Family and divorce mediator

Separating couples who want a calmer, cheaper route than court. Some are referred by family lawyers, counsellors and financial planners.

Hourly or per-session fees, often split between both spouses, or a fixed package for a full mediation. Repeat work comes from referrals.

• Staying calm and neutral under tension
• Listening and clear communication
• Organising and writing up agreements
• Basic understanding of family law in your province

• Rules on who can call themselves a family mediator or be on court rosters differ by province, so check with your provincial regulator or mediation association
• Professional liability insurance as well as general liability, check what your insurer covers
• Do not give legal advice unless you are a lawyer, and tell clients to get independent legal advice
• Screening for family violence and power imbalance is essential, and mediation is not suitable for every couple
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence if you work from home
• Quebec has its own rules for family mediation, so check them if you are based there

Estimates typically put startup costs at around $3,000 to $9,000, depending on training, insurance, a website and whether you rent meeting space. Working by video from home can keep costs toward the lower end.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $1,200 to $6,000, depending on how many clients you take and your referral sources, such as family lawyers and counsellors. The estimate assumes at least about 10 hours a week.

Rules on who can call themselves a family mediator or join court rosters differ by province, so check with your provincial regulator or mediation association. Also check professional liability insurance, and do not give legal advice unless you are a lawyer. Quebec has its own rules.