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  • Guest Blog - Larissa Stone: @font-face { font-family: "Calibri";}@font-face { font-family: "Cambria";}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }How can you keep your Dignity intact when your Divorce is on TV? Kris Humphries doesn’t want a penny from Kim Kardashianbecause he claims the marriage was a fraud.…
  • Guest Blog from Fairway Mississauga: @font-face { font-family: "Calibri";}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }a:link, span.MsoHyperlink { color: blue; text-decoration: underline; }a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed { color: purple; text-decoration: underline; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }@font-face { font-family: "Calibri";}p.MsoNormal,…
  • New Family Law Act in BC– Leads the Pack in Canada: The fact that Bill 16, Family Law Act has been passed is a sign that the traditional system needed reform. The new act addresses some of the fundamental problems in the system and we look optimistically to the impact it has on divorce with children and families in general.  I do not think anyone can argue or dispute the massive amount of destruction to assets and children that has occurred in our adversarial system.…
  • Mediation vs. Litigation - A common sense trend to Resolving Matrimonial Issues: Finding yourself on the doorsteps of divorce is hard enough emotionally but add the multitude of decisions on how to divorce that are going to have to be made and it can feel completely overwhelming. While there are only two main areas for decision-making; kids and money, coming to resolution can take years and use up a lot of your hard earned wealth.  While there is more of a trend towards divorce mediation, many…
  • No Nonsense Divorce Tips for Men: Divorce does not need to define you but how you choice to move through it can. The old antage - Fail to plan - plan to fail is rite with wisdom.  While finding yourself on the door steps of divorce may not have been your plan - you can start taking charge. Set the course and commit to take control of the things you can and manage the things you can't. There  is light at the end of the tunnel and if you embrace the lessons,…
  • You Just Don't Do It For Me Anymore!: Those were the harsh words I heard 10 years ago just before 9/11. Sept 11 marks the day the towers came down and with that the chaos and pain that followed.  For me it marks not only the global nightmare but also the time that my personal walls came crashing down.  After 8 years of what I thought was a good marriage my husband announced to me "I just did not do it for him anymore". At that time we had three young children,…
  • Friends After Divorce - Possible? Recommended?: Most will agree that being friends after a relationship is difficult as the question of ulterior motive and resentment can hover in the clouds.  If friendship is in the cards it requires clear boundaries, a very understanding new partner and an ability of both parties to take responsibility and be accountable to the outcome of their relationship. The truth is that if two people who once were lovers can be friends there…
  • Balancing Back to School Budget: Balance Needs VS WantsThere is a ton of pier pressure around back to school clothing and supplies.  Make a list of their “needs” and agree that the children will get one or two of their “wants” met and then allocate a set dollar amount that they are free to spend.Set Budget in Advance of ShoppingBefore you venture into any store with the wondering eyes of your children set a non-negotiable budget.  This…
  • How to Reduce Back to School Stress While Co-Parenting: Agreeing on Priorities Early On is Essential Back to school is a busy time of year for any family, but for those also trying to juggle the challenges of co-parenting it can be even more exhausting and stressful. Balancing the needs and wants of kids while also dealing with trying to accommodate the different value systems or priorities of each household can be result in unnecessary conflict. Like most events in the lives…
  • Are we glamorizing divorce for the next generation?: Marriages end in Divorce on average close to 50%.  While it is impossible to accurately determine  what the stats are in all the separate States, it seems that where there is more celebrity and wealth - there are more divorces and so perhaps setting a bit more of the tone for "Divorce".   Do we understand the impact that we are having on the next generation and how we are actually glamorizing divorce?  We seem to …
  • Proceed With Caution: Dating After Divorce: Venturing into the dating game after divorce can be exciting and treacherous all at the same time.  Many jump back in without reallytaking the time to ensure that they do not repeat the same mistakes andend up attracting Mr. or Ms. wrong all over again. Knowing when you areready does require introspection, time and hard work but there are a few tips that can at least set you on the right path.Feeling your pain We…
  • Prenups - I do or I don't?: I have been involved with helping clients put together prenups and while I agree that some form of pre marriage agreement is prudent if there are a lot of assets, we have gone overboard. The biggest problem is that prenups simply do not lay the foundation for a partnership. Take for example two people that go into a business together 50/50 and they both contribute in their way to the business but only one of the parties…
  • Getting Divorced: What is the Smart First Step?: The other day a woman called for advice. She just found out threedays before that her husband was leaving. She has been astay-at-home-mom with three children under 17 and maintains a healthylifestyle supported by her husband's good fortune in the market. Shewanted to know her rights and what lawyer she should call. She was intears and all she could get out was that she needed to know her "legalrights." …
  • Divorce and Your Financial Planning: "Fail to Plan. Plan to Fail."Does this apply to our money and divorce as well?  After 20 years as a financial advisor, watching the market implode and explode, does it make sense to add "Divorce Financial Planning" to our agenda"?  When we do our personal financial planning we consider retirement, medical, education etc but we certainly do not consider divorce, and if we do, we do not…
  • Come on Hollywood get your ACT together: Marriages end in Divorce on average close to 50%.  While it is impossible to accurately determine exactly what the stats are in Hollywood as they do not separate out the “stars”, it must be well over 90%.   Do the “stars” not understand the impact they have on society especially the younger and more vulnerable?   Do they not take any responsibility for the legacy they are leaving?  …
  • Divorce to be easier in Ontario – Long overdue: This last week’s decision in Ontario to streamline a less confrontational court process for couples faced with divorce is fantastic and long overdue for our Ontario system.  It is public knowledge that the courts are back-logged and Ontario is no exception to this unfortunate situation.  The cost for an adversarial divorce case is costing tax payers a lot of money. From last weeks rumblings we see that the…
  • Guest Blog from Fairway Waterloo-Wellington: Get out of your Own WayPeople have an uncanny ability to get in their own way when it comes to dealing with difficult situations. When we are stressed or operating in a state of fear, it’s easy to get caught up in our emotions and that’s when we lose objectivity and perspective. We justify our thoughts and can convince ourselves with statements like: it’s ok, we are right, we deserve it, they owe me. And while most…
  • Why are we so mad at Arnold?: Are we mad because he had a child with another women or because he hid the child or because he cheated on America’s royal sweetheart?  Or all of the above?A bit confusing really since we know that infidelity happens all the time and is responsible for many marriage breakups. And let's face it  - where there is sex there is potential for a baby. Hello!  I guess the entire media craze seems just a bit surreal. …
  • Dads using facebook to position for child custody - some no nonsense advice for Mothers!: There seems to be a trend of Mothers accusing Fathers of using facebook to make them look like “good” Dads.  A number of women are complaining about “deadbeat Dads” using facebook to post pictures that show Dad in a good light so to position them legally and otherwise. What people seem to not understand is that when a couple divorces, history is rewritten.  The parties will see their marriage and the…
  • Mother's Day - a Fine Balance for Stepmoms and Biological Moms: Mother’s Day - A special day set aside to celebrate our mothers and grandmothers.  On the surface this seems easy enough – buy a card, some flowers and perhaps prepare dinner. It is also a fun day for the younger children to take a stab at preparing breakfast and serving it to mom in bed.  The image is full of fun and laughter.  But, for blended families this day can cause stress when trying to find…