Divorce Mediation in Peterborough: Your Options, Costs and Next Steps
Free court mediation, subsidized mediation and private mediation with a CDFA: what each one does, what it costs, and how you get from an agreement to a divorce.
Last reviewed: October 19, 2026 by Ken S. Maynard, AP.fm, CDFA
If you’re separating in Peterborough, you have three ways to use mediation: free mediation at the courthouse on the day of a court hearing, subsidized mediation through the court-connected service, or private mediation with a mediator you choose. All three are forms of family law dispute resolution that can help you settle parenting, child support, spousal support and property division without a judge deciding for you. They differ in how much time you get, how deep the financial work goes, and what you pay.
I’m Ken Maynard, an accredited private family mediator (AP.fm) and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) with Divorce the Smartway. I work with Peterborough-area couples by video, and in person by appointment. Below I’ll walk you through each option honestly, what private mediation costs, and the steps from your first meeting to a finished divorce.
Peterborough Meeting Location: (705) 957-8016 · Toll free 1.888.752.5819
Court-day mediation
Free, at 470 Water St, for parties with a hearing that day
Subsidized mediation
Income-based fees through the court-connected service
Private mediation + CDFA
Full financial analysis and a complete separation agreement
Divorce
Usually after one year apart, effective 31 days after the order
Your three divorce mediation options in Peterborough
1. Free on-site mediation at the Peterborough courthouse
Peterborough’s family cases are heard at the Family Court Branch of the Superior Court of Justice at 470 Water Street. Ontario’s court-connected mediation provider here is the Kawartha Family Court Assessment Service, which runs Four Counties Family Mediation. According to ontario.ca, “Free mediation services are available to parties on the day of their court hearing.”
On-site mediation is best for one narrow issue you can settle that day, like a holiday schedule or a temporary support amount. It’s a quick, neutral process between the parties, not designed to build a full separation agreement covering the house, pensions and long-term support.
2. Subsidized off-site mediation
The same service offers longer mediation away from the courthouse. Fees follow a provincial sliding scale based on income and dependants, starting at $5 an hour for the lowest incomes. At higher incomes, the fee is “to be negotiated.” Ontario notes that this fee schedule “does not apply to private practice mediators.” Four Counties serves Peterborough, Haliburton, Northumberland and the City of Kawartha Lakes (familycourtmediation.ca).
If money is tight and your finances are simple, this is a good option, and I’ll tell you so on a call.
3. Private divorce mediation with a mediator and CDFA
Private mediation is the process most couples with children, a home, pensions, investments, a business or support questions take. You choose the mediator, set the pace, and get as much time as the issues need. With Divorce the Smartway, the financial analysis happens at the same table: we gather your financial disclosure, value what you own, run support calculations and test settlement options before anyone signs.
| Court-day (on-site) | Subsidized (off-site) | Private mediation + CDFA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Sliding scale from $5/hour | $2,140 to $7,060 per couple, plus HST (typical range) |
| Best for | One issue on a court day | Simpler finances, lower incomes | Home, pensions, support, full agreement |
| Financial analysis | Not the main focus | Not the main focus | CDFA analysis built in |
| Where | 470 Water St courthouse | Four Counties office | Video, or in person by appointment |
| Result | Settlement of that day’s issue | Memorandum or agreement terms | Complete separation agreement draft for ILA |
Free help at the Peterborough Family Law Information Centre
Before you choose, it’s worth knowing about the Family Law Information Centre (FLIC) inside the 470 Water Street courthouse. It offers free family law information about separation, divorce and the court process, and access to brief mediation. As Four Counties puts it, “There are no fees for any of the services provided at the family law information centre.” A virtual FLIC with a Legal Aid advice lawyer runs Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. Our Peterborough Family Law Information Centre guide explains more.
If either of you starts a court case asking a judge to decide parenting, support or property, you’ll usually have to attend a free Mandatory Information Program information session first. A case that only asks for a divorce is exempt. Mediation can keep you out of that court process entirely.
What private divorce mediation covers
- Parenting: a parenting plan setting out parenting time, decision-making responsibility, holidays and how you’ll communicate.
- Child support: table support based on the Federal Child Support Guidelines, plus special expenses.
- Spousal support: whether it’s owed, and a range under the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines.
- Property division: net family property, the equalization payment, pensions and RRSPs.
- The house: whether to buy out, sell or keep the house.
- The separation agreement: a written separation agreement that each of you takes to your own lawyer for independent legal advice.
Mediation is confidential, and I’m a neutral mediator: I don’t represent either of the parties. Family law gives you rights a mediator can explain but can’t advise on, which is why legal advice still matters. Your agreement becomes legally binding once it’s written, signed and witnessed. That’s why each of you gets independent legal advice before signing.
Want to see which option fits your family?
Book a free 15-minute Get Acquainted Call. We’ll look at your situation and tell you honestly whether free, subsidized or private mediation makes the most sense.
From mediation to divorce: the steps in Peterborough
- Get Acquainted Call. A free 15-minute call to talk about your situation and whether mediation suits you both.
