"There has to be a better way to do family law " or "Why would a busy family law lawyer want to be a mediator anyway?"

We have all been witness to the ugly tragedy of family law litigation. As much as we can pretend otherwise, family court is the site of brutal accusations dressed up in imperial robes exposing evident failure to act in the children's or anyone else's best interests.

Conferences and more conferences, motions and trials rape the dignity of the participants both innocent and guilty. Then a judgement is imposed that usually satisfies no one. Huge costs, emotional and financial, are the only inevitability. The bottom line says that family law is the most emotionally painful arena for our clients. Litigation exacerbates the suffering.

What can we do as lawyers about it? We know that family law is simply too complicated to have separating spouses intuit a "fair" solution. Something else is needed.

A better solution?

Mediation.

Mediation offers a humane decent solution for family breakdown. Studies have consistently shown high client satisfaction for mediation. The clients's dignity is guarded. Solutions within a reasonable range are discussed and processed. Bargaining imbalances can redressed and accounted for. No solution is imposed.

I have conducted mediations in Renfrew County for both represented and unrepresented parties, and I can honestly say that although every session has been difficult and nearly every session has had intense emotional overtones, I have had 100% client satisfaction. (O.K. I am due for a cranky “unsatisfied” client .... ;)

This process is all about re-establishing trust and promoting dignity, looking for the parties's true interest and promoting a real practical and beneficial environment for the children.

For family’s sake, please consider contacting me for a family mediation.

Joseph P. Hamon B.A. LL.B. C.S. (Family Law) FMC Cert. CFM CFL

Joseph is a fully trained certified specialist, qualified family law mediator and collaborative family law lawyer. (Qualification is quite difficult. Over 200 hours in formal qualification for national mediation standards.) Contact him for further information or brochures that you can offer to your clients.

Sessions can be held in Combermere, Pembroke, Renfrew or Ottawa.