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Mediation, Arbitration or Court? Do people really know what they are getting themselves into with court?


I completed my second year of law school at the beginning of May and last week I assisted Joanna Shaw on a matter at family court. She was acting as an OCL for a child whose parents were negotiating and changing the guidelines of their parenting time. This was my first time in family court […]

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A case for overcoming obstacles when parenting during separation.


Over the years I have come to find that parents and people, in general, limit their own growth and their capacity to do great things in the world when they focus on their conflict, negativity and things that drain their energy. Their ability to do great things is limited by their thoughts and assumptions about […]

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Choose Your Village


I have recently had the pleasure of listening to one of our Ontario Court Judges and was encouraged by her use of the term “village,” especially since the conversation was happening in the world of law. She noted that one should have a village to turn to in times of hardship, joy and peace. I […]

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What to Do Now That Your Marriage Is Over


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COVID-19 Wills and POA


During this COVID-19 global crisis, we need to ensure that our legal rights and wishes are protected. If you are currently separated from your spouse, it is imperative that you have a will and power of attorney in place to protect your personal and proprietary rights.

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Separation & Cohabitation Agreements


The global pandemic of COVID-19 is changing the way we function as a society and the family law practice has also had to adapt to make sure our clients and fellow practitioners are safe. On March 23, 2020, the Ontario court services were modified to adapt to physical distancing. At the moment, courts are only […]

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Mortgage Stress Test


WHAT IS THIS “STRESS TEST” YOU ASK? It is a test used by Lenders to determine whether a borrower will be able to afford his/her mortgage payments in the event interest rates go up. The test itself requires that a mortgage applicant prove that he/she can make payments at the qualifying interest rate plus two […]

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Net Sale Proceeds of the Home During Separation


When spouses separate, they will need to divide their assets and debts – this is called “net family property”. If there is a matrimonial or family home in the net family property, and it has to be sold or refinanced, the net sale proceeds or refinancing funds are only one part of the division of […]

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Determining the Value of the Home Upon Separation


A separating couple may wish to jointly hire an appraiser or real estate agent in order to determine the value of the matrimonial home. A certified real estate appraiser’s valuation will be more accurate, but it will be more expensive to obtain, whereas a real estate agent’s letter of opinion will reflect a fair market […]

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Right to Live in the Home After Separation


After a family separation, both spouses also have a right to live in or “occupy” the matrimonial home. If one spouse is able to buy out the other spouse’s equity in the home, then they may be able to stay in the home. However, if neither spouse is able to afford to buy out the […]

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