Step Mediation Hamilton  ·  Ancaster  ·  Virtual Across Ontario

Divorce Mediation in Toronto & Ontario

A private alternative to contested court. Typically a handful of sessions, drafted into a Separation Agreement.

Resolve property, parenting, and support issues with a Qualified Mediator. Free 30-minute consultation, virtual across Ontario or in-person in Hamilton and Ancaster.

"Conflict is exhausting. The process forward shouldn't be."
Qualified Mediator (ADRIO / ADRIC) Two Ontario offices · Hamilton and Ancaster Free 30-minute consultation
Free Consultation

Speak with a mediator privately.

Tell us a little about your situation. We'll reply within 24 hours to schedule a free 30-minute call.

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Mediation is not legal advice. Independent Legal Advice is recommended before signing any agreement. You can opt out of contact at any time.

Typical timeline
Court: 12 to 24+ monthsMediation: 6 to 10 weeks
Typical cost
Court: two firms billing hourlyMediation: flat fee, quoted after consult
Who decides
Court: the judgeMediation: you do
Serving Toronto, the GTA, and Ontario-wide by secure virtual session. In-person at Hamilton and Ancaster.
Our Team

A mediation team that brings both legal insight and an understanding of human dynamics to every case.

While most practices offer one or the other, we ensure each conversation is handled with care and every agreement is shaped with a clear understanding of its intended outcome.

Dayana Romero

Dayana Romero

Qualified Mediator

  • Registered Psychotherapist
  • Qualified Mediator · ADRIO / ADRIC
  • 17+ years across conflict resolution and mediation
  • Sessions in English and Spanish
Moira Wallace

Moira Wallace

Qualified Mediator

  • Corporate Lawyer
  • Qualified Mediator · ADRIO / ADRIC
  • Notary Public · Commissioner of Oaths
  • 29+ years drafting and reviewing agreements
Robin Dhaliwal

Robin Dhaliwal

Qualified Mediator

  • Registered Psychotherapist
  • Qualified Mediator · ADRIO / ADRIC
  • English, Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu
  • Trained in high-conflict de-escalation
Sound Familiar?

You came here for a reason.

Most people who reach out are quietly carrying one or more of these.

Quoted a five-figure retainer by a divorce lawyer and looking for a calmer way through.

Trying to protect your kids from a courtroom and a multi-year fight.

Conversations with your partner end in fights, even when you both want this to be over.

Property, pensions, RRSPs, and the house on the table with no clear way to divide them.

You haven't told family or friends yet, and you want this handled privately before you do.

Just want this resolved properly so you and your family can rebuild.

Worried your partner may not be open to mediation, and you don't want to be the one to suggest it. We understand how difficult that first step can feel. We can support both of you in exploring respectful ways to introduce the process, so the conversation feels more neutral and less daunting.

If any of those landed, talk to a mediator before you sign anything.

The first call is free, private, and 30 minutes. No commitment. We will tell you honestly whether mediation fits your situation.

How It Works

A clear path from first call to signed agreement.

01

Free 30-minute consultation

Private and virtual. We listen, you ask questions, and we tell you honestly whether mediation is the right path for your situation. No obligation.

02

Confidential intake with each party

We meet separately with each partner so we understand the full picture before anyone sits at the same table. This is where most cases save weeks.

03

Joint mediation, written agreement

Typically two to three sessions. Each side has space to be heard. The final agreement is drafted and reviewed with one of our Qualified Mediators.

Step Mediation reception area at 67 West 31st Street, Hamilton, Ontario
A Real Ontario Practice

You are not booking a faceless online service.

We are a working mediation practice with offices in Hamilton and Ancaster. Most consultations happen virtually for convenience, but you can sit down with us in person any time during the file. The reception above is where most files begin.

  • Two physical Ontario offices, not a virtual address.
  • Regulated by ADRIO and ADRIC. Real Ontario credentials.
  • Every agreement reviewed by a Qualified Mediator before signing.
Book Free Consultation
Mediation vs Litigation

Why many Ontario couples consider mediation first.

