Blog Posts
The Alienation Trap: Parenting with an Abusive Ex
Do I have to force my kids to see the other parent? A difficult issue for some separated parents is how to manage parenting time when you have concerns about the other parent’s ability to care for the child. The Ontario Courts have been quite strong about sending the message that children deserve a relationship with both parents and that it is a parent’s responsibility to “be positive” about promoting the relationship, despite concerns
Back To School Shopping for Separated Parents
Back to School Well, it’s almost the time to start shopping for back to school supplies and for separated parents, this can sometimes be a point of contention. If your children are residing equally with both parents, and child support is being paid on an offset basis (meaning each parent is paying the other parent child support in accordance with their income, such that the higher income parent is paying the difference), day to day
Financing your Children’s Future
This is an important week for all those Ontario students in Grade 12 – the week of final exams and high school graduations. For parents, it can be quite a surprise to realize your child is an almost fully formed adult who is going to be moving out in a few months. This can be an even more difficult emotional change for separated parents who often have a closer and more interdependent relationship with their
Summer Dreams for Separated Families
Summer holidays are approaching and if you are co-parenting it’s important to pay attention to the details of your holiday schedule to avoid conflict. There is nothing worse for a child of separated parents to dread holidays and special events because their parents have not managed the details. First, pick your holiday times in accordance with the parenting plan set out in your court order or Separation Agreement. Once your holiday dates are chosen, the
Income Tax Transparency
It is that time of the year again for separated and divorced parents in Ontario to exchange income tax information, to ensure all parties are paying and receiving what was agreed upon. Exchanging income tax information annually is crucial for parents to ensure fair and accurate financial arrangements post-separation or divorce. Sharing this data allows both parties to verify income levels, ensuring child support payments are appropriately calculated based on current financial circumstances. The amount
The Awfully Terrible 1st VDAY After a Separation or Divorce
Whenever we suffer a loss, be it a death of a friend or relative, or a job you enjoyed, or a partner, anniversaries and holidays can be difficult, especially the first ones since the change took place. It is not easy working through this emotional process. I would know, as I have been there myself. In my 15 years of practicing family law, there is no doubt that Valentine’s Day is one of the most
The Annual Uptick in New Year’s Consultations
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
The Business Divorce
Many couples own and operate a business together. This can be sticky when they decides to separate or divorce. At the beginning, there are more questions than answers; “Who keeps the business?” “Do I have to buy out my soon-to-be former partner?” “Do things stay the same?” “My partner said they invested more money into it, therefor it belongs to them, even though I put more work hours into it,” plus much more. So, what
The Back-to-School Expense Budget
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Back to school! Which means it is time for the kids to get some back-to-school supplies. If you are a parent of school age children, you know the drill of making sure the backpack, lunchbox, art supplies, new shoes and uniforms or new clothes are all ready for the first day of school. These days, your child may need some new tech for class as well. If
The Dreaded Financial Disclosure
Unfortunately, there is no way around financial disclosures in a divorce or separation. In fact, it is the key to dividing assets. It is not fun and makes people feel vulnerable and sometimes embarrassed, as this is typically a private matter…unless you’re going through a divorce or separation. It is kind of like going to the dentist; nobody likes going, but it must be done. Other than if children are involved, I would say this
Have Cake, For Goodness Sake!
Divorce and separation rank up pretty high on the “worst things in life” metre. At times, the stress is overwhelming and seemingly unbearable and it is just an all around crummy time in your life. I am a divorcee and have firsthand experience of the burden this process carries into life. I am also a divorce lawyer with more than 15 years of experience and have yet to meet a someone who is genuinely happy
The Coffee Barrier
There is something brewing at Berry Family Law! One of the steadfast rules at our firm is that normal office coffee is prohibited, because we have all kinds of delicious coffee on offer and insist you enjoy it with us. We partnered with the Hamilton-based Meza Café, which supplies our office with café products that deliver an amazing European experience! Some tasty options include vanilla and caramel coffees, hazelnut cappuccinos, flat white lattes and caffeine-loaded
Making (and sticking to!) a New Schedule
Hoo-boy, the schedule, eh? This is one of the trickiest aspects for those going through a separation or divorce. Making a schedule is tough enough, but adhering to one is just a bridge too far for some people. Sometimes you can have a schedule on paper but not agree what it means in real life, and that is where the rubber hit the road. Separation or divorce can be hard on children and
Did you know? We are also Notary Publics!
Friends, When navigating a divorce, Any divorce, there is a 100 per cent certainty that at some point you will require a notary public to sign official government and contractual documents. You do not necessarily need to be going through a divorce to require a notarized document – if you apply for a pension, government benefits or are buying a property, you may require a certified copy of an official document, which I would be
Berry Law Overview
Hello! Welcome to Berry Family Law. If you are here, it probably means that you have questions andare going through a difficult time.It’s OK. My name is Susan Berry and I have been practicing family law in Ontario for more than 15years. I am also divorced and a mother to two teenagers (Ack!). I thought I knew what it took toget through a divorce, but when I experienced it in my own life, I realized
Going To Court
Hi again, My client experience has taught me that most people want to avoid hiring a family lawyer, never mind going to court (sometimes at great personal cost). Avoiding family court is always ideal, but there are times when you will have to go to court to achieve a desirable outcome. It is always preferable to reach a resolution to parenting, support and property issues through negotiation or mediation and then put those agreements into