All Posts

What is a special and extraordinary expense?

In addition to monthly child support, a parent is also responsible for paying "special and extraordinary expenses" for their child. A big question in law is what is special and extraordinary? Knowing the answer could save time and money.

Kids

Video: My ex doesn't want to vaccinate our kids against COVID! What's up with that Alex?

Connect Family Law co-founder Simon Kent asks senior lawyer Alex Boland what can a parent do if their ex doesn't want to vaccinate the children in this latest instalment of What's up with that Alex?

Litigation

Commencing a Court Action by Filing Your Separation Agreement

if you have a written separation agreement which you wish to have enforced, varied, or set aside in whole or in part, and there is no existing action in your family matter, you may be able to start an action simply by filing a copy of the agreement.

Litigation

Seizing the Day: Judges taking control over a family law file

In complicated family law cases a judge may decide to seize themselves of the file, so the parties don't have to repeat their story to a new judge each time they go to court. While a good idea in principle, sometimes that doesn't work in practice.

Kids

January is International Child-Centred Divorce Awareness Month

More divorce filings happen in the month of January than any month of the year -- the result perhaps of people making a New Year's resolution to give themselves a fresh start.

Litigation

Need to hire an expert on your family matter? You may need to agree with your ex on who that expert will be

In a rare decision, the Supreme Court of Canada comments on child support issues and whether a parent can seek retroactive support even when the child is grown and supporting himself

Kids

What is Parenting Coordination and Could it Benefit my Family?

In some families, following separation, there are high levels of conflict with respect to parenting where parents can't agree what is good, and what isn't, for their children. Parenting coordination can help resolve some of those conflicts.

COVID-19

Travelling with children over Christmas during COVID-19: the likely view of the courts

Courts don't like to be called upon to decide parenting schedules over holidays and prefer parents to work things out. But if parents can't, here is a summary of cases that could help predict what a court is likely to say.

COVID-19

Co-parenting during COVID

In April 2020, Connect lawyer and mediator Rebecca Stanley teamed up with divorce coach and registered clinical counsellor, Shelley Behr, to offer a virtual seminar on Co-parenting During COVID-19 on Zoom, a very important topic during the holidays.

COVID-19

What if parents disagree whether their child should get vaccinated?

A couple of recent cases from Ontario are clear: COVID-19 is real and if one parent is listening to the medical health professionals and the other isn't, the one who is listening could get sole decision-making power when it comes to vaccinations.

Litigation

When a marriage ends, a hard-working spouse could end up paying spousal support indefinitely to her lazy ex

A hard-working spouse who has finally decided to give up on the marriage may be stuck with an indefinite bill to pay spousal support.

Collaborative Law

Lessons learned and shared about family law and about being a family lawyer

Talking with students about family law taught me a thing or two, and reminded me why I love what I do.

Separation

There are many ways to deal with the family home in separations

There are many options when it comes to dealing with the family home when couples separate. Connect Family Law lawyer and mediator Rebecca Stanley talks about four options.

Separation

You have decided to separate - now what?

Deciding to separate is tough. Here are some tips from Connect Family Law's co-founder Leisha Murphy on what to do when it happens, including getting a support team together and getting your self-help on.

Litigation

Calculating child support when the payor is paid through a business

Calculating child support should be easy. Take a spouse’s income, the number of children, and the Federal Child Support Guidelines produce a number. But when a spouse earns income through a company he or she controls, things get complicated.

Separation

Not living together? You still may be spouses

The Ontario Court of Appeal has held that couples who maintain their own residences may still be considered cohabitating and therefore spouses under the law. In other words, you don't have to actual live together to be cohabiting.

Separation

Six ways to help an elderly friend or relative leave an unhappy marriage

During COVID-19 we have learned that we can do a better job of caring for and protecting our elderly. From the conditions of some care facilities to devastating loneliness to situations of elder abuse hidden away, we can no longer turn a blind eye.

Litigation

The Supreme Court of Canada weighs in on retroactive child support for adult children

In a rare decision, the Supreme Court of Canada comments on child support issues and whether a parent can seek retroactive support even when the child is grown and supporting himself

Litigation

Bad behaviour: does it count for spousal support?

A father asked a court to let his 17-year-old daughter testify about her mother's bad behaviour in an attempt to lessen the amount of spousal support he had to pay.

