In Canada, most people must engage in a one year legal separation prior to getting a divorce. During that time, bills must be paid, decisions must be made about who lives where, and children must be cared for. If you are getting a separation, you need a legal separation agreement to protect your interests. While…

Separating has tax consequences. So does getting a divorce. Those consequences start by changing your filing obligations to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).  Here’s what you need to know about filing taxes when your marriage is coming to an end.   Notification Requirements Did you know you are required to notify the Canada Revenue Agency…

Signing a prenuptial agreement can save you a lot of time and headaches. A prenuptial agreement allows you to negotiate what happens in the event of a marriage breakdown. They are also known as marriage contracts. They are especially useful for helping you protect property that you bring to the marriage, such as a business…

Spousal support is a big divorce “hot button.” Few people love the idea of writing a big monthly check to someone they no longer love. Spousal support can put a strain on the paying party’s finances. So it’s no surprise that most people fight tooth and nail to keep it out of their divorce settlement. …

Do you feel it’s in the best interests of your child to get full custody? It may be possible, but there are things you’ll have to prove to the court. In addition, the issue of sole custody is one of the most misunderstood items in Canadian family law. It is vital to understand what you’re…

Canada’s Divorce Act recognizes that most children need both parents in their life in order to thrive. Judges actively seek to preserve the relationships between parents and their children, and custody arrangements reflect this agenda unless one parent has engaged in family violence which can prove harmful to children. Yet sometimes parents despise their ex…

Everybody’s child support situation is a little different. Here, we present you with different scenarios that could impact when your child support responsibilities will terminate. You will need to refer to your divorce decree to find out what is true in your specific case, or you will need to consult with your family law attorney.…

If you have minor children divorce can bring up a lot of fears. If you’re worried that you might lose your ability to have a relationship with your child as a result of a divorce, then let us put your fears to rest. Under normal circumstances, it is almost impossible for your child to be…

Did you know that some divorces in Canada last as long as three years? That’s not the norm, but the truth is many divorces last longer than they have to. Once your separation year is up you can often finish in four to six months if you and your spouse can quickly agree to resolve…

The average divorce in Canada costs $18,000, with prices ranging anywhere from $3000 to $33,000 depending on how involved the divorce is and how much fighting takes place.  Yet there are ways to manage divorce costs. Here’s what you need to know.   Amicable Divorce: The Cheaper Option The people who spend the least on…

Splitting assets causes a great deal of anxiety during most divorces. Many people are worried they’ll be left destitute, or that their former spouse will walk away with “everything.” It is almost impossible for either spouse to walk away with everything however. Canadian law is designed to divide property as equitably as possible.    How…

Annulments are rare in Canada, but if you qualify for one it might leave you in a better position than a divorce would.  An annulment is a court order that says your marriage was invalid or never existed. A divorce ends a valid marriage that did exist.  An annulment can happen a lot faster than…