Yes. Family mediation may be free in Quebec for the number of hours covered by the Quebec government’s Family Mediation Program, which is administered by the Quebec Ministry of Justice.

Couples with minor children or dependent adult children may receive:

• 5 free hours of family mediation during an initial separation;
• 2 hours and 30 minutes of mediation when reviewing an existing agreement or judgment in eligible circumstances;
• a separate 2-hour-and-30-minute information session on parenting after separation.

Couples without common dependent children may receive up to three free hours with an accredited family mediator. 

For the hours covered by the government program, the mediator’s prescribed rate must be exactly $130 per hour. The covered fees are paid by the Quebec Ministry of Justice. 

However, free family mediation does not necessarily mean that the entire process will be free of charge.

Administrative fees, additional mediation hours and the costs and fees required to obtain a court judgment are not covered.

Additional fees may also apply when the file requires other services, such as preparing legal documents, having an agreement approved by the court, signing documents or paying court filing fees. 

Mediation ProSolution supports families online throughout Quebec by helping them understand the number of government-covered hours that may apply, the required steps and the additional services that may involve fees.

The objective is to help both parties develop a fair and practical agreement that reflects their family situation and the needs of everyone involved.

To find out which services may be covered in your situation and which additional fees may apply, contact Me Estelle Lizotte, an accredited family mediator and family lawyer.

CHECK YOUR AVAILABLE FREE MEDIATION HOURS

Family legal issues that may be discussed through mediation include:

• Child custody and Parenting Time
• Parenting schedules
• Child support
• Division of property
• Family expenses and debts
• Communication between parents
• Day-to-day parental responsibilities
• Important decisions concerning the children

Mediation can also address parenting concerns, finances, housing and the organization of family life following a separation.

It may be helpful for married couples, separated spouses, de facto spouses, civil union spouses, parents of minor children and individuals affected by Quebec’s parental union rules.

The objective is to reach a practical and satisfactory agreement that reflects the family’s circumstances, needs and history.

When the division of property or parenting arrangements creates tension, Me Estelle Lizotte, acting as an impartial mediator, can help clarify each person’s needs and guide the parties toward a satisfactory agreement without escalating the conflict.

The mediator can also assess whether additional safeguards or a different process may be required when family violence, a significant power imbalance or another contraindication is present or alleged. 

Mediation can prevent the terms of an informal verbal agreement from remaining unclear or difficult to apply. The process helps both parties define important information, responsibilities and the terms of their agreement.

Family mediation can be used to address parenting arrangements, support and property division, while the mediator remains impartial and helps the parties work toward their own solution. 

Mediation ProSolution supports couples, parents and families throughout Quebec in discussing child custody, the division of property and other important decisions in a neutral and confidential setting.

For guidance tailored to your situation, call Me Estelle Lizotte at 450-522-7952.

Yes. In many situations, family mediation remains possible even after court proceedings have begun.

Mediation can help reduce the number of disputed issues, clarify certain requests and prevent the case from moving forward solely through confrontation.

Every situation is different. An initial meeting can help determine whether mediation is appropriate based on the status of your case and the legal steps that have already been taken.

Mediation may be particularly helpful when the parties want to reopen communication and work toward a simpler solution, even while a court process is underway.

Depending on the circumstances, Me Estelle Lizotte can help you assess whether mediation is suitable for your situation, your family history and the issues that still need to be resolved.

Mediation may also be used when reviewing an existing judgment or when certain parenting, financial or family arrangements need to be changed following an earlier decision or agreement.

Quebec families may use mediation before court proceedings, after an application has been filed or when an existing judgment or agreement needs to be reviewed. 

Mediation ProSolution supports families who are already involved in court proceedings and helps them work toward a solution that is more respectful, clear and collaborative.

The goal is to resolve as many issues as possible before further court proceedings become necessary.

To discuss your situation with Me Estelle Lizotte, call 450-522-7952.

The cost of family mediation depends on the type of service requested, the nature of the file, the family’s eligibility for the government program and the steps that need to be completed.

Some family mediation hours may be covered by the Quebec Ministry of Justice. Couples without common dependent children may also qualify for up to three government-covered hours. 

For the hours covered by the government program, the mediator’s prescribed rate must be exactly $130 per hour and is paid by the Quebec Ministry of Justice.

Once the covered hours have been used, additional mediation hours and other services may involve separate fees. 

Before beginning the process, Mediation ProSolution takes the time to explain the possible fees, including:

• Mediation sessions
• File preparation
• Document drafting
• Additional legal steps
• Court-related expenses
• Administrative expenses, where applicable

Packages may also be available for certain services when the circumstances of the file allow for a fixed-price option.

