by Timothy Sullivan, lawyer Custody battles can be costly. Family lawyers see this kind of situation all too often: A protracted custody and access battle between divorcing parents goes on far longer than it should, typically because one or both parties escalate situations restrict access or bring motions when a conversation should have sufficed. The […]
“I’m still married, but now I have a live-in girlfriend. We both have kids. What does this mean, legally speaking?” Whenever a married couple separates – especially if there are young children involved – it’s best to document any custody and parenting arrangements, even if they’re only to be used on an interim basis.
Even highly-educated professionals should see independent legal advice In some ways, getting a divorce is a pretty straightforward proposition: There’s well-established case law, mostly-clear standards, and generally accepted principles for dividing property and establishing spousal and child support. And there’s a fear that ‘bringing lawyers into it’ can turn what may otherwise be an
by Timothy Sullivan, lawyer “Love and marriage go together like a horse and carriage…” When’s the last time you’ve seen a horse or been in a carriage? You meet, date, decide to share expenses and rent, maybe buy a house, have kids. Seems normal. And it is. Common law coupling is less about a decision
When fighting over furry friends, consider what it’s (really) worth by Timothy Sullivan, Lawyer We’re talking about pets more than usual this month because of our support for SafePet Ottawa and their gala event at the beginning of November, but the issue of ‘pet custody’ as it relates to separation and divorce has been increasingly
by Emily Murray, Litigation Associate “The ownership of a dog is a more complex and nuanced question than the ownership of, say, a bicycle.” [1] According to Canadian courts, when a couple separates, whoever paid for the pet is the owner, unless the pet was bought as a gift.[2] If the cost of buying
The law is pretty clear – which is why your Will should be, too Lawyers are often criticized for nagging clients (and potential clients, and family members, and friends) about the importance of making a Will, but it’s really just that we know, better than most, the unfortunate consequences of dying intestate. And when you’re
Special and extraordinary expenses for children “My ex-wife said our daughter had been accepted to a prestigious, but expensive, dance camp. So I gave her $3000 as half of the tuition – but now I’m almost positive my daughter never actually went to the camp. What should I do?” Special and extraordinary expenses are governed
Fewer married couples, but more common-law ones Just came across this great infographic issued last fall by the Vanier Institute of the Family, based on recent census data. As a lawyer who practices family law, it was particularly interesting to me because while there’s been a decline in the percentage of married couples (from 93%
by Sarah G. Mizrahi, Associate How a child, and their parents, can keep gifted down-payments safe in a separation Let’s start by pointing out the obvious: New homebuyers are facing a very different kind of social and economic landscape when buying their home. The fact is, housing prices in many parts of Canada continue to