Team

We're Hiring!

Are you ready for a change? Do you crave interesting, meaningful work done in a collaborative and forward-thinking environment? If so, Connect Family Law may be the place for you.

COVID-19

Back to school during COVID-19

Having your children return to school in September can be stressful enough without COVID-19. But what if and your ex can't agree on whether it is safe to go back?

Divorce

Changes to the Divorce Act Part 3: Family Violence, Dispute Resolution and Enforcing Obligations

Canada's Divorce Act is being substantially amended for the first time in more than 30 years. In part three of this three-part blog, Maninder Sandhu discusses changes relating to family violence, dispute resolution and enforcement of obligations.

COVID-19

International travel during COVID-19 not in the children's best interests

You may have thought taking your children back and forth across the border during COVID-19 would be obviously wrong. But one parent didn't think it was that obvious. The Court however, disagreed with him.

Marriage

Agreements in Family Law: An inexpensive way to get your say

Agreements are used in family law in a number of different ways and are essential and relatively inexpensive tools for resolving potential or ongoing disputes outside of the courtrooms.

Litigation

Fishing Expeditions Can be Costly

Judges frequently penalize litigants who fail to fully disclose their financial situation. Equally vexing is when a party demands unreasonable disclosure from his or ex, known as a "fishing expedition." One court decided the demands had gone too far.

COVID-19

An Update on Child Support in the time of COVID-19

COVID-19 has caused many people to lose their jobs but without a court order, or agreement, child support obligations remain unchanged despite the change in a person's income. Here's a summary of what courts have done so far on support applications.

Collaborative Law

Working with a family lawyer to write your own story

When a client facing separation and divorce meets with a family lawyer for the first time, the lawyer listens to their story. Then the lawyer helps the client write their own next chapter.

Divorce

Changes to the Divorce Act Part 2: The Best Interests of the Child

Canada's Divorce Act is being substantially amended for the first time in more than 30 years. In part two of this three-part blog, Maninder Sandhu discusses the law's focus on the best interests of the child.

Marriage

Video: Family Violence

Connect Family Law lawyer and mediator Rebecca Stanley discusses the broad definition of family violence, why it is relevant to parenting decisions and the criminal and non-criminal options you have if you face family violence.

Kids

Child Support: Is the financial situation of your new partner relevant?

When couples separate and re-couple with new partners, their financial situation is often largely tied to the financial situation of the new partner. But should that matter when it comes to paying child support?

COVID-19

Family Violence during COVID-19

COVID-19 has created some serious challenges and will continue to do so for some time. But one challenge that faces some is an increase in domestic violence.

COVID-19

Finding Peace in the Midst of Chaos

We have been living with the chaos and uncertainty of COVID-19 for a number of weeks now and it is evident that people are receiving mixed messages about their obligations for co-parenting and support, and other family law issues.

COVID-19

Guardianship Appointment During COVID-19

As parents, none of us like to think about what would happen if we became seriously ill or passed away. But during this COVID-19 crisis, these thoughts are not far away. Appointing a guardian may help ease some of the worry.

COVID-19

Supreme Court and Provincial Court Accommodations during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply affected the affairs of many individuals and organizations, including the BC Courts at both the Supreme Court and Provincial Court levels. Here's what the courts are doing.

COVID-19

What is urgent? A summary of cases so far

Courts remain open to hear urgent matters only and a number of judgments since courts closed illustrate the types of matters that the courts are willing to hear.

COVID-19

Another case on what is "urgent" in this COVID-19 world

Another recent Ontario court decision illustrates how urgent matters will be dealt with. In this case, a father took his children for spring break and didn't return them. The court agreed the matter was urgent, and held the hearing almost immediately

COVID-19

Denying Co-Parenting in Times of Social Distancing

One of the most asked questions we’re getting right now is related to parenting time and concerns over having the children move between households. Here are some answers.

COVID-19

What constitutes "urgent" in this COVID-19 world

Courts are hearing urgent matters only and an Ontario court has provided guidance on what will be considered urgent in family law matters. Raising COVID-19 as a reason to suspend co-parenting will not be enough.