Ontario family courts face significant delays. Mediation is one of the faster, more private alternatives available. Here is how the two approaches typically compare.

Court (typical) Step Mediation (typical)
Timeline 12 to 24+ months 6 to 10 weeks
Cost Hourly billing through two firms One flat fee,* quoted clearly after your free consultation.
Privacy Public record Fully confidential
Who decides The judge You and your former partner
Kids Adversarial process Parenting plan co-designed by both parents

Outcomes and timelines vary by case. Mediation is not legal advice. Independent Legal Advice (ILA) is recommended before signing any agreement. Mediation sessions are confidential except for statutory exceptions, including child safety and threats of harm.

More Ontario couples are choosing mediation first. Yours can too.

Get a free 30-minute consultation. Walk away with a clear, honest read on whether mediation fits your situation, with no obligation.

Honest Note

When mediation is not the right next step.

We do not take every file. Mediation is not appropriate when there is active abuse, untreated addiction, an active restraining order, or when either party is not safe in the same conversation. If any of that fits your situation, tell us on the first call. We will say so directly and point you to the right resource. Honesty on our end before money changes hands.

Common Questions

You probably want to know.

Is what we agree on legally binding?

The mediation produces a Separation Agreement drafted by one of our Qualified Mediators. Each party reviews it with their own Independent Legal Advice (ILA) before signing. Once signed with ILA, it is enforceable in Ontario as a binding domestic contract.

What if my spouse won't agree to mediate?

This is one of the most common questions and one we handle for you. One of our Qualified Mediators can reach out to your partner directly with a private, neutral invitation with their permission. Many partners agree once they hear from a neutral mediator rather than from the other spouse. We cannot predict how your partner will respond, but the neutral approach changes the dynamic for many people. The first call is also free for both of you.

How private is mediation?

Mediation in Ontario is confidential. Sessions, notes, and discussions are not part of the public record and cannot be used as evidence in court. The only statutory exceptions are situations involving child safety, elder abuse, or imminent threats of harm. We explain this in plain language at your first call.

Do I still need my own lawyer?

It is highly recommended that each party have their own Independent Legal Advice (ILA) from their own lawyer before signing. That is a separate step from mediation. Our Qualified Mediators draft and review the agreement internally for completeness and consistency, which reduces the back-and-forth at the ILA stage.

What does it cost?

The first 30-minute consultation is free. After that, mediation is quoted on a flat fee rate. Files typically run two to three sessions, though outcomes and timelines vary. Mediation fees are separate from Independent Legal Advice, which each party arranges through their own lawyer.

What if there has been infidelity, addiction, or significant conflict?

Yes, we work with these files often. High emotion does not disqualify you from mediation. Our intake meets each party separately first, so feelings can be heard before anyone has to sit at the same table. Where there is active abuse, untreated addiction, or imminent risk of harm, mediation may not be appropriate and we will tell you that honestly on the first call.

What if there is a restraining order or no-contact agreement in place?

We do not run joint sessions where there is an active restraining order or formal no-contact order, because doing so could put either party at legal or physical risk. We can still meet with one party privately to explore options, refer you to the appropriate legal resource, and in some cases arrange separate-room or shuttle mediation if it is safe and lawful to do so. Tell us about any active orders on the first call so we can give you an honest read.

What if my partner and I are at different stages — one of us isn't ready?

This is one of the most common situations we see. One partner often arrives further down the road emotionally than the other. We work with that. The first call is yours alone, no commitment on the other side. If your partner is not yet ready to mediate, we can either send a neutral invitation on your behalf with their permission, or wait. There is no pressure to rush the process before it can hold.

How long until we have a signed agreement?

Divorce mediation files typically complete in 6 to 10 weeks from intake to signed Separation Agreement, including Independent Legal Advice. High-asset or high-conflict files take longer. Contested court files often run 12 to 24 months or more, so mediation is generally much faster, though every file is different.

Book your free 30-minute consultation.

On the phone or virtual. We'll listen, ask a few questions, and tell you honestly whether mediation is the right next step. No obligation.