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 who may not have gone through formal processes like marriage or divorce but still need to figure out decision-making, parenting time, and support. Although many…
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 of how they will raise their children apart, and it provides kids with a sense of security about what life will look like going forward.…
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 even painful not having the kids around like before. Children might feel the same way, missing those little traditions like breakfast in bed, car washes,…
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 normal for both parents to feel frustrated or overwhelmed during this time, what’s not okay is when one parent begins to actively harm the child’s…
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 they live, or even share those hopes with their children. Because this topic is often misunderstood, it is very important to get guidance from a…
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 arts-based program — or even deciding on a high school or post-secondary school — disagreements can quickly arise if the other parent has different ideas.…
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 a lifetime. This special day is a great opportunity to show your children the value of appreciation and respect—and that includes honouring their mother. When…
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 family law prioritizes the child’s best interests, encouraging parents to work together to ensure meaningful time with both parents—especially during holidays. To help guide you…
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 or significant other, things may not seem so merry and bright. From my experience, late November / early December is a time when people meet…
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 should not spend more money arguing about who gets a household item than it is worth (really – they were arguing about mixing bowls). Sometimes,…
