Collaborative Law Resources - Whitney Smith Family Law

Changes needed for mandatory domestic violence screening by family lawyers

https://whitneysmithfamilylaw.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/nadine-shaabana-DRzYMtae-vA-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1080 720 smithfamilylaw_m513i0 smithfamilylaw_m513i0 https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6e219b6e7069367cc755742c7992dad2?s=96&d=mm&r=g October 13, 2023 October 13, 2023

As family lawyers, reports of family violence by clients are a common occurrence. How we respond to those reports can directly impact our clients’ safety and even survival. As family lawyers, reports of family violence by clients are a common occurrence. How we respond to those reports can directly impact our clients’ safety and even…

Collaborative Divorce vs. Litigation Divorce

https://whitneysmithfamilylaw.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/pexels-shvets-production-7176317-1536x1024.jpg 1080 720 smithfamilylaw_m513i0 smithfamilylaw_m513i0 https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6e219b6e7069367cc755742c7992dad2?s=96&d=mm&r=g October 3, 2023 October 24, 2023

Collaborative Practice is a new way for you to resolve disputes respectfully—without going to court—while working with trained professionals who are important to all areas of your life. The term incorporates all of the models developed since IACP’s Minnesota lawyer Stu Webb created Collaborative Law ideas in the 1980s. The heart of Collaborative Practice is…

In Loco Parentis: Child Support Obligations for Step-Parents

https://whitneysmithfamilylaw.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/marisa-howenstine-Cq9slNxV8YU-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1080 720 smithfamilylaw_m513i0 smithfamilylaw_m513i0 https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6e219b6e7069367cc755742c7992dad2?s=96&d=mm&r=g July 6, 2017 October 2, 2023

Blended families are becoming the norm. Did you know that as a step-parent you could be required to support your step-children in the event of separation? Because child support is viewed as the right of the child, the court has broad jurisdiction to impose a support obligation on step-parents who stand “in loco parentis”, which is…

The Million Dollar Question: Do Common Law and Married Couples Have the Same Rights?

https://whitneysmithfamilylaw.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/pexels-cottonbro-studio-4569304-1536x1024.jpg 1080 720 smithfamilylaw_m513i0 smithfamilylaw_m513i0 https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6e219b6e7069367cc755742c7992dad2?s=96&d=mm&r=g June 26, 2017 October 24, 2023

Clients are often surprised to hear that common law and married spouses do not have the same rights and obligations on relationship breakdown. Although both married and unmarried spouses can make a claim for spousal support, this is not the case with respect to property division. Under the Ontario Family Law Act, only married spouses…