Category Archives: Children, Custody and Access

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5 Myths You Were Told By Family and Friends About Child Support

By Shannon More on
 1) If my child(ren) live 50/50 with each parent, there is no obligation to pay support This may be true but is likely not. If child(ren) spend more than 40% of their time at each parent’s home, this is referred to as shared parenting. In these circumstances child support can be different than the child … Continue Reading

It’s back to school time!

By Karman Lock on
This can be an exciting time for some kids and maybe a bit upsetting for others.  For parents that are separated, it can be an especially stressful time.  Questions come up about how much time the children should be spending with each parent or how the school holidays and PA days are going to be … Continue Reading

CLEO’s Steps to a Family Law Case

By Brian Galbraith on
Here is a new tool for family law clients. It is an interesting flow chart that explains the various processes for resolution of family law issues. Unfortunately, it gives very little space to Collaborative Practice  and ignores the interdisciplinary nature of the process but it details the court process well. I think you’ll enjoy it! … Continue Reading

6-year-Old Explains Everything You Need to Know About Divorce

By Karman Lock on
When a group of relationship counselors was polled to determine what the leading cause of divorce was, 74% of them agreed that the biggest predictor was differing opinions on things like money or raising children. These are issues that have to be hammered out in a divorce, so if you struggled to get along with … Continue Reading

Kids and Divorce

By Toni Nieuwhof on
You may have come to the point where you admit to yourself that your marriage is over. You haven’t admitted it to anyone else because you were trying to make it work for the sake of your kids. But despite your best efforts to make the marriage work, the conflict between you is unbearable. So, … Continue Reading

How To Reduce Stress for Children of Divorce

By Brian Galbraith on
Daily structure and routine can help your children feel more secure. Children often find school stressful.  Add to that the anxiety and worries of a recent separation and it can be a very difficult time for children.  Giving your children a solid foundation of daily activities can help alleviate stress, anxiety and help with the … Continue Reading

Children and Divorce – How You Can Help Your Child Adjust

By Brian Galbraith on
A child of divorce writes on how to help your child during divorce. What better source? Thanks to Melissa Farrell a freelance writer who lives in Kansas for her insights. Speaking as a child of divorce, every situation is different. My parents were high school sweethearts and were together for over 10  years before they decided to … Continue Reading

Helping Children Deal with Divorce

By Brian Galbraith on
I have four children and my wife is pregnant. Children are the focus of our lives. The first three are from my first marriage. I remember feeling very worried about how they would do when we separated. I did some research at the time and did my best to make it work for them. I can … Continue Reading

Four Steps to Take with Your Child After Divorce

By Brian Galbraith on
Helping your children adjust after your divorce is essential. Heather Smith offers excellent advice on what you should do to help you child after the dust settles.   Here is Heather’s blog:     4 Steps to Take with Your Child After Divorce You have sat your child down and given the dreaded speech that you … Continue Reading

How To Tell Adult Children About Your Separation

By Brian Galbraith on
Separation and divorce is hard on children. Frankly, it’s hard on everyone, adult children included. Often separating couples see their adult children as being more able to cope with their parents’ separation than younger children. I am not sure this is true.  Erica Manfred is the author of "He’s History, You’re Not: Surviving Divorce After Forty." … Continue Reading

Who Drives The Children For Access Exchanges?

By Brian Galbraith on
When you become a parent, nobody tells you that you will become a personal taxi driver for your children! You will drive them to their sports activities, their music lessons, their friends’ homes and, if you have separated from the other parent, you might have to do some driving to and from their other parent’s home.  … Continue Reading

Computer Game for Children of Divorce: A Great Tool

By Brian Galbraith on
There is a new website for kids whose parents are going through a divorce. It’s called Changeville.  It teaches kids what happens when their parents separate in an entertaining, online way. The tour says "A walk through Changeville will tell you what to expect and help you deal with all the different feelings you might have and along the way … Continue Reading

Should Equal Parenting Time be Presumed?

By Brian Galbraith on
 Hilary Linton is a well respected mediator, trainer and lawyer in Ontario. She writes a provocative blog about whether there should be a presumption of 50/50 in custody cases. I have reproduced her blog for you below. The Riverdale Mediation Blog always is an interesting read.  In response to Hilary’s blog below, I feel the movement toward a … Continue Reading

Barrie Divorce Lawyer Explains Parental Alienation

By on
WHAT IS PARENTAL ALIENATION AND WHY IS IT SO BAD? There is an old African proverb that states “when two elephants fight it is the grass under their feet that suffers”. Similarly, when parents fight over custody and access of their children after a separation it is the children that suffer. In many cases the parents … Continue Reading

Scheduling Events When Divorced

By Brian Galbraith on
Have you been unaware of an upcoming school event (like the Christmas concert) or an extracurricular event because your spouse forgot to tell you? Isn’t it frustrating? And disappointing? It’s also embarrassing when you drop the ball and forget to pass on important information. Scheduling events, holidays and other activities for children can be difficult for any family, … Continue Reading

Why Dads Suffer in Court

By Brian Galbraith on
Susan Piggs recently had an excellent article in the Toronto Star entitled "Divorced Dads Can’t Catch a Break" . She outlines the many grievances of fathers who feel mistreated by the Ontario Court system. It’s sad to read the stories of so many aggrieved fathers. Many of these fathers believe that judges are intentionally against … Continue Reading

Supervised Access is an Option

By Brian Galbraith on
Supervised access means that  access to the children can only occur in the presence of someone else. The purpose is to ensure that the children will be safe. There are supervised access centers run by the government that will provide supervised access at their facilities in some cities including Barrie. Often the supervisor is a … Continue Reading
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