Considering separation/divorce:
- "Do I need a lawyer to get divorced?"
Richmond, BC divorce lawyer Danny Zack answers: "If there are no assets, no children, and fairly similar incomes..."
- "Are prenuptial agreements worthwhile?"
Richmond, British Columbia divorce lawyer Danny Zack answers: "If you'd asked me that question a few years ago, I would have answered, 'Maybe'..."
- "I'm worried that this divorce is going to ruin me financially. Do you have any tips to prevent this?"
Vancouver financial advisor Akeela Davis answers: "The biggest financial costs of a divorce are the lawyer's billable hours, court costs, and..."
- "Should we stay together for the sake of the kids? If so, how long?"
Toronto, Ontario family lawyer and mediator Barbara Landau answers: "This is a complicated question, but one that thoughtful parents often ask..."
- "What is a forensic accountant, and should I consider using one for my divorce?"
Smart Divorce creator Deborah Moskovitch answers: "A forensic accountant has additional training that allows him or her to investigate..."
- "My spouse wants a divorce. I don't. Can a lawyer help me fight it?"
If you're served with an application for divorce, you may contest it. But you must have grounds. Grounds could be that the relief requested in the application, such as support and division of the net family property, isn't agreeable to you.
Child support will be in accordance with the federal child support guidelines if both parents get nearly all of their income each year from a regular salary or wage, and one parent has access to the children less than 40% of the time...
- "My marriage is in trouble. What steps can I take to save it?"
It is really important that you react quickly to the realization that your marriage is in trouble. Many people do not want to acknowledge that there are problems in their marriages, and by the time that they confront the reality of the situation, it is too late.
Once you realize that there are problems, it is essential you sit down with your partner and talk about what each of you perceives to be the problems in the marriage. A marriage counselor can be extremely helpful to you at this stage, since an inability to effectively communicate or problem-solve is frequently identified as a main problem when marital problems arise...
- "How do I ask my spouse for a divorce?"
Toronto and Mississauga, Ontario divorce mediator-counselor Barbara Anderson answers: "Our lives are a process of changing and developing..."
- "Can I get a divorce without a family lawyer?"
Ontario family lawyer and mediator Mary Satterfield answers: "The paperwork is complicated, and there are strict rules about how to proceed..."
- "I want a divorce, but I don't think I can afford it. What should I do?"
Thornhill, Ontario financial planner Mitzy Harnick-Pollock answers: "The first thing to do is to gather up all of your financial information..."
- "What are some of the advantages of Collaborative Divorce?"
DivorceMagazine.com answers: "The most obvious benefit of a Collaborative Divorce is the reduction in stress and emotional trauma..."
- "My husband says we'll save time and money by using the collaborative approach because we can share a divorce lawyer. Is that really how Collaborative Divorce works?"
DivorceMagazine.com answers: "In Collaborative Divorce, each spouse hires his or her own collaborative lawyer..."
- "How do we know if we're good candidates for Collaborative Divorce?"
DivorceMagazine.com answers: "If both you and your spouse are interested in resolving your divorce cooperatively and openly, with a sincere commitment to..."
During separation/divorce:
- "How is child support determined?"
Richmond, BC divorce lawyer Danny Zack answers: "Since 1997, we have had tables provided that prescribe what child support should be..."
- "What is the collaborative process?"
Richmond, British Columbia divorce lawyer Danny Zack answers: "The collaborative process is a relatively new method of dispute resolution in family law..."
- "What is mediation?"
Richmond, BC divorce lawyer Danny Zack answers: "Mediation is a process that comes under the umbrella of alternate dispute resolution..."
- "What if I don't agree with my divorce lawyer's tactics and strategies? Can I get a second legal opinion without firing my family lawyer?"
Toronto divorce lawyer Judith Holzman answers: "You are deciding your future, and you have the right to a second opinion..."
- "My wife and I have agreed to divorce via a collaborative process, but she and her divorce lawyer are not cooperating fairly. Is it likely that we'll reach a fair settlement?"
Toronto, Ontario family lawyer James MacDonald answers: "The techniques of collaborative family lawyers and traditional divorce lawyers are based on opposing philosophies..."
- "Should I tell my family lawyer the whole truth? There are things I would like to keep to myself."
Toronto divorce lawyer Joe Sheridan answers: "A client asking this question may be embarrassed to provide the full details of the situation..."
- "Can I fire my family lawyer? How? Under what conditions?"
Toronto family lawyer Judith Holzman answers: "You are the employer, your divorce lawyer is the employee: that is the exact appropriate terminology..."
- "I don't feel like my family lawyer is answering my questions. What can I do to change this?"
Toronto family lawyer Michael Cochrane answers: "Communication breakdown is the number-one cause of problems between divorce lawyers and clients..."
- "What is involved in gathering data for divorce mediation?"
Vancouver, BC divorce lawyer and mediator Deborah Zutter answers: "Data gathering can be complex and multi-faceted. It includes the following tasks..."
- "What if I made a bad choice for my divorce lawyer? Should I switch?"
Smart Divorce creator Deborah Moskovitch answers: "Switching lawyers takes time and costs money, and it is not unusual for clients to misuse this option..."
- "I need to discuss certain aspects of my case. Can I call my spouse's divorce lawyer if mine is out of town?"
Toronto, Ontario divorce lawyer Allen Cooper answers: "The rule is firm, yet many people, even when they know the rule, think they can make an exception..."
- "Is it all right to date or have a sexual relationship with my family lawyer?"
Divorce lawyer Robert Burg answers: "In family law, there is something called 'the appearance of impropriety'..."
