From the comments and requests of followers, it seems that a lot of separated parents have difficulty getting information about their kids - whether it be from schools, or health care providers or in relation to activities or from other agencies that are involved in kids’ lives. This is a question that I am asked a lot. Those followers have come up with complex applications of several laws to access information. Getting information about your kids after separation should not be that hard. Difficulty getting that information may be an indication of parental alienation.

When parents are cut off from their kids after separation, or have serious relationship problems with them, they might ask Family Court Judges to fix to fix the problem by ordering an “alienation workshop.” Those programs promise to fix the problem in a few days. However, several jurisdictions have banned parental alienation workshops. The reasons relate to what happens at those programs, and sometimes that they can perpetuate family violence. The treatment protocols of these programs are trade secrets and so the program providers do not publish exactly what they do. 

But, In this episode of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, Certified Specialist in Family Law, John Schuman, reveals what, through litigating parental alienation cases, he saw program providers testify. He has obtained the transcripts of what they said. In this episode he plays those transcripts so parents can find out exactly what happens at parental alienation treatment programs. 

Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube.

The Ontario Family Law Podcast is a companion to the book, Guide to the Basics of Ontario Family Law. The latest edition, which is up-to-date on all important divorce issues is now available. Get it as a $⁠⁠⁠⁠9.99 Kindle eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠ , or as an ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Book for your iPad or iPhone ⁠⁠⁠⁠. Also, you can get it as a ⁠⁠⁠⁠paperback or hard cover from Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠ or at better bookstores.

TO CONTACT JOHN SCHUMAN:

When parents separate, particularly when there is a lot of conflict, it is common for one parent to say that it is important to listen to what the kids want. That parent wants the other parent, or a judge or arbitrator, to listen to the opinion of the children when setting up parenting arrangements after separation. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child requires that children be heard in matters that affect them. But, insisting that the other parent, a judge or any other authority listen to the children is one of the most dangerous things that a parent can do. In some circumstances, judges view a parent making that request as evidence that parent should not be caring for the children at all.

See the Everclear video here.

TO CONTACT JOHN SCHUMAN:

What happens if spouses separate – their relationship is over - but one spouse refuses to move out? There can be a lot of tension, maybe even violence because of the bad feelings and conflict in the home. Nobody wants to keep living with an ex. Moving out can cause legal problems for the spouse that leaves, so both spouses may want to stay in the house. That's a bad situation. So, in this episode of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, Certified Specialist, John Schuman explains when can one spouse can just toss the other one out. A ⁠video version of this episode is available on Youtube⁠.

63. What Can You Do With a Marriage Contract?

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The Child Support Guidelines was supposed to make child support easy, predictable and fair. They are supposed to result in separated parents spending as much o their kids as they would if the family was together. Yet, child support remains very controversial. Often that is because people get chid support wrong. So, in this episode of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, Certified Specialist in Family Law, John Schuman, explains seven common child support mistakes that cost people big - and how to avoid them.

This episode covers how to calculate base child support and when that may be different from what people expect. Also, it explains contributions to section 7 expenses. On addition, it also goes over what is, and is not, a proper section 7 expense. Finally, it covers some important tax considerations for child support.

If you found this episode helpful, check out these episodes on similar topics:

90. ⁠5 Family Law Fails⁠ 

89. ⁠⁠Is Child Support Ever Too Much?  

81. ⁠⁠Can Separated Parents Agree to No Child Support?⁠ 

76. ⁠⁠Why Your Income for Taxes May Not Be Your Income for Child Support (or Spousal Support) 

66.. ⁠⁠How to Change Child Support

54. Child Support Does Not End at Age 18⁠

53. How to Pay Less Child Support

The Ontario Family Law Podcast is a companion to the book, Guide to the Basics of Ontario Family Law. The latest edition, which is up-to-date on all important divorce issues is now available. Get it as a $⁠⁠9.99 Kindle eBook⁠⁠ , or as an ⁠⁠Apple Book for your iPad or iPhone ⁠⁠. Also, you can get it as a ⁠⁠paperback or hard cover from Amazon⁠⁠ or at better bookstores.

