“Coaching” is a fast growing field of practice in family dispute resolution.  Families may seek coaching together (i.e., neutral coaching) or separately (individual coaching).  Coaching is a process of facilitating informational, motivational, emotion and process options for families.  Coaching is expert-based, and many coaches also have interest-based training (such as mediation and/or collaborative practice … [Read more…]

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. … [Read more…]

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 … [Read more…]

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 … [Read more…]

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 … [Read more…]

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 … [Read more…]

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 … [Read more…]