Is mediation the best path through divorce? And when is it simply not the right fit?

In this episode of Divorce Explained, Leanne and Steve take an honest, unscripted look at one of the most effective and often misunderstood tools in family law. Drawing on their experience as family lawyers, with Steve also sharing his perspective as a mediator, they explore what mediation really is, how it works and why it can help separating couples reach practical and lasting solutions.

Steve also opens up about his own experience as a mediation client during his divorce, sharing how a failed mediation shaped the way he now prepares and supports clients through the process.

Together, they discuss:

• What mediation is (and what it isn't)

• The benefits of mediation compared to litigation

• Why preparation and the right mindset are critical to success

• The role of lawyers and mediators in reaching meaningful agreements

• Common reasons mediation fails

• Whether mediation is appropriate in high-conflict relationships and cases involving intimate partner violence

• How mediation can preserve co-parenting relationships and reduce the emotional and financial costs of separation

Whether you're considering mediation, currently navigating a separation or simply want to better understand your options, this episode offers practical insights into how the process works and how choosing the right approach can make all the difference.

Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about resolving conflict with clarity, dignity and a focus on building a better path forward.

What would happen if Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce walked into an Ontario family lawyer's office to draft a prenup?

In this episode of the Divorce Explained Podcast, Steve Benmor and Leanne Townsend use one of the world's most talked-about celebrity couples to explore how marriage contracts (commonly called prenups) work under Ontario law. They discuss asset protection, spousal support, privacy and confidentiality clauses, future wealth, intellectual property, and why a well-drafted agreement is about far more than planning for divorce.

Whether you're getting married, moving in together, or simply curious about family law, this episode offers practical insights into why these conversations can strengthen a relationship and provide clarity for the future.

In this episode, family lawyers Leanne Townsend and Steve Benmor explore one of the most difficult realities in family law: allegations of coercive control and intimate partner violence involving respected professionals, community leaders, and other high-profile individuals.

Following their discussion of the landmark Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia decision by the Supreme Court of Canada, they respond to a listener's powerful question:

How can someone seek justice when no one believes the abuse because the abuser has an impeccable public reputation?

The conversation examines:

• Why respected and successful individuals can still be abusive behind closed doors
• The challenges survivors face when reporting coercive control and intimate partner violence
• How power, wealth, and public image can influence family law proceedings
• The role of evidence in cases that often become "one person's word against another"
• Practical strategies for safely documenting abuse and building a case
• Why speaking to a lawyer, therapist, or trusted professional is often the first step, not necessarily going public
• How landmark cases like Ahluwalia are changing the legal landscape in Canada

This discussion also touches on broader public examples that demonstrate how reputation and accountability can diverge, while emphasizing the importance of evidence, legal strategy, and informed decision-making.

If you or someone you know is experiencing coercive control or intimate partner violence, remember that support is available. Every situation is unique, and obtaining professional legal and emotional support can help you understand your options.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This discussion is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different. If you require legal advice, consult a family lawyer.

If you found this conversation valuable, please Like, Subscribe, and Share to help raise awareness about coercive control and family law issues.

#FamilyLaw #coercivecontrol  #IntimatePartnerViolence #DomesticAbuse #Divorce #OntarioFamilyLaw #SupremeCourtOfCanada #Ahluwalia #FamilyCourt #LegalEducation #SteveBenmor #LeanneTownsend

In this episode of Divorce Explained, Steve Benmor and Leanne Townsend tackle a topic that is rarely discussed but affects millions of families: the connection between perimenopause and divorce.

Perimenopause is a natural stage of life that impacts nearly every woman, yet many couples enter this chapter with little understanding of the physical, emotional, and relational changes it can bring. From mood changes and insomnia to shifts in intimacy and communication, these symptoms can place significant strain on marriages when they are misunderstood or left unaddressed.

Steve and Leanne explore why greater awareness, education, and support are needed—not only for women, but also for their partners, families, medical professionals, and even family lawyers. They discuss how a lack of understanding can lead couples to misinterpret symptoms as relationship problems, and how better communication and resources may help some couples navigate this transition without unnecessary conflict.

If you're experiencing perimenopause, supporting someone who is, or simply want to better understand this important life stage, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

New Podcast Episode: Supreme Court of Canada Creates the New Tort of Intimate Partner Violence

A landmark decision from the Supreme Court of Canada is set to change family law across the country.

In this episode, Steve Benmor and Leanne Townsend unpack the groundbreaking decision in Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia, where Canada's highest court officially recognized the new tort of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV).