COVID-19

Continuing with your separation in a COVID-19 world

For those who are in the middle of separation and divorce, this uncertain time due to COVID-19 may create even more anxiety about how the process can move forward and not leave you financially vulnerable. Here a some ideas on what you can do.

COVID-19

The courts are closed because of COVID-19: What happens to my family law case?

Courts in British Columbia have effectively closed, remaining open only to hear 'urgent business.' In this blog we look at what family law matters the courts are likely to consider urgent and what to do if you think you have an urgent matter.

COVID-19

Parenting Time and COVID-19

COVID-19 raises a number of questions regarding shared parenting, such as "should the children go between the two households?" Connect Family Law partner Leisha Murphy provides some answers.

COVID-19

Child Support and COVID-19

COVID-19 is causing many people to lose their jobs. So what happens to child support obligations? Generally they remain in place, but here are some things you should do if you are having difficulty paying.

Kids

Extraordinary expenses: what are they and who has to pay?

In addition to paying child support, a parent may be responsible for paying their share of what is called special or extraordinary expenses. And parents rarely agree as to what falls into that category. Here are some guidelines.

Kids

Video: Spanking: What Does Family Law Say About Physical Discipline?

Is it legal to spank or use physical discipline on your child? Here, Mahshid Hoseini discusses how the use of physical discipline can negatively impact your family law case.

Divorce

Changes to the Divorce Act Part 1: Changing terminology

Canada's Divorce Act is being substantially amended for the first time in more than 30 years. In this three-part blog, Maninder Sandhu discusses some of the major changes.

Kids

Court allows child to have hormone therapy despite objections of father

In a recent decision, the British Columbia Court of Appeal upheld a lower court ruling allowing a teenager to get hormone therapy against his father's wishes. The CA did not agree though that the father's treatment of the child was family violence.

Kids

Video: The Voices of Children: Should they get a say during the divorce proceedings?

Connect Family Law lawyer and mediator Rebecca Stanley talks about how to include children in the decision making when it comes to separation and divorce. Children should be given a voice, she says. But they shouldn't be making the choices.

Property

Discretionary trusts and family property: possibly an unpleasant surprise

A recent British Columbia Supreme Court case refused to grant an injunction to protect property that was subject to a trust, and potentially family property, that would be shared upon separation.

Mediation

Collaborative Mediation: A less expensive choice that may work for you and your ex

A cost-effective option for you and your spouse may be jointly retaining a mediator to work with the both of you to help resolve outstanding issues arising from your separation.

Kids

Video: What's up with that, Episode IX: Kids, divorce and cell phones

Connect Family Law co-founders Simon Kent and Leisha Murphy talk about what happens when your child comes to stay at your house and brings a cell phone with him so your ex-spouse can talk to him whenever he or she wants.

Marriage

New Year's Resolutions for healthier, happier relationships in 2020

As a family law lawyer, Mahshid Hoseini hears many stories of how relationships soured. Here are some of the recurring themes, and possible New Year's resolutions to make your relationships healthier in 2020

Property

Video: Who gets the ring if the engagement is called off?

Connect Family Law lawyer Mahshid Hoseini answers the question of what happens to the engagement ring if the wedding is called off.

Property

Part 2: Whose property is it anyway? Losing your exclusion.

When couples separate they have to determine what property will be divided between them and what property will remain with one spouse. In this blog lawyer Amalia Schön provides more guidelines to help ex-spouses make this determination.

Kids

Can I contract out of my child support obligation?

When children live largely with one parent, typically the non-custodial parent must pay the custodial parent child support.The objective is to ensure that children continue to benefit from the financial means of both parents. Is that negotiable?

Kids

Video: Should there be a presumption for 50-50 parenting post separation?

Connect Family Law lawyer Rebecca Stanley believes there should not be a presumption in favour of equally shared parenting. Connect Family Law partner Simon Kent believes there should be. Hear what they have to say about this controversial topic.

Mediation

Discover Your “Zone of Possible Agreement” and Be the Author of Your Own Future

The “zone of possible agreement” or ZOPA exists where there is overlap between what the parties want, and what they are willing to live with. Knowing your ZOPA can help you find that overlap and come to a resolution you design yourself.

Property

Video: Who gets to live in the family home ?

Connect Family lawyer Louise Lam navigates through the difficult question of who gets to live in the family home after parties separate. Suprisingly, courts won't force one party to move out unless it's impossible for the parties to live together.