- Screening and intake. Each of you meets with us separately first, so we can check that mediation is safe and fair for both of you.
- Financial disclosure. You both gather income, property and debt documents. We organize them and value what needs valuing.
- Mediation sessions. We work through parenting time, child support, spousal support and property, and test settlement options with real numbers. Many couples finish in about four meetings; others need more time.
- Separation agreement and ILA. We prepare the agreement. Each of you reviews it with your own family lawyer, then you sign in front of a witness.
- Divorce application. Once you’ve lived apart for at least a year, you can file a joint (Form 8A) or simple divorce application at the Peterborough family court.
- Divorce takes effect. According to Justice Canada, “In most cases, a divorce takes effect 31 days after the judge grants the divorce.”
The separation agreement is where almost everything gets decided. The divorce itself is mostly paperwork. Read how to file for divorce in Ontario for the filing details, and Ontario’s guide to filing for the forms.
What private divorce mediation costs
Our fees combine flat fees for defined work, like financial statements, parenting plan drafts and separation agreement drafting, with hourly mediation sessions that you usually share. Senior mediator time is $250 an hour, or $125 for each spouse when shared, and associate time is $160 to $190 an hour, all plus HST. Most couples’ total falls between $2,140 and $7,060 for the couple, plus HST. We also work on a sliding scale, so some families pay less.
For comparison, a contested court case usually costs each spouse far more, and takes longer. For a fuller picture, read how much mediation costs in Ontario.
A Peterborough divorce mediation case study
After ten years of marriage and two children, a Peterborough couple chose mediation. The hardest issue was money: each saw their contributions to the family differently. In mediation we turned positions into interests and tested every proposal against the numbers from their financial disclosure. The “who contributed what” argument gave way to a division both could check for themselves.
They finished with a parenting plan built around their children, a fair property division, and a working co-parenting relationship. Each got independent legal advice before signing. Details are anonymized to protect their privacy. See more case studies.
Serving Peterborough City and County
We work with families in the City of Peterborough and the Townships of Selwyn (Lakefield, Bridgenorth, Ennismore), Cavan Monaghan (Millbrook), Otonabee-South Monaghan (Keene) and Douro-Dummer. Most sessions happen by video, so you don’t need to drive into town; learn more about online divorce mediation. For a broader look at our services, including parenting plans and support, see family mediation in Peterborough. If you’re also looking for legal advice, read our guide to choosing a family lawyer in Peterborough.
Why couples choose Divorce the Smartway
- Mediator and CDFA in one: as an AP.fm mediator, I hold a credential in divorce financial planning as well as family mediation (APFMC).
- Financial clarity first: you see what each settlement option means for both households now and years from now, using the stress-test approach from my book Think Beyond the Settlement.
- Since 2010: we’ve helped Ontario families settle without court for over 15 years.
- Fair, neutral process: we screen every couple, keep sessions confidential, and send the agreement to each spouse’s own lawyer for ILA.
- Already have an agreement? Our separation agreement review checks it before you sign.
Ready to start? Read how to start mediation or call our Peterborough line at (705) 957-8016.
Talk to a Peterborough divorce mediator
Book a free 15-minute Get Acquainted Call. No pressure, and nothing to sign.
Divorce mediation in Peterborough: FAQ
Is there free divorce mediation in Peterborough?
Yes, on the day of a court hearing
Four Counties Family Mediation offers free on-site mediation at the 470 Water Street courthouse for parties with a hearing that day. Longer off-site mediation is subsidized on an income-based sliding scale.
How much does private divorce mediation cost in Peterborough?
Typically $2,140 to $7,060 per couple, plus HST
Senior mediator time is $250 an hour ($125 per spouse when shared) and associate time is $160 to $190 an hour, plus flat fees for defined work. We also offer a sliding scale.
Is a mediated agreement legally binding in Ontario?
Yes, once it’s in writing, signed and witnessed
The mediator drafts the terms, each of you gets independent legal advice, and then you sign the separation agreement in front of a witness.
Do we have to go to the Peterborough courthouse to get divorced?
Usually not in person
A joint or simple divorce application is filed with the Peterborough family court, and most uncontested divorces are decided on the paperwork without a hearing.
How long does divorce mediation take?
Often a few weeks to a few months
Many couples finish in about four meetings; others need more time, especially with pensions, a business or a house to value. You’ll usually need to be separated a year before the divorce itself.
Can we do divorce mediation online from Peterborough County?
Yes
Most of our Peterborough-area couples meet by video, so families in Lakefield, Millbrook, Keene or Douro-Dummer don’t need to drive into town.
What’s the difference between Four Counties and a private mediator?
Cost and depth
Four Counties is the court-connected service, free on court day and subsidized off-site. A private mediator and CDFA offers more time and full financial analysis for families with a home, pensions or support questions.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Ken Maynard is a mediator and CDFA, not a lawyer. Court and mediation service details were checked with ontario.ca and Four Counties in October 2026. Fees are plus HST and may change.