The decision acknowledges that coercive control, emotional abuse, isolation, and psychological domination can cause profound harm deserving of legal compensation, even when traditional tort claims may not fully capture the reality of the abuse.

In this discussion, we explore:

• What the Supreme Court decided and why it matters
• The difference between family violence and the new tort of IPV
• How coercive control is now recognized in Canadian law
• What compensation may be available to survivors
• The impact this decision will have on family law litigation and settlement negotiations
• The practical challenges survivors may face in pursuing these claims
• What lawyers, mediators, and separating spouses need to know moving forward

Whether you are a family law professional, mediator, survivor, or someone interested in the evolution of Canadian law, this is an important conversation about one of the most significant family law decisions in recent years.

Listen now and join the discussion.

#FamilyLaw #SupremeCourtOfCanada #IntimatePartnerViolence #IPV #Ahluwalia #CanadianLaw #FamilyViolence #CoerciveControl #DivorceLaw #FamilyCourt #LegalPodcast #LawPodcast #FamilyLawyer #Mediation #AlternativeDisputeResolution

Divorce doesn’t have to destroy your financial future.

In this episode of Divorce Explained, Leanne Townsend and Steve Benmor are joined by financial advisor Brett Bernstein, CEO of XML Financial Group, to break down the most common (and costly) financial mistakes people make during divorce settlements.

With over 20 years of experience, Brett explains why divorce should be treated like a business transaction, how emotions can drain your wealth faster than the market, and why the first offer is often the best offer. This conversation is a must-watch for anyone navigating divorce, supporting someone who is, or working professionally in the family law space.

🏠 Divorce + the family home can be a financial minefield.

In this episode of Divorce Explained, we’re joined by Kelly Lise Murray, J.D., Harvard-educated attorney, legal scholar, and founder of DivorceThisHouse.com, to unpack the real estate and mortgage pitfalls divorcing spouses need to avoid.

From confusing the deed vs. the mortgage, to the danger of “the twelfth of never” (no deadlines, no enforcement), Kelly Lise explains how people make permanent, costly mistakes with their homes during divorce, often without realizing it.

💡 Key takeaway: the house is one of the most emotionally charged and financially dangerous assets in a divorce. Whether you’re selling or one spouse wants to keep it, due diligence, deadlines, and the right professional team are essential.

If you’re navigating divorce, or advising clients who are, this conversation is a must-listen.

Why do divorcing spouses spend so much money fighting over money and is it really about the money?

In this episode of Divorce Explained, we’re joined by Patrick Kilbane, attorney, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, and Director of the Divorce Advisory Group at Ullmann Wealth Partners. Patrick draws on his experience litigating complex, high-net-worth divorces and his transition into financial advisory work to explore the emotional, psychological, and financial forces that drive costly conflict.

Together, we discuss why financial battles in divorce are often fueled by emotion rather than logic, how power, fear, and control show up in money disputes, and why choosing the right legal and financial professionals can make all the difference. 

Patrick also shares insights from his book Move Forward Confidently, including how women can rebuild financial confidence, make informed decisions, and avoid spending 2x to recover X.

Annulments are rare—but what happens when a marriage isn’t consummated and the court is asked to undo it instead of granting a divorce?

In this week’s episode of Divorce Explained, Leanne and Steve speak with family lawyers Barry Nussbaum and Rebecca Ye—counsel for the applicant—to unpack Justice Presser’s January 2025 Ontario decision in S.M. v. R.F. (2025 ONSC 4155), where the court granted an annulment for non-consummation.

We’ll cover:

• Annulment vs. divorce—what an annulment is (and isn’t)
• The legal test for non-consummation: incapacity vs. refusal
• Culture and religion—why the court focused on the legal test, not social stigma
• Evidence that moved the needle: digital messages, medical checks, and a religious witness
• Practical takeaways: costs, risks, and when pursuing annulment makes sense

Tune in for a clear, candid breakdown of a rare remedy—and what it reveals about how Ontario courts view marriage and annulment today.

Does a Future Inheritance Affect My Divorce?
Inheritance can bring life-changing wealth — but what happens when divorce is also in the picture?

In this week’s episode of Divorce Explained, Leanne Townsend and Steve Benmor sit down with wealth mentor Myra Salzer to unpack how inheritances—whether expected or received—affect divorce, spousal support, and financial planning.

We’ll cover:

• What Ontario law says about inheritances before and after separation
• How timing and segregation impact what’s shared (and what isn’t)
• Why spousal support and future inheritances remain a gray area
• The emotional and financial challenges of managing sudden wealth

Tune in for insights on navigating one of the most complex intersections of money, law, and family.