We Do It Differently
The divorce mediation programs, also available for common law separations, at Teryl Scott Lawyers Inc. empower you to complete your separation agreement with less conflict than traditional divorces. Divorces do not need to be so hostile, expensive or drawn out. We offer these timeline options for completion of your separation agreement:
- One-Week (no-conflict), you bring the terms and we draft the agreement
- Three-Week divorce mediation program (low-conflict), we help craft the full agreement when there is one major issue in disagreement
- Four-Week divorce mediation program (medium-conflict), we help craft the full agreement when there are multiple major issues in disagreement
- Four-Week divorce mediation program with court settlement (high-conflict), if necessary the judge will collaboratively order any remaining terms of the agreement that were not resolved in mediation
As industry leaders, our family lawyers in Halifax provide flat-fee services with short timelines– just some of the ongoing innovations we are making.
Better tools. Less conflict. Happier families.
Here are a few of the areas our separation and divorce mediation lawyers in Halifax assist with:
- Asset and debt division
- Child custody and parenting times
- Child support
- Separation agreements
- Spousal support (alimony)
Lisa Teryl
Co-founder of Teryl Scott Lawyers Inc.
Book Now
Our Halifax family mediation lawyers, who serve all of Nova Scotia, can see you within the week. Your first meeting can be by video, in person or by telephone.
Select your booking preference:
by phone (902-706-5030)
or through our on-line calendar
Our Services In Divorce Mediation
Option One: One-Week No Mediation Program (no-conflict)
The One-Week (no conflict) option involves the preparation of a separation agreement without family mediation. When the parties can agree on all issues without the help of a family mediator, they choose option one. With this option, we help the parties draft their separation agreement based on their mutual understanding.
If the parties have multiple debts or assets, an equalization spreadsheet also needs to be prepared. This is a list of assets and debts each party will be keeping, which also considers the tax implications for each asset. These calculations will determine exactly how much one party owes the other party to make the division of assets equal.
The cost to create the agreement is typically $1,400 (plus $75 admin fee and HST) per person, after the initial consultation. Preparation of the agreement is done with one party, or together with the parties, in one session (normally by video conference). If the equalization spreadsheet is required to divide assets, the cost is $900 (plus HST) per person.
Option Two: Three-Week Divorce Mediation Program (low-conflict)
Our Three-Week divorce mediations are for couples who can negotiate outside of the family mediation sessions and they have had assistance from the family mediator in understanding what is legally fair and reasonable.
The cost of the Three-Week divorce or separation mediation is $2,800 (plus $75 admin fee and HST) per person, after the initial consultation.
The family mediator determines whether the parties qualify for the Three-Week program. The program is designed for low-conflict situations where there is one major issue in disagreement between parties, but where the parties can talk to each other.
- Week one: Meet the mediator. The family mediator meets with each party separately for up to 2 hours (normally by video conference) to prepare a draft separation agreement and an equalization spreadsheet.
- Week two: Review the separation agreement. The family mediator meets with both parties together for up to 2 hours to review the draft separation agreement and the equalization spreadsheet created in week one (normally by video conference).
- Between week two and three, each party will meet with his or her lawyer to receive an “independent legal advice certificate." (This fee is not part of the program and is paid directly to the independent counsel. We have a list of friendly lawyers and their fees, or you can use your own. It will take approximately 1-2 hours).
- Week three: Sign the separation agreement with the mediator. Mediator meets for 1 hour with the parties together to review the recommendations made by their lawyers and to make any necessary changes to the separation agreement. The parties sign the draft agreement with the mediator.
Option Three: Four-Week Divorce Mediation Program (medium conflict)
Our Four-Week divorce mediations, without court settlement, are for couples who have multiple major issues in disagreement.
The cost of the Four-Week divorce or separation mediation is $3,800 (plus $75 admin fee and HST) per person, after the initial consultation. This program is also for common law separations.
The family mediator determines whether the parties qualify for the Four-Week (medium conflict) program. The program is designed for medium conflict situations where the parties disagree on multiple major issues such as: the value of the matrimonial home, who will take possession of the home, the date of separation, child parenting times, spousal support, and pension division, but can communicate outside of the mediation sessions. This program is also used for parties who own a business.
- Week one: Meet the mediator. The family mediator meets with each party separately for up to 2 hours (normally by video conference) to prepare a draft separation agreement and an equalization spreadsheet.
- Week two: The mediator continues to collect information from the parties and craft the separation agreement together with the parties for up to 2 hours (normally by video conference).
- Week three: Review the separation agreement and the equalization spreadsheet. The family mediator meets with both parties together for up to 2 hours to review the draft separation agreement created in week one and two (normally by video conference).
- Between week three and four, each party will meet with his or her lawyer to receive an “independent legal advice certificate." (This fee is not part of the program and is paid directly to the independent counsel. We have a list of friendly lawyers and their fees, or you can choose your own. It will take approximately 1-2 hours).
- Week four: Sign the separation agreement with the mediator. Mediator meets for 1 hour with the parties together to review the recommendations made by their lawyers and to make any necessary changes to the separation agreement. The parties sign the draft agreement with the mediator.
Option Four: Safe-Parting Program
This program is for if you feel that you would like to participate in family mediation for the benefits of privacy, financial savings and/or a quicker resolution, but are concerned there may be larger emotional issues which could prevent the success of the separation mediation. This Safe-Parting Program involves the parties working with a legal facilitator to come to a fair and reasonable resolution for both parties. Our partners, specially trained high-conflict therapeutic counsellors, are available for additional fees if needed, to help work through some of the emotional barricades that can be part of high conflict divorces and separations.
Read more details about Safe-Parting Program.
Call today and we will help you assess your situation and find a program that works best for you.
We believe in divorce mediation as a better solution for families and are so excited to see it gaining recognition as an alternative to divorce litigation. The courts of England are recognizing the benefits of it for children so much that they are considering making it mandatory in regards to child custody arrangements. Read about how Move aims to help families in England and Wales resolve issues while reducing pressure on courts and impact on children through mediation.
Our Testimonials
Lisa is extremely knowledgeable, professional and personable. She made the entire process as painless as possible and I felt very supported throughout. I would highly recommend Lisa’s services.
Lisa is a dedicated professional who cares about her clients needs and her friendly assistant Shannon keeps everyone on the same page. Because of the exceptional service and reasonable fee’s, I can only say to recommend her firm for anyone needing family law experts period!
I had a good experience with Teryl Scott through my mediation. Lisa did a great job of informing of the process of mediation across distant (Ontario & Nova Scotia) provinces. My file was quite complex given my financial situation; however, I thought Lisa did a good job of managing expectations throughout the process.
In hindsight, I would recommend we add additional mediation time for more complex situations (like mine), though, I recognize my situation was unique which created a bit of unnecessary rushing at the end. I’d highly recommend this firm and Lisa for any mediation! I would have liked to have more time to find a mutual solution.. But overall, I can move forward and “sleep at night” with this arrangement 🙂
DJM
