Dayana Romero
Qualified Mediator
- Registered Psychotherapist
- Qualified Mediator · ADRIO / ADRIC
- 17+ years across conflict resolution and mediation
- Sessions in English and Spanish
Hamilton · Ancaster · Virtual Across Ontario
Family Mediation in Toronto & Ontario
A calmer path through any family dispute: divorce, parenting, support, blended-family, or elder-care.
Whatever the family conflict, work with a Qualified Mediator who handles both the emotional and the legal sides on every file.
"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
Get your free 30-minute mediator consult.
Tell us a little about your situation. We'll reply within 24 hours to schedule the call.
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.
Moira Wallace
Qualified Mediator
- Corporate Lawyer
- Qualified Mediator · ADRIO / ADRIC
- Notary Public · Commissioner of Oaths
- 29+ years drafting and reviewing agreements
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.
Any family conflict (separation, custody, blended-family, elder, or sibling) that the lawyers can't actually resolve.
Two parents can't agree on parenting time and the kids are stuck in the middle.
Quoted a five-figure retainer by a family lawyer and looking for a calmer way through.
Step-family or blended-family tensions that the lawyers can't actually fix.
Aging-parent decisions splitting the siblings, and someone has to lead.
Just want this resolved properly so the family can keep functioning.
Worried someone in the family will refuse to come to the table. We can reach out neutrally on your behalf so the first move is not yours.
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.
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.
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 families 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. Most family mediation files 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's the difference between family mediation and divorce mediation?
Divorce mediation is one type of family mediation. Family mediation also covers parenting plans, support arrangements, blended-family disputes, sibling conflicts during a parent's estate, and elder care decisions. If your dispute involves family relationships, family mediation likely fits.
Can you mediate parenting issues without a separation?
Yes. Many of our family mediation files are couples (married or common-law) working through parenting disagreements without ending the relationship, or parents post-separation trying to update an existing parenting plan as kids grow.
How long until we have a signed agreement?
Most family mediation files complete in 6 to 10 weeks from intake to signed agreement, including Independent Legal Advice. High-conflict or multi-party 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.