By Karman Lock on One of the key assets in any marriage is the matrimonial home. It is where the spouses have lived together and often raised their family; it can be full of both good and bad memories, and for some spouses it can have an emotional value to them way out of accord with its actual monetary … Continue Reading
By Brian Galbraith on Source http://www.bestmastersincounseling.com/children-and-divorce/ A Parents’ Guide to Children and Divorce Divorce is one of the most traumatic experiences a person can go through, whether they’re a spouse or a child of divorcing parents. Let’s look at some of the facts behind divorce and its effects on children, including how parents can help ensure their … Continue Reading
By Brian Galbraith on Planning a trip across the Canadian border with the kids this summer without the other parent? You need a notarized travel consent! If you are separated, trips without the other parent are the new normal. There is nothing worse than being stopped at the border with your kids in tow because you don’t have the … Continue Reading
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
By Brian Galbraith on We often hear clients say things like the following…. “Last night, I searched through Anne’s emails on her computer, and this is what I found…” “I found these letters between Frank and his lawyer…” “I installed spyware on Sue’s computer, and I’ve been recording her phone calls to Holly and Aiden, and you should … Continue Reading
By Brian Galbraith on There is a myth that fathers never get custody. This myth is based on the historic fact that most children traditionally were raised by mothers and that fathers were the bread-winners. As a result, in those days, it made sense that the courts assumed it was in the best interests of the children to be … Continue Reading
By Brian Galbraith on The term custody refers to how parents make decisions for their children. Joint Custody means that the major decisions are made by the parents together. Sole custody means that one parent makes the major decisions. If the other parent has sole custody, you have a legal right to access information about your children from caregivers, … Continue Reading
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
By Brian Galbraith on Yes, there are apps to help make divorce go more smoothly. Edward Weinstein’s most recent blog introduces some new ones that can help make divorce less stressful and more functional. In addition, I encourage you to use Skype or Google Hangout. These are great ways of doing video conferencing with your children when you can’t see … Continue Reading
By Brian Galbraith on Avvo recently did a survey of 890 consumers and 447 lawyers. Their results are in the infographic below. The number one concern for consumers going through a divorce is cost. Not surprising. Yet so many people end up in Family Court. Here is a good comparison of the costs of Ontario Family Court proceedings versus Collaborative … Continue Reading
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
By Brian Galbraith on Today’s guest blogger is writing about the 5 mistakes made by people who are in family court. While the advice is sound, it reinforces to me how undesirable it is to be in Family Court. It really is an awful experience. But, alas, if you are in Family Court, heed the following good advice… or … Continue Reading
By Brian Galbraith on Trust is essential for every relationship and is often damaged when people are getting divorced. It can be damaged many different ways. An affair, a lie or a betrayal can damage trust. Trust may also be broken when people change and no longer understand each other. They just grow apart. In my life, I know … Continue Reading
By Brian Galbraith on Christmas is for children but when Mom and Dad have separated or divorced, it can be a difficult time. I remember how difficult it was my first year after separation. I was devastated. Now, many years later, we schedule our “Christmas” any time between December 22nd and December 28th. The actual date does not matter… … Continue Reading
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
By Brian Galbraith on One of the most stressful aspects of separation and divorce is the uncertainty.You don’t know how much money you will have, how much time you will have with your children and when the pain will go away. When I went through my own divorce, I hated the uncertainty and I am a divorce lawyer! The government … Continue Reading
By Brian Galbraith on More and more children are no longer able to leave home when they become adults, or are returning home to live with their parents even after completing post-secondary education. There are fewer "empty nests" these days. There are many reasons for this new trend. What is alarming for divorced parents is that in Ontario you … Continue Reading
By Brian Galbraith on Separation and Divorce: These are ugly words. They conjure up feelings of pain, disappointment, fear, and uncertainty. What is the first step? How do I get through this? I remember when I went through my own divorce (yes, divorce lawyers sometimes get divorced too) how stressful it was for me. I feared the impact it … Continue Reading
By Brian Galbraith on Sandra Ramos is a financial planner who has helped many clients who are going through a divorce make good financial decisions about their future. Sandra graciously agreed to offer a guest blog with her insights. Here it is. Following any marriage breakdown there is a time of emotional healing, but there is also a need for … Continue Reading
By Brian Galbraith on Below is a fantastic graphic about the cost of kids. I have four of them and can say, without a doubt they are expensive and worth every dime. They truly enrich my life. Created by: EarlyChildhoodEducation… Continue Reading
By Brian Galbraith on Brenda Shapiro, a lawyer in Florida, submitted the following article to me about how in the USA there are provisions for wealthy parents to pay money into trust funds for their child as child support. We don’t have such statutory provisions in Ontario, Canada but I really like the idea. In Brenda’s example, a young … Continue Reading
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
By Brian Galbraith on The role of a Forensic Accountant in a divorce is not well known. Erin Palmer offers great insights into this valuable professional who can help uncover hidden assets or income of a deceptive spouse. Here is Erin’s blog: All’s Fair in Love and War, Except in Divorce – That’s What Forensic Accountants Are For You … Continue Reading
By Brian Galbraith on The other day the judge in Family Court said "We can’t consider "fairness" when deciding cases." I was shocked but then I realized that she is right. Family Court is about rules and process. Like cases are to be treated alike according to the law. The law is a set of principles that the judge uses … Continue Reading