Property

Part 1: Whose property is it anyway?

When couples separate they have to determine what property will be divided between them and what property will remain with one spouse. Lawyer Amalia Schön provides some basic principles to consider when making this determination.

Kids

Video: What’s Up With That? Episode VIII: Who Pays for University?

Episode VIII of “What’s Up With That?” features guest star Leisha Murphy. In this episode, Leisha and Simon discuss whether a parent has to pay for their child's university even if the child wants to go to an expensive Ivy League school.

Divorce

Video: Dealing with a difficult co-parent

Connect Family Law's Jessica England gives four tips on how best to deal with your ex, including how to send an email that provides the information you want to share and avoids the digs you are dying to make.

Separation

Uncoupling

Separation, while painful, does not need to be destructive. I often tell clients that the process they choose for separation is more important than the outcome because the process will often determine the outcome.

Divorce

Video: Pets and Divorce

What happens to the family pet when spouses divorce? Lawyers Rebecca and Mahshid talk pet custody in our latest video.

Kids

Back to School Stress

The summer days of leisure, camps and long, lazy afternoons are over. Time to head back to school, re-start those routines and schedule activities on the family calendar.

Kids

Video: Back-to-School Blues with Leisha and Alex

Co-parenting and back-to-school expenses: who pays for what? Find out in our latest video featuring lawyers Leisha Murphy and Alex Boland.

Separation

Video: How can I tell if my agreement is unfair?

It can be difficult for a non-lawyer to figure out whether a separation agreement is fair. In our latest video, lawyer Mahshid Hoseini reviews some “red flags” of an unfair agreement.

Collaborative Law

Video: Collaborative Law: Pros and Pitfalls

What exactly is a collaborative divorce and is it right for you? Lawyers Leisha Murphy and Rebecca Stanley share some pros and cons of the process in the following video.

Kids

Video: What’s Up With That? Episode VII: Do Kids Have a Say about Parenting Schedules?

The wait is over. Episode VII of “What’s Up With That?” is now LIVE! Watch as Simon and Alex discuss whether children have a say about parenting schedules.

Money

Video: Do I have to Split my Personal Investments with my Ex?

Ever wondered what happens to your personal RRSPs and pensions when you split from your spouse? You’re not alone. In this week’s video, lawyer Mahshid Hoseini answers this frequently asked question.

Kids

Video: Parallel Parenting Plans

What is parallel parenting? And is it a possible solution to conflict during a divorce? Find out in our latest video featuring lawyer Jessica England.

Money

Video: What’s Up With That? Episode VI: Child Support for Your 30-Year-Old

Child support for your 30-year old. Really? Sometimes. Watch Episode VI of “What’s Up With That?” with lawyers Alex Boland and Simon Kent and find out why.

Money

Video: Can My Ex Claim My Inheritance?

Does your ex have any rights to your inheritance when you split? In this week’s video, lawyers Louise Lam and Kaity Cooper explain how an inheritance is dealt with during a divorce.

Mediation

Video: Jointly Retaining a Mediator

Did you know that you and your ex can hire a mediator together to help with your family law matter?

Kids

Video: What's Up With That, Episode V: Mo' Money, Mo' Child Support

In their latest installment of “What’s Up With That?”, Alex and Simon discuss whether there’s a limit to how much child support you have to pay.

Kids

Video: What if my ex changes his or her religion?

What if your ex changes his/her religion after you separate? Lawyer and mediator Rebecca Stanley explores the implications for you and your family in this week’s video.

Kids

Video: Vaccination

What if your ex doesn't want your children to be vaccinated? Lawyers Jessica England and Mahshid Hoseini tackle this timely topic in this week's video.

Money

Things My Ex Told Me #1: Child Support

One phrase I hear regularly from clients is “My ex told me that…”. So, I thought it might be helpful to start blogging about some of the “ex misconceptions” that are circulating out there. In my first post, I tackle the topic of child support.

Marriage

Re-partnering and Marriage Agreements

It’s true that a major part of our work at Connect involves helping people who are at the end of a relationship. However, there’s more to family law than separation and divorce.

Kids

Video: Travelling with Kids Post-Separation

What is the Hague Convention and how does it affect you if you plan to travel with your kids post-separation? Lawyers Louise Lam and Mahshid Hoseini cover the basics in this week’s video.

