June 2026
What is mediation and how does it work?
A plain-language overview of the mediation process and what to expect from your first session.
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Insights on mediation
Articles and guides to help Alberta families navigate separation, divorce, and dispute resolution with clarity. Each post is written by Jana de Waal — an accredited family mediator and practising family lawyer — with the goal of demystifying a process that often feels intimidating from the outside. Whether you're just starting to explore your options or preparing for your first mediation session, these pieces are meant to give you a grounded, practical starting point.
May 2026
Tips for a successful mediation
Practical preparation steps that help families reach durable agreements faster.
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Mediation vs. litigation: choosing the right path
How to weigh cost, time, privacy and family wellbeing when deciding how to resolve a dispute.
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The Goldilocks Principle in Family Law Mediation
You probably remember the childhood tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Goldilocks didn’t like her porridge too hot or too cold—it had to be just right. This idea of…
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What Is a Pre-Mediation Call—and Why Does It Matter to You?
If you’ve been asked to participate in a pre-mediation call, you might be wondering: What is this about? Is it necessary? Will it make a difference?
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Choosing the Right Platform for Mediation: Virtual vs. In-Person
In today’s world, mediation no longer needs to happen around a table in a boardroom. With the rise of virtual platforms, family law mediators now have more flexibility…
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Comfort in Conflict: How Small Touches Create a Big Impact in Mediation
Family law mediation isn’t easy. It often brings two people face-to-face at one of the most difficult points in their lives. Emotions are raw, trust may be fractured,…
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Setting the Stage: Why Ground Rules Matter in Family Mediation
When two people walk into a family mediation, they often carry a world of tension with them—unfinished arguments, emotional scars, years of frustration. The atmosphere…
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Walking the Neutral Line: The Power of Impartiality in Family Mediation
In the emotionally charged world of family law, tensions run high and trust is often in short supply. That’s why one of the most powerful tools in a mediator’s toolbox…
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Beyond Positions: How Interest-Based Negotiation Creates Real Resolution
Family law mediation is rarely about simple logistics. More often, it’s about deep-rooted needs, fears, and emotions that exist below the surface of each party’s…
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Talk Less, Listen More: The Transformative Power of Active Listening in Mediation
In the emotionally intense world of family law mediation, people don’t just want to be right—they want to be heard. They want to feel seen, understood, and acknowledged,…
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We regularly hear the same questions from clients — about parenting plans, spousal support calculations, pension division, the difference between a Memorandum of Understanding and a formal Separation Agreement, and dozens more. If there's a subject you'd like to see explained in plain language on the blog, let us know through the contact page and we'll add it to the editorial queue.