- "Can I object to the amount of fees charged by my divorce lawyer? How?"
Toronto, Ontario family lawyer George Eyre answers: "When you first retain your divorce lawyer, it's important to discuss how the lawyer will bill you..."
- "My husband wants his divorce lawyer to represent both of us to save on fees. Is this a good idea?"
Toronto and Whitby, Ontario family lawyer Gary Stern answers: "You and your spouse have competing issues that need to be addressed by separate counsel..."
- "We have a lot of assets to divide. Is Collaborative Divorce appropriate -- or even wise?"
Vancouver divorce lawyer-mediator Deborah Lynn Zutter answers: "Collaborative Divorce allows the two of you to agree on what assets you are dividing..."
- "How can I shorten my divorce process?"
Burlington, Ontario divorce mediator and counsellor Maggie Hall answers: "Plan ahead as much as you can with your partner, prior to separation if possible..."
- "How can I make more effective use of my divorce lawyer if I'm mediating my divorce?"
Whitby, Ontario divorce lawyer Helen Brooks answers: "Some divorce mediators know legal issues, but they're professionally trained to be impartial..."
- "When does divorce mediation not work?"
Smart Divorce creator Deborah Moskovitch answers: "In order for mediation to succeed, it requires the will of the persons involved to come to an agreement..."
- "How can I determine the value of my spouse's pension?"
Ontario actuary Ben Dibben answers: "It is necessary to determine whether the pension is provided under a defined contribution pension plan..."
- "I'm not certain my family lawyer has a good handle on the financial aspects of my divorce; I'm not convinced I'm getting my fair share. What should I do?"
Toronto, Ontario accountant and business valuator Andrew Freedman answers: "The value of private company business is a common issue of concern..."
- "Can I be forced to go to family mediation?"
Vancouver, BC family lawyer-mediator Deborah Lynn Zutter answers: "It depends on where you live! For example, the Saskatchewan Queen's Bench requires that..."
- "How does collaborative law differ from mediation or litigation?"
DivorceMagazine.com answers: "Like mediation, collaborative family law is a cooperative, cost-effective, and stress-reducing alternative to litigation..."
- "What happens if the collaborative model doesn't work for us and we're not able to reach a settlement?"
DivorceMagazine.com answers: "In collaborative family law, both parties retain a specially trained collaborative divorce lawyer..."
- "How is a Collaborative Divorce settlement different from a settlement in a traditional case?"
DivorceMagazine.com answers: "Most divorce cases settle out of court, in terms of property division, spousal and child support, and custody and visitation..."
- "What role does the financial advisor play in the Collaborative Divorce model? Do we need to involve one in our divorce?"
DivorceMagazine.com answers: "Unlike in a traditional divorce case, where each spouse may hire his or her own financial advisor to work exclusively with that party..."
- "My wife and I have agreed to divorce via the collaborative process, but she and her lawyer are not cooperating fairly. Is it likely that we'll reach a fair settlement?"
DivorceMagazine.com answers: "The whole philosophy of Collaborative Divorce is about resolving disputes through fair cooperation, whereas..."
- "Does Collaborative Divorce work the same way throughout the United States and Canada?"
DivorceMagazine.com answers: "Collaborative Divorce uses the same basic model throughout North America -- that of two collaborative lawyers who..."
DNA/Paternity Testing:
Income taxes:
Legal issues:
Post-divorce issues:
- "After divorce, what can I do to make a healthy transition that would give me and my family a hopeful outlook to the future?"
Charlotte Eulette, the North American Director of the Celebrant Foundation, answers: "After going through the "real life" upheaval and anxiety of a divorce..."
- "I've heard of people having 'divorce ceremonies'. What's that all about?"
Charlotte Eulette, the North American Director of the Celebrant Foundation, answers: "In a ceremony of this kind, friends and family gather for their honored friend..."
- "I want to change my name back to my maiden name. How do I do this?"
Toronto divorce lawyer Linda Ippolito answers: "Under the Change of Name Act, you may resume the surname you had immediately before the marriage..."
- "Are spousal support and child support taxable? If so, is there any way to structure support payments to my ex to lower my taxes?"
Toronto, Ontario financial advisor Dixie Allen answers: "The good news is that spousal support and child support payments are not taxable to you. However..."
- "If my ex declares bankruptcy, am I liable for his debts?"
Toronto and Maple, Ontario divorce lawyer Judith Holzman answers: "Many couples, while together, co-mingle their assets and sign on each other's debts..."
- "My ex-spouse is not complying with the provisions of our divorce judgment concerning payment of child support and spousal support. What are my options?"
Toronto divorce lawyer George Eyre answers: "You should retain counsel to discuss strategy and to communicate with your ex-spouse..."
- "When does my divorce become effective? And what happens after the divorce judgment has been entered?"
Toronto family lawyer James MacDonald answers: "In Ontario family law, there is a waiting period of thirty-one days after the divorce is granted..."
- "Can I make modifications to my divorce judgment? My circumstances have changed, and I'm going to need more support."
Toronto, Ontario family lawyer Michael Cochrane answers: "A divorce judgment is a final decision for a marriage. It dissolves the marriage permanently..."
- "I'm starting to dread my stepchildren's visits. What should I do?"
Toronto, Ontario divorce lawyer-mediator Barbara Landau answers: "Your dilemma is a familiar one: whether to be cthe awful stepmother or suffer in silence like Cinderella..."
- "What can I do to gain the self-confidence to go dancing?"
Thornhill, Ontario dance instructor Joel Wood answers: "By identifying your challenges, you've taken the first step to achieving your goal..."
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