Common Misconceptions: What are the differences between Common Law Relationships and Marriage?
Married spouses and common law spouses have different rights in family law. In a common law relationship, one becomes a spouse after three years of living together continuously, or upon… Read more »
What are the steps my lawyer will take once I have hired him/ her?
#1 – Contacting your spouse or his/her lawyer The first step your family law lawyer will be taking in your matter will be to contact your spouse or your spouse’s lawyer… Read more »
Who Gets “Legal Custody” of the Family Pet After a Divorce?
Amidst the decisions that need to be made before and during a divorce, one potentially perplexing question is about who gets the family pet. It is common that both separating… Read more »
What happens when both parties want to stay in the family home?
Q. My husband and I have been married for 20 years. We have two children in high school and we both love the neighbourhood where we reside. We have decided… Read more »
Is there any Advantage to Filing for Divorce First?
In many divorce cases, it is clear to both parties what is coming. Sometimes, however, it blindsides a party and leaves the other side unprepared. If you sense that you… Read more »
How are child support payments decided during an Ontario Divorce?
Parents of a child in Ontario must provide financial support, regardless of whether or not they were married. There are a variety of ways that the level of support can… Read more »
Cross-Canada Checkup: Property Rights on Marriage Breakdown and Death
Canadians are increasingly mobile within Canada. Former spouses relocate to a new province after a marriage breakdown to be closer to family and other support networks or to begin new… Read more »
Benefits of Mediation vs. Litigation
Litigation Mediation Costs The costs of litigating a divorce case vary widely, but are enormously more expensive than couples expect. The costs of mediation are much more manageable and… Read more »
What is Arbitration?
Arbitration is an alternative dispute resolution process, where an individual or tribunal acts in a judicial capacity, by hearing evidence and rendering an Award. In a family law setting, there… Read more »
What is involved in a Common Law/Cohabitation Separation in Canada?
There is a common misconception that the only difference between common law and married spouses is a “legal piece of paper”. The reality is the treatment of common law spouses… Read more »
What Happens in Divorce Mediation?
Instead of litigating the issues arising from separation, separating spouses can choose to agree to mediation. Mediation is a voluntary, confidential and private process conducted by a neutral and trained… Read more »
Could a judge ever refuse my divorce?
There are only three reasons why a judge cannot grant a divorce alone (leaving support, property and other claims to separate orders that can be made later). Neither of those… Read more »