Our objective is to make sure that you clearly understand the expected costs before beginning the process.

For an estimate based on your situation, contact Me Estelle Lizotte at 450-522-7952.

Yes. Family lawyers and mediators may assist at different and complementary stages of a separation.

A family mediator helps both participants communicate, identify the issues that need to be resolved and work toward their own agreement in a neutral and confidential setting.

A family lawyer may provide legal advice to an individual client, prepare legal documents, complete court proceedings or represent one party. Certain legal services may also be provided jointly when the parties have reached an agreement and the applicable professional rules allow it.

Me Estelle Lizotte is both a family lawyer and an accredited family mediator.

When acting as the mediator, she remains impartial and does not represent either participant. Her legal background allows her to provide both participants with clear and impartial information about the legal framework applicable to the matters discussed.

Once an agreement has been reached, Mediation ProSolution may establish a separate legal-services mandate when appropriate. This may include preparing eligible joint proceedings, certain court documents and the steps required to formalize the agreement and obtain a judgment.

This coordinated approach allows eligible files to be supported from mediation through the final legal steps.

If an existing agreement or judgment later needs to be changed, Mediation ProSolution may also review the file and help determine the appropriate modification process.

Government-covered mediation sessions do not automatically cover legal-document preparation, administrative expenses, court filing fees or the costs required to obtain a judgment.

To speak with Me Estelle Lizotte, call 450-522-7952.

A family lawyer and a family mediator perform different roles.

A family lawyer may provide individual legal advice, explain a client’s rights and obligations, prepare legal proceedings and represent one party.

A family mediator remains neutral and supports both participants. The mediator facilitates communication, identifies the issues that need to be resolved and helps the parties work toward their own agreement.

An accredited mediator who is also a lawyer may provide impartial information about the legal framework applicable to the issues discussed. However, the mediator cannot provide one-sided legal advice or represent one participant against the other while acting as the mediator.

Me Estelle Lizotte is both a family lawyer and an accredited family mediator. This allows Mediation ProSolution to offer a coordinated process while keeping the mediation mandate and any separate legal-services mandate clearly distinct.

To determine which service corresponds to your situation, call 450-522-7952.

Yes. A qualified professional may be both a family lawyer and an accredited family mediator.

However, not every family mediator in Quebec is a lawyer. Accredited family mediators may come from several recognized professional backgrounds.

Me Estelle Lizotte has been a lawyer and member of the Barreau du Québec since 2018 and is also an accredited family mediator.

When acting as a mediator, she remains neutral and impartial. She may provide both participants with information about the legal framework applicable to their discussions, but she cannot provide individual legal advice to one participant against the other.

Once mediation is completed, a separate legal-services mandate may be established when appropriate. Me Lizotte may then prepare eligible joint proceedings, certain legal documents and the steps required to formalize the agreement.

This dual qualification allows Mediation ProSolution to provide greater continuity from the beginning of mediation through the legal steps required to obtain a judgment.

To discuss the appropriate service for your situation, call 450-522-7952.

Not necessarily. Family mediation and legal services may be useful at different stages of the same separation or divorce process.

A family mediator may help both participants discuss parenting, support, property and other family matters and reach their own agreement.

Legal services may then be required to understand the legal consequences of the agreement, prepare eligible proceedings or complete the steps required to obtain a court judgment.

Me Estelle Lizotte is both a family lawyer and an accredited family mediator. Mediation ProSolution can therefore explain how these complementary services may be coordinated while keeping each professional role clearly separated.

When acting as the mediator, Me Lizotte remains neutral. If additional legal services are appropriate after mediation, their nature, scope and cost are explained through a separate mandate.

To better understand your options, contact Me Estelle Lizotte at 450-522-7952.

Depending on the circumstances, Mediation ProSolution can provide coordinated support from the opening of the mediation file through the steps required to formalize the agreement.

The process may include:

• opening and reviewing the file;
• conducting family mediation sessions;
• providing impartial legal information;
• preparing a mediation summary report;
• drafting a clear agreement;
• establishing a separate legal-services mandate when required;
• preparing eligible joint proceedings and supporting documents;
• coordinating signatures and court filing steps;
• helping complete the process required to obtain a judgment.

If an agreement or judgment later needs to be modified, Mediation ProSolution may also review the new circumstances and explain the available next steps.

The exact services, professional roles and fees required for each stage are explained clearly before the work begins.

To discuss your complete family law file with Me Estelle Lizotte, call 450-522-7952.