If you’re planning a wedding, legal issues probably aren’t at the top of your list, but understanding how a marriage contract works in Ontario can help couples start their marriage…
Pensions and retirement savings are a big part of a financial settlement in a divorce or separation, especially later in life when decades of savings are involved. For many people…
Separation often comes with a carefully structured parenting plan that sets out when children spend time with each parent, but when a teenager refuses parenting time, it can lead to…
For separated or divorced parents with school-aged children, March Break can sneak up fast and when it does, it often brings confusion, stress, or last-minute disagreements about who has the…
Separation when you have a child with a disability brings a layer of complexity that many families are not prepared for. Beyond the emotional impact of ending a relationship, parents…
Valentine’s Day when you’re newly single or separated can feel unavoidable. Once Christmas is over, hearts and Cupids take over store shelves and websites, romantic stories show up all over…
Separation and divorce in the digital world looks very different than it did even a decade ago, and in Canada, technology now plays a role in how relationships break down,…
Going through a separation or divorce is hard, especially when children are involved and decision-making responsibility and parenting time are an issue. Along with sorting out child support, this is…
Co-parenting with a difficult ex can feel exhausting. You might feel criticized, blamed, or pulled into constant disagreements, even long after the relationship has ended. When communication always turns into…
Guardianship in Ontario often comes up during difficult or unexpected moments in life. It may be needed after the sudden death of a parent, when a serious illness or accident…
For many parents, telling your children you’re separating is one of the most difficult parts of the separation or divorce process. Children depend on their parents for stability, and learning…
Knowing about stepparent rights in divorce helps everyone involved make informed decisions about parenting time, decision-making, and support. Families come in all forms, and blended families are now extremely common…
For many couples in Ontario, the emotional and practical work of separation happens long before the legal uncontested divorce. Once the year living apart has been completed, the details have…
The end of a relationship is never easy and the emotional and practical challenges of a common law separation can be challenging. Many people are surprised to learn that a…
Creating a holiday parenting time schedule can make the season less stressful and more joyful for co-parents and children alike. The holidays should be a time filled with family traditions,…
When a couple separates or divorces, one of the biggest and most emotional questions is, “What happens to our family or matrimonial home?”. In Ontario, the family home — legally…
More and more Canadians are finding love the second time around, however there are some legal considerations for a second marriage that you need to think about. By 2019, roughly…
Splitting assets when your marriage ends is one of the most stressful and difficult parts of divorce. If you’re facing separation in Ontario, you’re probably wondering what happens to everything…
For many couples, an interracial divorce, where faith and culture are intertwined, brings unique emotional and practical challenges including balancing traditions, family expectations, and children’s identities. Working with a family…
There’s no easy way to talk about separation with your spouse, but there are right and wrong ways to do it. Choosing the right setting, speaking honestly, and getting advice…
Collaborative divorce in Ontario is becoming a popular option for couples who want to separate or divorce without going through a stressful court battle. Instead of fighting it out in…
When a marriage ends, one of the most difficult parts of separation is figuring out property division in Ontario. This is not as simple as splitting everything down the middle.…
In Canada, more and more couples over the age of 50 are choosing to separate, a trend often referred to as “grey divorce.” Unlike divorces earlier in life, these breakups…
The “nesting” plan is a unique approach to co-parenting that some families in Canada consider. When parents separate or divorce, one of the biggest questions is how to make the…
When your ex stops paying child support, it can put a real strain on your finances and create extra stress on top of everything else you’re already managing. On the…
If you’re thinking of leaving an abusive relationship, the first step is making sure you and your children are safe. What matters most right now is your security and creating…
Spousal support in Ontario, referred to as “alimony” in the United States, is a common concern when couples separate or divorce. It’s the financial support one spouse may have to…
Stepchild adoption in Ontario can be a meaningful way to strengthen the bond in a blended family. When you marry or commit to a partner who has children, you may…
If you’re in a common-law relationship in Ontario — or planning to move in together — it’s a good idea to enter into a cohabitation agreement. It might not sound…
The start of a new school year is exciting for children, but it can be tricky for couples who are trying to master back-to-school co-parenting. For separated or divorced parents,…