Divorce

Video: Elderly Parents' Separation and Divorce

As an adult child of separation and divorce, it’s natural to want to help your parents through the process. In our latest video, lawyer and mediator Rebecca Stanley offers a few things you can do to provide support.

Money

What's Up With That? Episode IV: Risky Business

Alex Boland and Simon Kent are back at it with another installment of “What’s Up With That?”. In Episode IV, Alex and Simon discuss how to calculate child support if you’re a business owner. Take a look!

Separation

Think Before You Act

For someone who is experiencing separation or divorce, it can be difficult to see how the decisions you make now might affect you later on. With that in mind, Mahshid Hoseini shares some common family law situations and their possible consequences.

Collaborative Law

Leisha Presents at Grey Divorce Conference (May 2019)

Join conference presenter Leisha May 24, 2019 at the Vancouver Rowing Club in Vancouver to learn about the unique needs and challenges of mature families in the context of re-partnering and marriage agreements.

Separation

How Long Should We Stay Separated?

Deciding how long your separation should last isn’t an easy task. In this post, Mahshid reviews the possible legal implications of extending your separation.

Property

The Family Home: Should You Delay Selling?

With the recent slowdown in Vancouver’s real estate market, many separating spouses are wanting to delay selling the family home. Leisha reviews the key things to consider if a delayed sale seems to makes sense for your family.

Money

Deducting Legal Fees

As we head into tax season, we thought it was a good time to share some information about when legal fees may be tax deductible.

Mediation

Attending Mediation with Lawyers Present

Mediation is an option that many separating couples are choosing these days. If you have agreed to mediate with lawyers present or have been served with a Notice to Mediate, here are some important things to know.

Mediation

The Benefits of Mediation

These days, more and more separating couples are realizing that they have options. Options that don’t involve wasting tens of thousands of dollars and hundreds of stressful hours going through the court process when they separate.

Money

Spousal Support Reviews

Whether a spousal support “review” is warranted depends on the nature of the existing agreement or court order dealing with spousal support.

Kids

Joint, Shared, Split – What’s the Difference?

Family law in Canada uses a number of different terms to describe ex-spouses’ parenting arrangements. What does it all mean? Kaity Cooper explains various types of custody and parenting and whether there is any real difference between them.

Kids

Family Violence: Getting Help

Family violence can occur in any family, regardless of social standing, economic level, race or creed. During the separation process, episodes of family violence can increase or even occur for the first time.

Property

Do Stepparents Have to Pay Child Support?

As a general rule, each biological parent of a child has a primary responsibility to provide support for the child. However, even if you are a stepparent, you may have an obligation to pay child support if you are separating from your spouse.

Property

Recap: Realtor Lunch and Learn 2018

Realtors and mortgage brokers often face family law-related issues in their business dealings. Connect recently hosted a lunch and learn for real estate professionals to debunk three common separation and divorce myths.

Divorce

Back to Work, Post-Divorce

The prospect of returning to work after being out of the paid workforce can be daunting at the best of times. Making this leap on the heels of separation or divorce can seem downright overwhelming, if not paralyzing.

Money

Child Support When Parenting is Shared: Who Pays What?

Shared parenting by separated spouses is becoming more and more common. Despite this increased prevalence, many ex-spouses are still confused about their child support obligations when parenting is shared.

Kids

The Voices of Children

Sometimes, in an effort to spare their children from the stress of separation, parents may inadvertently keep them from having a voice in the process.

Kids

Pot and Parenting

Legal marijuana has the potential to impact most areas of a family law case, but the shadow of the pot leaf will lie most heavily on cases involving children.

Money

Imputing Income to the Payor Spouse

The first step in calculating how much child or spousal support one ex-spouse must pay the other is to determine the paying spouse’s income. The starting point for this is the amount reported on line 150 of the payor’s most recent tax return.

Marriage

Moving In Together? Consider a Cohab

With the cost of living constantly on the rise (particularly in BC’s Lower Mainland), more couples are moving in together, perhaps sooner than they anticipated, as a way to save money. If you’re in this position, consider a cohabitation agreement.

Team

Recap: #Retreat2018

Summer is (almost) here, so it must be time for the Second Annual Kent/Connect Team (+ Family and Pets) Retreat!

