Family mediation: what it is, how to access it
The essentials
- Family mediation brings both parents together with an accredited mediator (a neutral professional) to try to agree on custody, parenting time, support and the division of property.
- In Quebec, a certain number of family mediation sessions are subsidized by the government for parents with a child in common.
- In cases before the Tribunal unifié de la famille, mediation beforehand is generally required before proceeding, with exceptions (in particular where there is family, domestic or sexual violence).
In short, from this page. Every statement is sourced below.
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Many parents fight for years in court without knowing there are lighter paths. Family mediation is one of them. Here is the general picture.
What it is
Family mediation brings both parents together with an accredited mediator (a neutral professional) to try to agree on custody, parenting time, support and the division of property. The mediator does not decide anything and represents no one: they help the conversation along.
It is partly subsidized
In Quebec, a certain number of family mediation sessions are subsidized by the government for parents with a child in common. The exact number of hours and the conditions are set by the government and can change: check the current figure with official resources before relying on a number.
A useful reminder since June 30, 2025
In cases before the Tribunal unifié de la famille, mediation beforehand is generally required before proceeding, with exceptions (in particular where there is family, domestic or sexual violence). See the TUF guide.
In the app: a factual, up-to-date timeline is an excellent base for calm mediation: everyone starts from the same dated facts, not from the memory of the last argument.
Official sources (consulted July 18, 2026)
Every statement in this guide is backed by an official source. How we verify and correct.
- Ministère de la Justice du Québec, "La médiation familiale" (nature, accredited professionals, subsidized sessions)
- Cour du Québec, "Tribunal unifié de la famille" (mediation beforehand and exceptions)
Found an error in this guide? Report it: corrected within 72 hours, and the correction log is public.
Reminder: this is general information; it is not information for anyone in particular. For advice on your situation: legal aid (eligibility based on income), a community justice centre, Juripop, or the Barreau referral service.