Settlement agreements are strongly encouraged in Canada and will be given great weight by the court. These are agreements where divorcing couples determine their rights and responsibilities flowing from their marriage, including alimony and child support, custody, parenting time, debts, and distribution of property subject to division. By negotiating a settlement, the parties can make their own legally enforceable commitments while avoiding the risks of as well as the delays associated with litigation, or having a court impose obligations upon them. Such agreements can be reached through meetings between the parties’ attorneys, through mediation, or court-sponsored early settlement programs. When the parties enter into a settlement agreement, that agreement is made a part of the Final Judgement of Divorce and has the same effect as a judgment entered by the court as long as the settlement agreements is not unconscionable.