The Three Most Important Words

Hurricane seen from space

submitted by Gerry Bock Nasty Hurricane Andrew In August 1992, Hurricane Andrew went bananas. Like a drunk on too many Tequilas, he tore into South Florida with wind gusts of 175mph, redrawing the landscape. Approximately 600,000 homes and businesses bore the brunt of his menacing and destructive actions. By the time Andrew left, he had run up a tab of … Read More

Defeating Fraud

Scam Alert lettering on black background

submitted by Jas K. Salh IT’S A HEADLINE THAT APPEARS all too often. Fraudsters posing as agents from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) call innocent Canadians saying they owe back taxes. The call sometimes includes a threat of arrest if they don’t pay up. In 2015, 763 Canadians reported being defrauded by this scam, with losses totalling $2.5 million. These … Read More

Why Becoming Upset about Adversity is a Waste of Time

Person rock climbing

submitted by Gerry Bock Should you walk away when facing the impossible, or test yourself against the odds? Imagine you are living 3,000 years ago. Your job is to bring food to the battle front. You arrive to find the army quaking with fear, deadlocked in a standoff, afraid of being badly beaten by the opposition. The enemy is daring … Read More

WHAT CAN DIVORCING SPOUSES LEARN FROM A PHILOSOPHER OF WAR AND A PHILOSOPHER OF SONG?

submitted by Art Kewin Uncoupling is a consequence of spousal conflict that generates even more conflict. Typically, conflicts about kids, money, property, debts, cash flow, taxation and financial security now and in retirement. How spouses deal with their conflicting interests and settlement goals will determine their chances – and costs – of successfully resolving their conflicts. Here is instructive wisdom … Read More

Can Mediation or Collaborative Law Ever Be A Waste Of Time, Energy and Money?

Handshake

submitted by Art Kewin Many people wisely choose to avoid the hostility, delay, expense and uncertainty of litigation. They may also want more influence on the negotiating process itself and on the outcomes. Therefore, they hire a mediator or collaborative lawyers. However, sometimes that “smart money” choice leads to an astonishing waste of time, energy and money. How can that … Read More

Alcohol as a means of coping

Woman sitting at the end of a dock

submitted by Grace Morin / Morin Law Corporation One of the common ways that people cope with the stress of separation is the use of alcohol. This can be a quick fix to sad feelings, anxiety, depression . . . even helps after a tough day at work. However, is it hurting more than it is helping? Or is it … Read More

Hard on Everyone

Couple sitting apart on couch

submitted by Grace Morin / Morin Law Corporation Going through a separation or divorce is hard; hard on everyone. What is important to keep in mind as you manage through the process is that anxiety is a common reaction and experience for many. See the blogpost below for help with recognizing and dealing with anxiety. There is also a great … Read More

COST OF DOING BUSINESS

Executive male reading papers on couch

provided by Lisa Dewar As in any workplace, revenue is required to pay the workers. Lawyers often charge for their work on an hourly basis, so it may appear that they are extremely well -paid. However, in a law practice the hourly rate of the lawyer relates directly to the cost of doing business (known as overhead). Overhead costs include … Read More

ILA for UNFAIR AGREEMENTS

Person signing documentation

provided by Lisa Dewar When I am asked to give independent legal advice (ILA) regarding a Separation Agreement prepared by someone else, I interview the person seeking ILA so I am sufficiently aware of the facts to consider whether the proposed Agreement is fair or not. If the terms seem reasonably fair, I can sign the ILA certificate in good … Read More

What will the Children Remember?

Boy wearing orange shirt blowing on dandelion

provided by Patricia Lalonde and Gerry Bock Long after the ink dries on the legal papers, and you have all moved on with your adult lives, what will the children do with the memories (good and not so great), that inevitably come out of conflict with the two most important people in their lives? How will the children close the … Read More