We help people normalize and navigate conflict in all areas of their lives, in all types of relationships.
What if conflict didn’t always have to be scary or dangerous? Although it’s a normal part of life, when we’re faced with conflict we often feel anxious, insecure, or like we’ve failed.
But no matter how raw or delicate it might be, avoiding negotiations and difficult conversations is unavoidable—especially when our most important relationships change. In these tenuous moments, it can feel overwhelming or even impossible to have productive conversations or to find a reasonable way forward. This is where we come in.
We are here to guide you as you navigate, negotiate, or restructure your relationships. We help you move toward clear agreements that actually work. We provide you with legal guidance and coaching, while helping you build the self-confidence, skills, and framework to move forward successfully. We can’t promise it will be easy, but we’ll support you every step of the way.
Why Resolve?
How we’re different
Legal and Mediation Services
I am leaving an intimate relationship and need a separation agreement
We get it—this isn’t a reason anybody wants to be on our website. That’s why we’re determined to make this process as painless as possible, while keeping your goals and needs top of mind and providing support to navigate emotional and financial complications. From negotiating and drafting separation agreements, to amending existing agreements with review provisions, you’re in good hands.
I am in an intimate relationship(s) and need a contract
Many people come into a relationship with a life they've already built. This might include pre-existing wealth, real estate, a business and/ or children, and is probably difficult to talk about. That’s why we’re here. We know how to negotiate delicately. We don’t just serve you with a template, but instead provide a comfortable space to have conversations to assess everyone’s needs and expectations, collectively create a customized agreement and protect the relationship. Whether obtaining a marriage contract or a cohabitation agreement for common-law partners, we create a clear agreement that illustrates how assets and income will be treated should the relationship change.
I am navigating a non-intimate relationship and need clear terms and/or a contract
We have many relationships of importance, and sometimes those relationships need clear conversations and binding guidelines to get on the same page. This might include friends co-buying property, siblings navigating their parents’ financial or long-term care situation, and other complex circumstances. Resolutions may take the form of mediated conversations and legal contracts. Our goal is always to reach clear expectations agreeable to everyone, and a way forward.
A Better Way to Resolve Conflict
Resolve was founded as a mother-daughter team by Victoria Smith and Alexa Turner. Victoria is one of the early proponents of the collaborative practice, and an internationally recognized collaborative lawyer and trainer. Alexa grew up with Victoria modelling how to handle conflict in healthy ways. Starting her legal career in litigation, she struggled with the cost, delay and harm caused by the traditional, adversarial process. She soon pivoted to Collaborative Practice, and the two launched Resolve together in 2018. Today, the family practice has grown with the addition of Victoria's niece, Madison Howell in 2023. Like Alexa, Madison turned away from corporate litigation towards Collaborative Practice, after witnessing the heavy toll the adversarial process had on her clients.
Our Approach + Process
01
Initial Meeting
We always start with an initial, one-on-one meeting with Victoria, Alexa or Madison. This session is to learn about your unique circumstances and goals, provide information and answer your questions. We then design your conflict resolution process and create a plan to move forward that’s carefully tailored to you.
02
Strategy and Negotiation
We guide you through a customized collaborative process or mediation. Please visit Collaborative or Mediation to learn more about each approach.
03
Results
Our goal is to create a legally binding agreement—whether a separation agreement, marriage contract, cohabitation agreement, or co-ownership agreement—that meets your most important priorities and values.
Client Reviews
Workshops + Speaking
We’re here to support the evolution of settlement advocacy within the legal community, as well as improving people’s understanding of conflict within their everyday lives. We provide acclaimed workshops and training for conflict professionals internationally, and speak and write on conflict literacy across a wide range of platforms.