After practicing family law for more than 15 years, I learned that many people’s new year’s resolutions revolve around getting out of a marriage or partnership. Actually, the uptick happens after Valentine’s Day. This is when people decide to divorce after a not-so-festive-holiday season and try to work it out themselves, but usually by Valentine’s Day, they realize they need a lawyer.
I completely understand why this happens; starting fresh/anew is top of mind for most people and the new year serves as a wake-up call after the blur of the holiday season has finished. Millions of people around the world ask themselves on January 1st “what do I want to accomplish this year?”
For many, that means getting a separation or divorce. Which is a good and bad thing; bad because a relationship ending is never easy, but good in the sense that you can be free from the unhappiness that somehow crept into the relationship and begin taking the steps towards a new stage in life.
It is good to know what your options are and what to expect if you do decide to go down the divorce or separation road. It is always best to have a plan. Getting separated is overwhelming and scary and it is good to talk things through before making any final decisions.
This is why a good first step is booking a consultation. It does not bind you to anything, but it does help you get a clear picture of your situation and what you can expect if you decide to proceed with your divorce or separation. It is important to know and understand what your rights and responsibility under the law are, and what your options are regarding how to move forward before making such an important decision. Understanding how a separation will impact your life, as well as your partner’s, or spouse’s, as well as that of your child or children, will help you avoid common mistakes and make the best decisions possible.
Each person and their divorce or separation are unique, so what has worked for others, may not necessarily work for you. Factors including your property, children, employment, savings, finances and debts must be considered before any clear path can be seen. Even if you are not sure as to what you want to, or plan to, do, coming in for a consultation is a good first step for you to be able to see the future if you decide to move forward on your own.
Many of the consultations I have do not proceed any further than that. People unfamiliar with the Ontario family law terrain are trying to determine the position they are in and what their options are if they decide to stay or proceed with a divorce or separation. What I can tell you is that most consults end with the person feeling better and more confident about how to move forward, because they learn things they were not aware of prior to coming to see me.
Most important, this is a “Judgement-free” space. No matter what your situation or problem, I promise this is a safe space to talk through whatever is happening or problems you are facing. Together, we will come up with some ideas to make your life easier and better in 2024.
