The Emotional Divorce
Many of our clients ask ‘how long will it take’ to resolve the legal issues arising from a separation. The answer is not straight forward. That’s because the legal issues are only one part of dealing with a separation. There are significant emotional issues that impact on the decisions that need to be made to address the legal issues.
The Family Law Group Participates in the Terry Fox Run and our Firm’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations
The Family Law Group participated in the Terry Fox Run and our firm’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
What’s my Name Again?
What happens when parents can’t decide on their child’s name? These days there are lots of married parents who do not change their last name after marriage and there are a growing number of people in common law relationships with children. Similarly, when people enter into surrogacy agreements, the birth mother may not be the biological mother or an intended parent. In these cases it’s hard to know what the child’s last name should be.
Close, but Not Quite: Frustrating Details of Shared Parenting and Support
Child support in shared parenting arrangements can become a complicated issue. It is a common misunderstanding that once separated parents share the parenting time on an approximately equal basis that no child support will be payable by either party. This is simply not the case. It is however, possible that your parenting schedule could change your monthly child support payment from the amount prescribed under the tables.
Special and Extraordinary Expenses – the Cost of Back to School Shopping
If you pay child support, or are the recipient of child support, you likely know that things like sporting equipment and some school fees are considered as special or extraordinary expenses. These are commonly referred to as section 7 expenses in accordance with the Ontario Child Support Guidelines, and are generally shared in proportion to each party’s income. If parents cannot agree on what these expenses are or how to share them, a court will inevitably decide for them.
Child Protection – A Hard Act to Balance
Recently, there have been some thought provoking parenting cases in the news. In some cases, it is obvious that children are in need of protection, but in other cases, you have to wonder whether the court is interjecting prematurely. Child protection workers and judges are faced with making these unenviable choices on a regular basis.
Top 4 Myths of Family Law Created by TV Shows
A brief overview of the top four myths of family law created by TV shows that we’ve observed in our practice including cheating, filing for separation, alimony, spousal support, evading service.
Law Cat Burning the Candle at Both Ends
Law cat has been burning the candle at both ends working on his latest motion.
Cohabitation Agreements Should Cost More than your Wedding Dress
Couples may spend thousands of dollars on a wedding dress, but hesitate to spend the same amount of money on a cohabitation agreement or marriage contract, which could last throughout the relationship and has real and meaningful value.
Who’s My Mommy?
It may not be easy to answer the question because the definition of mother under Canadian legislation has not kept pace with the scientific possibilities that now exist.There are a multitude of arrangements that can be made through surrogacy agreements, donor agreements, or other parenting agreements or declarations to address this issue. Will the validity of these agreements be supported by our courts?