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...
Understanding Parental Alienation – And What You Can Do About It
Separation and divorce are rarely easy, particularly if there are children involved. In some families, conflict can escalate to the point where one parent believes the other is undermining their relationship with the child. This situation is often described as “parental alienation.” The term is frequently used, but it’s not always well-understood. Plus, courts approach these kinds of...
How Narcissistic Behaviour Affects Parenting Time and Decision-Making in Ontario
Co-parenting after separation is rarely easy. But if your child’s other parent consistently displays narcissistic traits, it can be exponentially worse than a typical break-up. Of course “narcissism” is not a legal term – but it’s used to refer to one category of parent who engages in high-conflict behaviour that makes it difficult to resolve separation and divorce issues, and often has a...
Putting Kids First – While Still Making Parenting Time Decisions That Actually Work
If you are one of two parents who have separated, parenting time decisions, you’ll know that it’s common for emotions to run high. It’s natural to want as much time with your child as possible – but also normal to feel defensive when your Ex pushes for an arrangement you don’t agree with. But at the end of the day, parenting time and arrangements around decision-making responsibility are not...
Pride Month & Parenthood Planning: Ontario’s Cautionary Tale
June is Pride Month — a time to celebrate love and families, and the many unique and different forms both can take. For many in the 2SLGBTQ+ community, building a family still involves navigating legal, emotional, and logistical hurdles that heterosexual couples may never have to think about. A recent Ontario case shows just how complicated things can get when friends set out to create a...
Navigating Divorce and Substance Abuse in Ontario
Divorce is a complex legal process, and it has many emotional repercussions as well. Every couple has its own unique relationship history; each spouse has unique strengths, needs, and shortcomings that they bring to the negotiating table. When substance abuse is part of the mix, the process of divorce can become significantly more complicated. In Ontario, the Family justice system takes a...
Relocation and Family Law in Ontario: What Happens When a Parent Wants to Move with Their Child?
Few issues in family law can be as emotionally charged and impactful as relocation. If you are a separated or divorced parent, and you need or want to move with your child to a new location, it can deeply affect everyone involved – especially the child him or herself. Regardless of whether it’s due to career advancement, family needs, or personal safety, the need to relocate can be legally...
What is the Office of the Children’s Lawyer?
For those of you who are parents and are involved in Family Litigation in Ontario, you may have heard about the Office of the Children’s Lawyer (OCL). This brief blog will touch upon the basics points you need to know about this provincial government entity. What is the OCL? The Office of the Children’s Lawyer (OCL) operates as a specialized Ontario government agency,...