Breaking up is never easy, especially when the relationship has come so far that a ring has been involved. In the moments of heartache and confusion that follow a breakup, it can be difficult to know what to do with the physical reminders of your relationship – particularly if it is an engagement or promise… Continue reading Who Gets the Ring in the Breakup?
Category: Family
Non-Court Options
Problem Solving: Out-of-Court Options Court is not the only way to solve problems in difficult family situations. Parents can save a ton of money and avoid a ton of stress by pursuing out-of-court options. Those that can make decisions without undue influence should consider these options before filing a court application: Informal Meetings Parents that… Continue reading Non-Court Options
Family Violence is Not Black and White
Abuse can happen in any relationship. In romantic relationships, the term Domestic Violence or Intimate Partner Violence are often used interchangeably. We use the term Family Violence because it extends to other non-romantic relationships like siblings or family members. What is Family Violence? Family violence is a complex social issue that takes on many forms.… Continue reading Family Violence is Not Black and White
Emergency Protection Orders
What is an Emergency Protection Order? An Emergency Protection Order (“EPO”) is a tool designed to help victims of family violence. By obtaining an EPO, the alleged abuser (the “Respondent”) is legally prevented from contacting the victim (the “Claimant”) and from being anywhere near the Claimant for a set period of time. An EPO can… Continue reading Emergency Protection Orders
I don’t want to share
“You can’t have your cake and eat it, too.” Sharing is an important skill that is required to function in society. If a child does not learn how to share, take turns or compromise, the child will struggle in social situations. The child will likely have very few, if any, friends. When disagreements arise, the… Continue reading I don’t want to share
Mistakes People Make When Hiring a Lawyer
These are the top mistakes people make when searching for a lawyer: Asking how long a lawyer has been a lawyer People often get caught up on the year the lawyer started practicing law. The length of time that has passed since the lawyer completed school does not mean the lawyer is experienced in the… Continue reading Mistakes People Make When Hiring a Lawyer
Drafting Parenting Orders – Christmas Edition
It is important to have a clearly worded court order specifying your regular parenting time and shared holidays. In high conflict situations, it is extremely important to use precise wording that will not leave any room for interpretation. A poorly worded order can lead to unnecessary conflict between parents. For Christmas, parents usually share the… Continue reading Drafting Parenting Orders – Christmas Edition
Collecting Information for a Family Law Matter
If you are planning to hire a lawyer for your family law matter, you should begin working on collecting supporting information as soon as possible. Depending on your situation, you should be prepared to provide the following background information and documents: By having the above information together without being prompted, the process of working with… Continue reading Collecting Information for a Family Law Matter
Common Mistakes by Self-Represented Parties
Not everyone can afford to hire a lawyer. Most people are not experienced in navigating the court system and many people make mistakes in the process. These are the most common mistakes people make when representing themselves in family law matters: Poorly Prepared Documents Court documents are often prepared incorrectly, have insufficient, outdated, or irrelevant… Continue reading Common Mistakes by Self-Represented Parties
Tips for Lower Legal Fees
To avoid a surprisingly high legal bill it is in your best interest to inquire about your new lawyers billing practices before you start working with them. Some lawyers charge for each and every email and others only charge for the emails they used to work on your file. Knowing how your lawyer bills will… Continue reading Tips for Lower Legal Fees