From a parent’s perspective: the goal is to keep the children away from their adult business. Private conversations. Absences by one or both parents at meal times. Hushed voices. From the children’s perspective: the emotional huddles, the atypical outbursts and the squabbling over simple scheduling matters spell out something is amiss and very wrong. The
Valuations are an important part of resolving property and support issues in a family law matter. Assets subject to being valued include the matrimonial homes, family businesses, hobby farms, and securities held in investment portfolios. An income stream from investments, rental properties, and family business are also common sources from which support obligations are paid.
The spouses reflect on the positive reasons when they first came together. The pause brings calm. Calm brings meaningful discussion. Mindfully remove the animosity of the moment and understand the issue under scrutiny. Stating the problem in isolation brings clarity to then be able to resolve it. Appreciate that at all times the children know
Separation ? Loss, pain, fear, expensive, loss of identity, freedom? Unable to breathe, loss of benefits, unanticipated, amicable resolution? About Children? Love, anguish, cherish, mischievous, all mine, schedules and more schedules! Disciplined, protect- them- for- the- rest- of -their -lives, comfort, chores, fear? Inexperienced, distant, loud, supporting, trusting? Your Home? My neighbourhood, expensive, safe, family
A recent cluster of new clients aren’t simply seeking information. They’re designing their new future, one where their interests dominate. They are selecting a hipper part of town away from the suburbs for their new downsized home. They are arranging shopping trips for the big-ticket items they have always coveted. And, in their minds, they’re
Today’s family law negotiations are all about the numbers. The value of assets, the amount of support, and the cost of living. The numbers tell who will receive how much, directs us to consider tax considerations, and the timing of the payments. And that’s exactly what you want to know when negotiating a marriage contract,
The room went silent. Anxiety slowly built. No, more accurately, it mushroomed to fill all the crevices and corners of the small room. The client carefully announced that one of their goals to achieve in the collaborative approach was to apologize for an action they had taken some time ago. The apology was ready to
Top 10 Characteristics of a Collaborative Family Law Lawyer Competence: Your lawyer of choice sufficiently skilled, intelligent, and flush with analytical skills, she is also cognizant of her weaknesses. She knows when to turn to a trusted colleague practicing in a complementary field of law to offer assistance. Your lawyer will be enrolled in professional
The online kits available to write your separation agreement look quite appealing. It’s a quick and inexpensive. You can select whatever clauses catch your eye. Leave behind the small print and whatever seems overly complicated. Agree, print and sign. Not so fast. The headaches you’ll face by drafting such an important personal document on your
Whether your children are newborns or young adults, they have an undisputed legal right to be nurtured, fed, protected, appropriately disciplined, and guided through life’s joys and difficulties. Parents and caregivers are obliged to act in each child’s best interests. For the parents and partners acting as a parent to a child in a new
What about the Adult Children when the Parents divorce? Left Behind or Fully Involved? Young adults often are excluded from conversation or ignored as the parents move from a partnership to separate independent households. Whether the changes the family undergoes, as a private family matter or played out publicly, whether seemingly without a
An empty nest peaceful for the past six years. Looking down the road towards a well-deserved retirement in the fall. The phone call that changed it all. The middle son lost his job and is asking to come back home to live with his parents. My client is asking what will his financial obligations will
