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.
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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.
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Contact us today to find out how we can help you get the decision making arrangement that works for you.
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