TO CONTACT JOHN SCHUMAN:

Considering moving in with someone? Or getting married? There is lots of advice out there that you really should get a cohabitation agreement or marriage contract. But, that sounds really unromantic. Is it really necessary?

If you found this episode helpful, check out these episodes on similar topics:

96. If You Let Your Partner Move In, Will They Get Your House?

30. Spousal Support Entitlement

Check out the video version of ⁠this episode on YouTube⁠.

One of the most cost common family lawyer questions is: “If I let my partner move in with me, will her or she get half of my home?” Or, put another way, "Does living common law mean giving up half your house?" Unfortunately, this is another one of those times when a lawyer is going to tell you “It depends.” The Ontario Family Law Statutes were written so that there was a quick simple straightforward answer. And then judges made it complicated. In this episode of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, Certified Specialist in Family Law, John Schuman, explains whether letting your partner live common law means giving your him or her half of your stuff.

Check out the video version of this episode on YouTube.

When separated spouses live in different countries or provinces, they may wonder where the best place would be to get divorced. Where the separated spouses now live in different places, it may be possible to chose where the divorce will occur. Different jurisdictions have different laws. Often it can be more advantageous for one spouse to get divorced in one jurisdiction over another.

Most people have no idea what goes on in Family Court. They can be very afraid to go there. And for good reason. There can be a lot at stake. Judges on TV can seem intimidating, or even mean. That judge can make some important decisions that will impact the lives of separated spouses and parents for ever. However, people find Family Court a lot easier if they know what to expect and things work out better when they know what to do and what not to do.

14. Family Court Step-By-Step Part 1: Starting Court Proceedings

Many people are very concerned about losing their assets to a partner or spouse when they separate.  It’s a big concern.  In episode, number 92, Certified Specialist in Family Law, John Schuman, went over some strategies that people can use to protect their assets during a relationship or when separated.   Unfortunately, some times, there is no way to protect assets.  However, there are still ways to lose them, unnecessarily, when separating from a spouse.  So, in this episode of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, John Schuman explains the preventable ways losing assets.  This is an important episode for anyone separating who has assets.  It will help avoid making the mistakes that lead to unnecessarily losing wealth. A video version of ⁠this episode is available on YouTube⁠.

If you found this episode helpful, check out these other episodes:

92. How to Protect Your Assets in a Relationship or Marriage

85. ⁠⁠Four Things Everyone Gets Wrong About Divorce Law⁠⁠

83. ⁠⁠Family Law Strategies That Fail... and Tips to Succeed⁠⁠

82. ⁠⁠Mistakes People Make Doing Their Own Separation Agreement⁠⁠

81. ⁠⁠Can Separated Parents Agree to No Child Support?⁠⁠

79. ⁠⁠⁠What Am I Legally Required To Do First After Separating? ⁠⁠⁠ 

71. ⁠⁠⁠The Impact of the Crazy Real Estate Market on Separation & Divorce⁠⁠⁠ 

60. ⁠⁠⁠Should I Take My Ex to Family Court?⁠⁠⁠ 

59. ⁠⁠⁠Why You Won’t Get Custody of the Kids⁠⁠⁠ 

53. ⁠⁠⁠How to Pay Less Child Support⁠⁠⁠ 

40. ⁠⁠⁠How to Keep Your Money in Divorce and Separation ⁠⁠⁠ 

36. ⁠⁠⁠Is Family Court Biased? ⁠⁠⁠ 

The Ontario Family Law Podcast is a companion to the book, Guide to the Basics of Ontario Family Law, which is available  as a $9.99 Kindle eBook, Kobo eBook, or iBook for your iPad or iPhone and as a paperback from Amazon and better bookstores. Get it here: http://www.schumanlaw.ca/family-law-guide.html

TO CONTACT JOHN SCHUMAN:

website:  www.schumanlaw.ca

email: [email protected] 

Phone: 416-446-5080