Attending mediation is not mandatory for families who are separating in Ontario, but is strongly encouraged by both the federal and provincial legislatures and recommended by family court judges a means to resolve the issues arising from separation including parenting, support and the division of assets.

Under the law in Canada, married spouses are required to try mediation or another out of court family dispute resolution process such as negotiation or collaborative law before applying to court, unless it would be inappropriate to do so.