Useful Tips

Want more information about the mediation process? It is discussed in a Be Smart about Mediation episode with *Cara **Raich, *Deborah Moskovitch* and *Steve Peck. **

In a recent report, mediation[sitetree_link id=9], parent education, and support services have been identified as being able to help people avoid litigation in family files.

Ontario leads the way with healthier options for divorcing couples:

Divorce is painful.  There are ways to make the process easier.  Here are my top five tips:

“Why is mediation a good choice?" Fair question.  People are becoming increasingly interested in looking at mediation as an alternative to the traditional 'duke em out' approach through lawyers.  So they read some websites describing how mediation works, but they still want to know 'why' it is better. 

Don't miss our free public seminar: "Finding the Best Legal Options for Me: from do-it-yourself divorce kits to going to court" presented by Leisa MacIntosh, family lawyer & mediator.  Leisa will explain the different legal options available to separating couples and provide tips on how to choose the right service for you.  Topics covered will include online divorce-kits, family mediation, collaborative divorce and family court.  Leisa will also talk about how and when to include children's voices into the divorce process.  Psychologist Susan Hartley will also be present to provide information to parents about co-parenting and how to protect children from adult conflict and loyalty binds.  Come out and learn about what services and resources are available to Pictou County families going through the separation process.

Top 10 ways to protect your kids from conflict:

"When does my child's opinion count?"  This is an increasingly common question asked by separated parents.  The place of the child's voice in the separation and divorce process has been at the centre of academic debate for many years.  With a significant increase in social science research on how children are impacted by divorce, there is a growing recognition that the child's voice needs to be heard.  Judges and psychologists alike are increasingly identifying both the need to hear from children and the positive results that occur when time is taken to properly consider their needs and wishes.

"Really?? A divorce 'Fair'?!" Some jaws dropped, some giggled, and others were deers caught in the headlights.  People didn't quite know what to think about the concept of a Divorce 'Fair'.  But at least it grabs your attention!  It wasn't quite like the fairs I attended as a child.  The fair was organized by the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia in an effort to provide information to the public about all aspects of separation and divorce.  Many exhibitors attended, ranging from legal services to family counseling services to realtors to life coaches.  Attendees were able to visit different booths and ask questions to the various professionals about how they help families going through transition.  Knowing that men and women have different comfort levels in these situations, and perhaps to avoid an awkward situation of seeing an ex-partner, the organizers separated men and women into different days.