There is no rule that says you can’t date soon after the separation but have you considered both the pros and the cons, of dating AND of going public with it? Interested in some pointers? - LISTEN

If you are part of a family court case in Ontario, sooner or later you will participate in a Conference. They are a key tool in the system of Case Management. Are you about to attend one, and interested in learning more? - LISTEN.

When separation happens, many parents think of their kids first, and how they will be affected. Some commence an epic fight without truly understanding why, and what they hope to accomplish. Some are misguided in doing so - not understanding what will actually make a difference before the court, for example. Interested in hearing some tips about addressing parenting issues the right way? - LISTEN.

It’s human to want to support someone who is hurting - including in the context of a separation. Interested in some tips on helping but not causing harm? - LISTEN.

Not all Family Mediators bill for their services the same way. You have many options when it comes to the choice of a mediator, and you can also find a billling arrangement for those services that suits you and your budget. Interested in learning more? - LISTEN.

Not all lawyers bill for their services the same way. Your financial relationship with your lawyer is important - you should ask as many questions about it as possible, before you hire someone. You are making a financial committment - hiring a member of your team - it’s important that you understand how that person will bill for their services, and how you will pay them - LISTEN.

I hear this from many parents but some do not understand the law around their actual arrangements - sharing the kids - and the legal consequences to them and their children. Interested in learning more? - LISTEN.

When it comes to support (in Canada) not every dollar in your hand is actually a dollar available to spend. Why? Because some support is taxable in the hands of the recipient. Wondering whether the support you receive would be treated this way? LISTEN!

Many people are confused when it comes to terms like custody, decision-making, access and parenting time. What does each mean? And then, there is parallel parenting……I discuss all of these terms in this episode of the podcast.

Many people think: income is just income, right? If it’s good enough for CRA, it’s good enough for family court - but is it? In this episode, I provide an overview of “income” in family law.

Child support is the second most asked-about topic in family law - and I say that as both a family law lawyer and family mediator. On this episode, I tackle the three questions I am asked most often. My email

You get yet another text from the other parent, the fifth text today, and by this time you are about to lose your mind. Very little about your kid - a lot about you and what a bad parent you apparently are. What do you do? I offer some tips. My email

Wondering if this is a realistic threat in Canada? Can one spouse stand in the way of the other’s wish to be divorced? Listen. My email

Travel with children post-separation is a given - many separated parents understandably want to make new memories with kids - on trips and excursions. But it’s not always about what a parent wants. In this episode, I talk about the basics of travel in the context of separation - and how family courts approach this issue if separated parents cannot agree on a proposed trip. My email

There are many preconceptions in family law - one of them is that prenups or marriage contracts are always “a bad thing”. They spoil the romance, they introduce suspicion early on in the relationship and so on …..but are they always to be avoided? Listen to this episode if you are interested in learning more. My email

Talking about COVID can be challenging, including for separated parents. In this episode, I offer some tips on when and how to broach the subject - with the goal of minimizing the potential for conflict. My email

Oh yes, child support - I receive so, so many questions about it. Here is a primer - I discuss some very basic concepts about child support - to help you build a foundation for your knowledge in this area of family law. Once you know the basics, you will be better able to identify and further investigate issues specific to your circumstances. My email

Much of the stress associated with separation comes from not knowing what is next, what steps are ahead and how to take them. The unknown can be downright scary. In this episode, I offer some tips on how to tackle feeling like you are walking on cracked ice. My email

Are you thinking of comparing your separation to that of someone you know? Is it a co-worker, a neighbour? Or a friend of a friend of a friend? Are your cases actually similar? Are you sure? In this episode, I share my thoughts about such comparisons - how they might help you but also hurt you. My email

The Separation Date is my topic on this episode of the podcast. What is it, when does it take place, who decides when it does, and is there such a thing as a legal separation. Many people have questions about this issue and I provide some answers. Listen! My email