The Hepburn + Glass
Mediation
Experience

When you want it settled, not escalated.

At Hepburn + Glass, we believe court should be a last resort. Mediation gives separating partners a faster, more private, and often more affordable way to reach agreement, without handing decisions to a judge. As neutral third-party mediators, we help guide respectful, productive conversations that lead to clear, lasting outcomes.

Whether you’re dealing with parenting schedules, financial matters, or the terms of separation, mediation lets you stay in charge and move on with far less conflict.

Mediators who know the courtroom - and how to avoid it.

Beth Hepburn and Danielle Glass are both accredited family law mediators through the Law Society of British Columbia. With nearly 30 years of combined legal experience, they’ve handled everything from high-conflict custody issues to complex asset division. Their work is grounded in deep legal knowledge, practical strategy, and a calm, human approach that helps people reach the finish line—without burning everything down along the way.

They work with individuals and couples from across South Surrey, White Rock, and the broader Lower Mainland.

How the mediation process works, step by step.

The first step is deciding if you and your former partner are willing to try mediation. Once that’s confirmed, we’ll send you an intake form to learn more about each family’s situation, goals, and what’s on the table, whether that’s parenting time, support, or financial disclosure.

From there:

• Each person meets privately with the mediator to provide background and clarify goals.

• Joint mediation sessions begin, typically with both parties present (though shuttle mediation is available if needed).

• Information is shared openly, including financial documents or parenting schedules, so that agreements are made on solid ground.

• The mediator facilitates, guides, and reframes where needed—but never takes sides.

Each session lasts between 1–3+ hours. Some matters are resolved in a single session; others take several over a number of weeks, depending on the complexity.

Do you need a lawyer in the room?

You’re not required to bring a lawyer to mediation. In fact, many people don’t. But we do strongly recommend that each party gets independent legal advice before signing any final agreement. As mediators, Beth and Danielle don’t give legal advice—they stay neutral—but they can give you clear information about how the law works in your situation.

Once an agreement is reached, it’s drafted in writing and reviewed by each party’s lawyer before signing. When signed, it becomes a binding and enforceable legal document, just like an agreement reached in court.

Built on trust, transparency, and full disclosure.

• Everything is disclosed. Financial documents, parenting details, and more, must be shared transparently.

• No secret talks. If one person contacts the mediator privately, any relevant information must be shared with the other party.

• No courtroom evidence. Mediation is confidential and privileged. If things don’t work out, what’s said in mediation stays there (except in rare cases involving child protection concerns).

• No sudden moves. During mediation, both parties agree not to make major changes (like cancelling insurance, moving kids, or selling assets) unless there’s written consent.

Mediation only works when everyone plays fair. Beth and Danielle are here to help keep it that way.

Less expensive than court, on every level.

Most of the time, the cost of mediation is shared equally—but you’re free to make your own arrangement. Either way, the cost of mediation is almost always a fraction of what litigation would be. And you get something court can rarely offer: control, clarity, and peace of mind.