Collaborative Law

Modernizing the Divorce Act

Leisha weighs in on proposed changes to the Divorce Act, which will bring federal law in line with provincial legislation.

BLOG

All Posts

What is a special and extraordinary expense?

Video: My ex doesn't want to vaccinate our kids against COVID! What's up with that Alex?

Commencing a Court Action by Filing Your Separation Agreement

Seizing the Day: Judges taking control over a family law file

January is International Child-Centred Divorce Awareness Month

Need to hire an expert on your family matter? You may need to agree with your ex on who that expert will be

What is Parenting Coordination and Could it Benefit my Family?

Travelling with children over Christmas during COVID-19: the likely view of the courts

Co-parenting during COVID

What if parents disagree whether their child should get vaccinated?

When a marriage ends, a hard-working spouse could end up paying spousal support indefinitely to her lazy ex

Lessons learned and shared about family law and about being a family lawyer

There are many ways to deal with the family home in separations

You have decided to separate - now what?

Calculating child support when the payor is paid through a business

Not living together? You still may be spouses

Six ways to help an elderly friend or relative leave an unhappy marriage

The Supreme Court of Canada weighs in on retroactive child support for adult children

Bad behaviour: does it count for spousal support?

We're Hiring!

Back to school during COVID-19

Changes to the Divorce Act Part 3: Family Violence, Dispute Resolution and Enforcing Obligations

International travel during COVID-19 not in the children's best interests

Agreements in Family Law: An inexpensive way to get your say

Fishing Expeditions Can be Costly

An Update on Child Support in the time of COVID-19

Working with a family lawyer to write your own story

Changes to the Divorce Act Part 2: The Best Interests of the Child

Video: Family Violence

Child Support: Is the financial situation of your new partner relevant?

Family Violence during COVID-19

Finding Peace in the Midst of Chaos

Guardianship Appointment During COVID-19

Supreme Court and Provincial Court Accommodations during COVID-19

What is urgent? A summary of cases so far

Another case on what is "urgent" in this COVID-19 world

Denying Co-Parenting in Times of Social Distancing

What constitutes "urgent" in this COVID-19 world

Continuing with your separation in a COVID-19 world

The courts are closed because of COVID-19: What happens to my family law case?

Parenting Time and COVID-19

Child Support and COVID-19

Extraordinary expenses: what are they and who has to pay?

Video: Spanking: What Does Family Law Say About Physical Discipline?

Changes to the Divorce Act Part 1: Changing terminology

Court allows child to have hormone therapy despite objections of father

Video: The Voices of Children: Should they get a say during the divorce proceedings?

Discretionary trusts and family property: possibly an unpleasant surprise

Collaborative Mediation: A less expensive choice that may work for you and your ex

Video: What's up with that, Episode IX: Kids, divorce and cell phones

New Year's Resolutions for healthier, happier relationships in 2020

Video: Who gets the ring if the engagement is called off?

Part 2: Whose property is it anyway? Losing your exclusion.

Can I contract out of my child support obligation?

Video: Should there be a presumption for 50-50 parenting post separation?

Discover Your “Zone of Possible Agreement” and Be the Author of Your Own Future

Video: Who gets to live in the family home ?

Part 1: Whose property is it anyway?

Video: What’s Up With That? Episode VIII: Who Pays for University?

Video: Dealing with a difficult co-parent

Uncoupling

Video: Pets and Divorce

Back to School Stress

Video: Back-to-School Blues with Leisha and Alex

Video: How can I tell if my agreement is unfair?

Video: Collaborative Law: Pros and Pitfalls

Video: What’s Up With That? Episode VII: Do Kids Have a Say about Parenting Schedules?

Video: Do I have to Split my Personal Investments with my Ex?

Video: Parallel Parenting Plans

Video: What’s Up With That? Episode VI: Child Support for Your 30-Year-Old

Video: Can My Ex Claim My Inheritance?

Video: Jointly Retaining a Mediator

Video: What's Up With That, Episode V: Mo' Money, Mo' Child Support

Video: What if my ex changes his or her religion?

Video: Vaccination

Things My Ex Told Me #1: Child Support

Re-partnering and Marriage Agreements

Video: Travelling with Kids Post-Separation