Call 1-705-896-2834

A Neutral Consultation: A Must for Separating Couples.



This article below is Jo-Anne Fiore’s straight-forward explanation of how to optimise the processes of Early Neutral Consultation for your family’s unique circumstances.  Jo-Anne Fiore is an experienced financial divorce specialist and mediator.   When two people make that decision to separate and go their own way, the immediate reaction is to run to a lawyer. […]

CHECKLIST FOR YOUR WISHES WHEN PREPARING A SEPARATION AGREEMENT OUT-OF-COURT



The notes below are intended as information (and not legal advice) to help couples get their ideas and wishes organised when they are wanting to be amicable and work out-of-court, with the help of their chosen cooperative family lawyers, to prepare a Separation Agreement.  These notes are adapted from the Law Society of Upper Canada […]

15 TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR FAMILY LAWYER’S LEGAL FEES DOWN



This blog comes from a combination of ideas from Joseph P. Hamon who is an experienced family lawyer/mediator at Hamon Law in Combermere, Ontario and ideas from many of the helpful resources on the Law Society of Upper Canada Website.  These tips are just as relevant to working with lawyers out-of-court or in-court. A divorce […]

Be Empowered to Understand How Neutral Experts can help you, and the processes of collaborative practice, mediation and arbitration



As a Chartered Business Valuator Joe Hilton of BDO is often asked to determine the value of a business due to a separation/divorce.  In addition, he may be asked to determine the business owner’s income for spousal and child support purposes.  This call often comes as the parties work their way through the normal court […]

Family Law Pathways “Separate+Together” Project



In my travels around the Province many families and professionals have asked me to share why we believe so passionately in helping separating couples to “separate together”. It is important that couples hear the information about their separation together.  All of the steps after hearing information to stay out of court involve doing things together also […]

Listen to What is Collaborative Practice



Collaborative Practice is a process that can help separating couples stay out of court, and work together in the best interests of their family and children. Victoria Smith, an independent legal professional at Chestnut Collaborative Solutions (Toronto), was recently interviewed on radio for the Australian Broadcasting Corp.  Victoria spoke about Collaborative Practice in a way that is […]

The Importance of Agreeing on a Date of Separation



Agreeing on a date to call the “date of separation” is important for a number of reasons. Sometimes it is quite clear when the separation occurs – there is a sudden event that ends the relationship.  For example, one spouse may leave the home, or one spouse may move to a different bedroom or part […]

A Revolution in the Culture of Family Law



This article is published in The Networking Effect newsletter.  With international experience helping clients in family law for over 12 years, Dr. Brett knows the right way to approach family law disputes. Through practice as the President and Senior Staff Lawyer at Family Law Pathways Centre, Dr. Brett is able to empower separating couples to […]

Standard Financial Statements Can Save Ontario Families Time and Resources (Standard Separation Agreements May Not)



When staying out of court, separating couples want and need to work together to prepare a separation agreement (as opposed to a court order imposed by a judge, if  the couple were fighting in court). There really are no reputable standard form separation agreement precedents.  If families look for standard separation agreements from reputable sites (such […]

Unlocking the Power of Information First to Save Time and Family Resources



Many separating families have told me over the past decade that the biggest problem with family law and separation is that they do not know where to start.  They felt confused and lacked confidence to understand how to become organised and how to process all the information they would need to know.  They wished there was a place […]