“Drunk Wedding, Still Married: Court Says Alcohol Isn’t Enough to Undo ‘I Do’”
People sometimes assume that an annulment is simply a faster or easier alternative to divorce. In reality, the opposite is true: In Ontario, annulments are uncommon, and courts approach them cautiously. The reason lies in what an annulment actually does. We’ve written about the general Canadian law on annulments before, in our Blogs titled Divorce vs. Annulment in Canada: What’s the...
Got Kids? Got a Narcissistic Ex? Here’s What to Do
Separating or divorcing is already hard enough. When you’ve got kids with your Ex, it adds a level of difficulty. But when your Ex shows the hallmarks of narcissistic behaviour – such as a pathological need for control, lack of empathy, and a tendency to shift blame – then the whole thing combines into what is often a messy nightmare. If you’re in this situation, then there’s a little good...
How to Handle Summer Custody Schedules Without Conflict
Springtime is finally here, and summer is just around the corner. It’s the time of year that children most look forward to, but for separated and divorced parents, it can be one of the most challenging times to handle summer custody schedules without conflict. That’s because there are often changes to routine, a greater need for childcare, and competing plans for vacation – all of it packed...
Are You New to Canada? Here’s What You Need to Know About Divorce
If you are a newcomer to Canada and are also facing the breakdown of your marriage, the legal process can feel unfamiliar and overwhelming. Understanding the basics can make the process more manageable, so we have set out some of the most common questions we receive: Q: I’m Originally from Another Country. Do Canadian Laws Apply to Me? A: Yes. As long as you live in this country, Canadian...
Law Times: Courts’ move to in-person hearings for family matters will lead to higher legal fees, backlogs: lawyers
Fine & Associates principal Lorne J. Fine was recently featured in Law Times, providing insight on a significant change to how family law matters are handled in Toronto. What’s changing in Ontario family courts? Starting April 2, 2026, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice will require most short family law motions in Toronto to be heard in person, moving away from the Zoom-based system...
Deepfakes, Text Messages, and Secret Recordings: A New Era of Digital Evidence in Family Law
Digital evidence is becoming a central issue in family law disputes across Ontario, and the risks are evolving quickly. In a recent article published in Law360 Canada, Lorne J. Fine of Fine & Associates explores how text messages, social media, recordings, and emerging technologies like AI-generated content are reshaping how courts assess evidence in family law matters. Why this matters...
Why Your Separation Date Matters in Your Divorce
In a recent Article titled Can You Be Separated While Still Living Together in Ontario? https://www.torontodivorcelaw.com/why-the-separation-date-matters/ we talked about how – for economic reasons – it’s becoming more common for divorcing couples to continue living together pending their divorce finalization. Under Canadian law, it’s fully possible to be separated and still live under the...
Why the Separation Date Matters
We provided a “how to” on Where spouses continue living together, disputes about the separation date are common — and often consequential. The separation date affects: When the one-year divorce period begins The valuation date for equalization of net family property under the Family Law Act The calculation and duration of spousal support Certain limitation periods As McBennett v. Danis...
Can You Be Separated While Still Living Together in Ontario?
In Canada, living together before marriage is common. Living together after separation, on the way to divorce? Not as common. Or maybe it’s becoming more so. With tough economic times, an unstable job climate, and high housing costs, many struggling couples have opted to stay living together, even though they have decided to end their marriage. If this describes you, then it’s important to...