When it comes to grandparents and visitation rights, separation or divorce can bring unexpected challenges. It’s not just the parents and children who are affected. Grandparents, who may have been…
Moving after separation can bring a fresh start, but it also comes with legal responsibilities, especially if children are involved. Whether you’re relocating for a new job, a new relationship,…
In Ontario, couples going through separation or divorce don’t have to go to court to settle their disputes, they can settle their issues using mediation and/or arbitration. When a relationship…
Co-parenting after a separation or divorce isn’t always smooth sailing—especially when the two of you don’t see eye to eye—which is where a parenting coordinator comes in. Co-parenting involves making…
Every long-term relationship faces ups and downs, but some struggles go far beyond the occasional disagreement, and there could be signs it’s time for a separation or divorce. If the…
When never-married couples with kids decide to separate, it’s often the children who are at the centre of the most important—and sometimes the most difficult—decisions. That’s especially true for parents…
When it comes to same sex divorce in Ontario, the journey can hold distinct challenges despite the equal legal footing established with the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2005. While…
Creating a parenting plan helps bring structure and stability to a time of change, especially when it is confusing and emotional for children. It gives both parents a clear understanding…
Divorce mistakes can be costly — both emotionally and financially. From legal fees to the expense of setting up a second household, the decisions you make during a separation can…
Celebrating Father’s Day after divorce can be tricky especially if it’s the first one since the separation. For many dads, it’s an emotional day, and it may feel strange or…
When a couple separates or divorces, emotions can run high—especially when children are involved—but sometimes one of the parents takes it to the point of parental alienation. While it’s completely…
Going through a separation or divorce is hard enough, but when your ex moves out of the province—or even out of the country—it can leave you wondering how spousal support…
When families separate, emotions run high and questions about a child choosing a parent to live with naturally come up. Parents may wonder if a child’s wishes will decide where…
When a divorce involves substance abuse, it can make an already difficult process even more overwhelming. Whether you’re dealing with emotional fallout, legal roadblocks, or financial instability, divorcing an addict…
Making a schooling choice after divorce or separation can be challenging—especially if your ex does not agree. Whether you are thinking about switching your child to a Catholic, private, or…
Mother’s Day can bring up a lot of emotions, especially for ex-partners who are co-parenting. While your relationship with your ex may have changed, the role of a parent lasts…
Coordinating a schedule for the Easter holidays after a separation or divorce can be challenging, but with planning and communication, you can create a positive experience for your child(ren). Ontario…
You’re madly in love, engaged, and ready to start your future together – then your partner asks about a marriage contract. Does this mean they don’t trust you? Not at…
There are many reasons why people choose alternative methods of resolving disputes instead of choosing a litigious approach (meaning, going to Court). Among them: Cost I’m not just referring to…
The holiday season is upon us. Everywhere you look, family and friends are sharing holiday cheer. If you are going through the process of separating or divorcing from your spouse…
The nature of my practice means that I spend a lot of time delivering tough news to my clients. Sometimes, it’s something as simple as telling my client that they…
When parents separate, often one of their biggest concerns is: What will happen to our children? There are so many questions – Which parent will my children live with? Will…
I have my children in my care about equal time. How does this affect my child support? In order to have a shared parenting arrangement, the child or children must…
I often get questions from parents who want to understand their child support obligations after their children turn eighteen. Many believe that child support ends when the child is eighteen…
Separation and/or divorce are obviously difficult times for two people. Separating and/or divorcing with children in the mix is a whole other issue. Navigating the co-parenting waters will be tricky,…
What happens if you become unable to pay the child support payments you were ordered to pay or that you agreed to pay based on a written agreement? Unfortunately, people…
A friend recently told me that she and her spouse of twelve years had decided to separate. She was worried about the impact that the separation would have on their…
Question: I don’t want to get divorced. Can I get an annulment instead? Answer: Annulments are different from divorces. A divorce is the legal end to a marriage, granted by…
When you think of “divorce”, what comes to mind? I conducted an unscientific and informal poll which asked that very question. I noticed many responses were along the lines of…
A few years ago, I wrote an article about “How To Save Money On Your Divorce”. While I still stand by what I wrote in that article, I have also…
Check out the PDF of this article by, Carolyn J. Chambers, for the Summer-Fall 2018 DFA Journal here:
