Determining future financial support and separating property can be challenging for parties, and wrought with uncertainty and high emotion. This course provides an overview of the federal and provincial legislation that governs the calculation of spousal support and the division of property when couples separate.
Who Should Take This Course?
Experienced mediators and advanced mediation students interested in working in the field of separation and divorce.
What Will I Learn and What Skills Will I Gain?
- Understand the legislation that guides and enforces decisions made regarding spousal support and division of matrimonial property for married, adult interdependent partnerships (common‐law), and same‐sex adult interdependent partnerships
- Understand the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines and how they are used by the courts
- Understand what is and is not considered matrimonial property, including assets, debts, pensions, investments, and related considerations
- Know the role of the mediator in assisting the parties to prepare for mediation on spousal support and division of property issues
- Know the role of external professionals and the importance of client education and advocacy
- Explore the ethical considerations at play when mediating spousal support and property division
- Understand different scenarios for separating partners with and without children
- Understand the complexities involved for separating partners when the law is “grey”
What Can I Expect in Class?
This course includes lectures, personal reflection, and group discussion. Emphasis is placed on practicing skills and role-playing in small groups.
This class is presented online and consists of 8 sessions over 4 weeks:
Week 1: two sessions (2 consecutive days)
Week 2: two sessions (2 consecutive days)
Class times:
Days 1 & 3: 8:30 am – 12:00 pm
Days 2 & 4: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Students should be prepared to dedicate 4-5 hours for post-course assignments. This course requires approximately 2 hours of course work before each session.
Attendance for all 4 sessions and completion of all assignments is mandatory to receive full credit hours (18 credit hours).
What Are the Pre-Requisites?
Learners must have successfully completed Communications in ADR and the National Introductory Mediation Training (or equivalent training) prior to registering in this course.
What Are the Costs & Other Details?
The fee for this course is $800 plus GST.
Full attendance for all days of training is mandatory.
Where Can I Go from Here?
This is one of three courses required to qualify for the Certificate in Separation and Divorce Mediation.
The certificate program consists of three courses:
- Separation & Divorce Mediation: Foundations, Parenting Plans, and Child Support
- Separation & Divorce Mediation: Spousal Support and Division of Property
- High Conflict Mediation: Managing Conflict & Complexity in Mediation
Full course attendance of all three courses is required to qualify for the Certificate.
