What NOT to Do During a Divorce

Do NOT punish your Spouse The Divorce process can be very emotional. You may be very angry at your spouse. You may want to punish your spouse. Don’t make that mistake! If you make the divorce process more difficult, it will only increase your legal costs and increase your stress. It may make a resolution of the outstanding issues very difficult. Never threaten your spouse with violence. It can...

Child Support for School Expenses & Extracurriculars: What You Need to Know

When parents divorce or separate, one of the most crucial considerations is ensuring that their child’s financial needs are met. Child support covers the basic costs of raising a child, including housing, food, and clothing. However, as children grow, additional expenses, such as school-related costs and extracurricular activities, become essential for their development and well-being....

Child Support Questions: What You Need to Know in 2022

Going through a separation or divorce can be very difficult, especially when it comes to working through child support agreements. When you haven’t been through this before you may be wondering exactly what to expect and what your child support is meant for. Here are a few things you need to know about paying child support and the process. What does child support cover? This money is intended...

Parental Alienation and My Child

Parental alienation describes a behaviour in which one parent acts to undermine an otherwise solid parent-child relationship. It consists of turning a child or children against their other parent via manipulation causing a child to reject one parent. What is Parental Alienation in Custody Disputes? Parental alienation is a common negative factor in many custody disputes, and the forms of such...

First Family Principles and Divorce

All Children Are Not Equal Under First Family Practices Subsequent marriages may often lead to new siblings. Blended Families: The New Norm A previous marriage or relationship leaves a lasting impression on the future, especially when a child may be involved as a product of the former marriage. Beyond parental duties, there are financial obligations like child support that remain until a child...

How to Calculate Child Support Payments in Ontario

Of the many consequences of divorce, the changes to the family’s financial affairs can create tension in an already strained situation. The costs associated with operating separate households—often on reduced income—could result in the children experiencing certain hardships. It is key for parents to remember, under Canadian Family Law, they are both legally responsible for the financial...

How to File For Child Custody in Ontario With Child Support

While divorce can be a difficult process, couples who have children need to put a priority on their children’s best interests. Under Ontario’s Family Law, parents are required to provide care for their children regardless of marital status. So when a marriage breaks down, parents must make important decisions about custody, access, and support for their children. Related resource: Online...

Paternity Test Guidelines: What If He Refuses?

Every part of your relationship with this man has been a struggle… so why should this be any different? You know he’s the father of your baby, but he’s refusing a paternity test, and any of the parental obligations that would go with a positive result. Is there a set of legal paternity test guidelines? What do you do now? Can you force him to take the test? This isn’t the answer you want to...

3 Things That Can Cost You Your Joint Custody Visitation Rights

Can your ex-spouse’s constantly missing support payments cost them their joint custody visitation rights? A lot of people wish this was the case. But in Canada, you can’t withhold child access for missed child support payments, nor can you refuse to pay child support because the other parent will not let you see your children. A court will also never take away access because of overdue...