Go to content
Move forward with confidence. Contact Watson Goepel LLP today. Call 604.688.1301.
Adult and children's hands

Family Mediation & Arbitration

We help you navigate mediation and arbitration in British Columbia, ensuring your interests are protected while finding solutions that work for your family.

Resolving family disputes with clarity and collaboration.

Family disputes can be stressful, emotional, and costly. In British Columbia, mediation and arbitration provide effective alternatives to court proceedings, helping families resolve issues in a collaborative and controlled environment. These processes are designed to encourage communication, reduce conflict, and reach fair agreements while maintaining privacy and flexibility.

  • Family Mediation: Mediation involves a neutral, trained professional who helps both parties discuss and negotiate issues such as parenting arrangements, child and spousal support, and property division. The mediator does not make decisions for you but facilitates dialogue to help you reach mutually acceptable solutions.
  • Family Arbitration: Arbitration is a more formal process where a neutral arbitrator hears evidence from both parties and makes binding decisions on contested family law matters. This option can provide certainty and finality without going through the traditional court system.

How we can help:

  • Explaining whether mediation or arbitration is right for your situation
  • Preparing you for sessions and advising on strategy
  • Representing your interests during mediation or arbitration proceedings
  • Drafting binding agreements that reflect the outcomes reached
  • Ensuring compliance with British Columbia family law and enforceability standards

Mediation and arbitration can save time, reduce legal costs, and preserve relationships while still protecting your rights. We guide clients through these processes with professionalism, clarity, and strategic insight to achieve practical and fair resolutions.

Recent News

View All
  • Family Law

Jurisdiction and Property in Cross-Border Family Disputes: Lessons from Florescu v. Lodato, 2025 BCSC 1950

Danica Beck

Jurisdiction plays a critical role in cross-border family disputes, particularly when property division spans multiple countries. In this case,the Supreme Court of British Columbia demonstrates how and when it may decline jurisdiction in favour of a more appropriate forum. This case highlights the importance of early jurisdictional strategy to avoid parallel proceedings, reduce costs, and ensure disputes are resolved where they are most closely connected.

Read More
  • Family Law

CTV Interview: Grey Divorce in Canada: Why More Couples Are Separating Later in Life

Grey divorce—separation later in life—is a growing trend that brings unique legal and financial challenges. In this CTV Your Morning interview, Laurence Klass and Shashika Stanislaus provide expert legal advice on navigating divorce after 50, including how to protect retirement savings, divide assets, and avoid costly mistakes. Whether you’re planning ahead or currently facing a late-life separation, understanding your legal rights and financial options is essential for long-term stability.

Read More
  • Family Law

Factors Indicating a Marriage-Like Relationship in British Columbia: “Are we considered spouses?”

Tiara Cunningham,Keita Szemok-Uto

It’s one of the most common questions in British Columbia family law.
In BC, a relationship does not need a wedding, registry, or even the label “common law” to attract legal rights and obligations. When a couple separates, courts may find that they were in a marriage-like relationship, triggering potential claims for property division, spousal support, and other rights under the Family Law Act.

Read More

We can help with family mediation & arbitration.

Connect with us for a consultation.