Family Dispute Resolution in Family Law

When you and your partner separate, you will have to deal with several legal issues. For example, you must decide about financial support, how to care for your children and how to divide the family property. You can go to court to make these decisions. You can also make informal arrangements or use family dispute resolution (FDR).

Do not use FDR to settle a dispute with someone who has been violent or abusive. Do not use it with someone who has tried to bully you, or someone who has more power than you.

What is FDR?

Family dispute resolution, (FDR), is a term that was introduced in the Divorce Act on March 1, 2021. FDR is an out-of-court process that can be used to settle a family law issue. People can negotiate, or work with a mediator or arbitrator. Negotiation, mediation, collaborative law, and arbitration are different types of FDR. Prior to the changes to the Divorce Act, if you had a family law issue you could voluntarily chose to settle it by using an alternative dispute resolution process such as negotiation, mediation, arbitration or collaborative family law however, the law now says that you must try to settle any family law issues through a family dispute resolution process, unless it would not be appropriate to do so. If you are involved in a family law case your lawyer is also required to encourage you to try to settle the issues through a family dispute resolution process unless it would not be appropriate to do so. In situations where there is family violence or a power imbalance between you and your child’s other parent, a family dispute resolution process is not always appropriate. You should tell your lawyer about any abuse or violence or if you are afraid of your child’s other parent.

When you could use FDR

In some family law cases, FDR can be better than going to court. Here is why:

you can have more control over what happens to your case
you can choose how to deal with your case
it can be faster and cheaper than a court case
it may be less upsetting than going to court

Other Benefits of using FDR

FDR may be better than going to court to solve your family law issues as:

you have a better understanding of your children’s needs
when you cooperate with your partner, you would be setting a good example for your children
you and your partner may learn to communicate better

If you can be open and honest with your partner, FDR may be a good way for the two of you to work out the issues you have when your relationship ends. If possible, you should have a lawyer assist you.

However, FDR is not good for all kinds of disputes.

FDR may not be appropriate if:

you cannot work cooperatively with your partner;
your partner has been abusive or violent;
your partner has tried to bully or scare you;
your partner can take advantage of you;
your partner has more power than you.

What are the different kinds of FDR?

There are four kinds of FDR that can be used to deal with family law disputes: negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and collaborative family law.

1. Negotiation

Negotiation can be very informal. You and your former partner talk to try to come to an agreement. You can speak to each other, or you can hire lawyers to talk on your behalf. Sometimes one person has a lawyer and the other person does not. Most lawyers will try to negotiate before they decide to take the case to court.

When you negotiate, you may come to a spoken agreement. Make sure the agreement is written down and signed by both of you. If the agreement is not in writing, it will be very hard to make sure that it is followed.

2. Mediation

A mediator helps people talk to each other and come to an agreement. A mediator knows how to deal with conflicts. Mediators are usually social workers, psychologists or lawyers.

The mediator must be fair. They cannot favour you or your partner in the dispute. They can suggest ways to solve the conflict, but you do not have to take their advice. They cannot offer legal advice.

You should talk to a lawyer before you take part in mediation. A lawyer can explain your rights and responsibilities to you but does not usually come with you to the mediation.

If you are not happy with the mediation, you can leave, and it will be over. If you cannot reach an agreement, the mediation will end. At that point, you could try a different kind of FDR, or go to court. If you come to an agreement at mediation, do not sign the agreement until you get a lawyer to read it.

Mediation is free. You can find a mediator at any family court in Ontario. You can also hire a private mediator, if you can afford it. If you are getting legal advice, you may have to also pay the lawyer.

3. Arbitration

In arbitration, you and your former partner hire a third person to resolve your conflict. This person is called an arbitrator. The arbitrator cannot grant a divorce or an annulment, but can decide on decision-making responsibility and parenting time (this used to be called custody and access) and how to divide property. Arbitrators can only decide on the issues you ask them to resolve. The arbitrator must use only Canadian or Ontario family law.

If you do not know your rights under Canadian laws, talk to a lawyer. Once arbitration starts, you cannot decide to walk away. You must accept the arbitrator’s decision. Arbitration can be expensive because you should have a lawyer. You may also have to pay the arbitrator. Even if you do not have a lawyer with you at the hearing, you must prove that you got legal advice before agreeing to arbitrate.

Remember, arbitration is not the same as mediation. If you are in mediation, you have choices. You can end the talks at any time or decide not to accept what your former partner is offering or what the mediator suggests. In arbitration, you have no choice. You must accept the arbitrator’s decision, as long as it follows the law.

4. Collaborative Family Law

Collaborative family law is a type of negotiation. You, your former partner and your lawyers work together to resolve the issues. This is a very different way for lawyers to work. In court, lawyers must fight for their client’s rights without considering what the other person needs.

Collaborative family law is usually faster and cheaper than going to court. It is also more relaxed than court. But it is not a good idea for every couple. It can only work if people respect each other and work together to solve their problems. Only people who can afford to hire a lawyer can use collaborative family law.

Sometimes, couples who use collaborative family law do not reach an agreement. If this happens, you must hire a new lawyer to represent you in court.

Collaborative family law can be expensive because you must have a lawyer. The cost will depend on how much you are paying your lawyer. Legal Aid will not pay a lawyer to help you. If the collaborative talks fail, you will have to hire a different lawyer to represent you in court.

Remember, if you cannot use a family dispute resolution process to settle your family law issues you have the option to go to court.