An Uber driver once told me he’d been advised to “just talk it out” with his ex, years later, he still hasn’t seen his child. Verbal agreements in family law carry real risk; written, mediated agreements don’t. If you’re navigating separation, your relationship with your child deserves more than a handshake.
The first working Monday of January brings a predictable surge in separation inquiries, and there are real, human reasons why. From the financial stress of the holidays to the psychological pull of a new year, this post explores what’s behind the trend, and what a Collaborative approach offers families ready to move forward.
Mediation is one of Saskatchewan’s required pathways before going to court, but showing up isn’t the same as participating. Dyson Panko explains what genuine participation looks like, how it differs from simply being in the room, and what the firm’s Introduction to Mediation Bundle is designed to accomplish.
Court is often costly, slow, adversarial, and unnecessary for most family law matters. Mediation offers a faster, more affordable, and far less emotionally taxing path to resolution, with outcomes both parties are far more likely to honour.
The couples who get the most from mediation come in prepared, open-minded, and willing to genuinely compromise. From understanding needs versus wants to staying open to solutions you hadn’t considered, these practical tips can make the difference between a productive process and a stalled one.
Before a divorce is granted, most of the real work happens in a separation agreement. This includes property division, support, and parenting and is worked out between two people who are no longer a couple. When negotiations stall, mediation can move things forward without the cost, delay, and hard feelings of going to court.
When parents cut off grandparent contact, the grief can be real and lasting. Saskatchewan courts do consider grandparent relationships — but what the courts will actually do, and why mediation often gets families further than litigation, depends on the specific circumstances.
