to address a sensitive issue or unstick a difficult conversation. That is the same shuttle approach we use in person, and it translates cleanly to video.

Online mediation still lets everyone see and hear one another, which matters during emotionally charged discussions. At the same time, meeting virtually can take some of the intensity out of the room, which many people find makes it easier to think clearly and stay focused on planning.

Who we can help

We draft separation agreements under the BC Family Law Act, so we can assist clients anywhere in the province, as long as at least one spouse lives in British Columbia. That includes families in Vancouver, the Interior, the North, and the smaller island and coastal communities where finding an experienced family lawyer-mediator locally is difficult.

It also suits couples who no longer live in the same place. If one of you has moved away, online mediation is often the only practical way to work through everything together.

What you need

• A reliable internet connection and a device with a camera and microphone. A laptop or desktop works better than a phone, because you will be looking at documents and calculations on screen.
• A private space where you will not be overheard or interrupted for the length of the session.
• Your documents gathered in advance, using the financial disclosure checklist. We share everything through a secure folder rather than email.

Support and property calculations are prepared ahead of time and worked through on screen during the session, so you both see the same numbers update as decisions are made.

Starting online

Every mediation, online or in person, begins with a private pre-mediation meeting with each of you separately. Those meetings are held by Zoom as a matter of course, even for local clients.

All three of our paths work at a distance, including the self-guided Divii platform. See which path fits your situation, or read more about how the process works.