April 26, 2013
by Sarah
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The ties that keep binding…Sharing post-separation income with your ex spouse

At what point after separation do former spouses truly have economic independence from one another? Child support obligations tie parents together until the children become independent adults. That may be a lengthy period of time after separation but it is … Continue reading

April 12, 2013
by Jennifer Samara Shuber
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The Worst Kept Legal Secret of the Decade: Family Law Needs A Complete Overhaul

Restructuring is what family law needs, says the as-of-yet unreleased report from the Cromwell committee to Chief Justice McLachlin of the Supreme Court of Canada.  No kidding.  Haven’t family lawyers and parties been saying exactly that forever?  I know I … Continue reading

March 28, 2013
by Sarah
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Real Homes for Global Families

Our globalized economy has more and more families on the move with ties to a number of jurisdictions. Families migrate to follow business opportunities with ease. While a family is intact the question of where their real home is of … Continue reading

November 20, 2012
by Jennifer Samara Shuber
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Would Ronald’s real spouse please stand up?

Carrigan v Carrigan Estate is a recent Ontario Court of Appeal case grabbing headlines.  For family lawyers, the case underscores the importance of the domestic contracts, particularly the Separation Agreements, over whose drafting we toil.  For the general public, the Courts’ … Continue reading

October 31, 2012
by Jennifer Samara Shuber
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Will the Supreme Court of Canada consider the issue of custody jurisdiction in the case of an infant?

Followers of this blog may recall the posts my partner Sarah Boulby and I did, in June and July 2012 respectively, on the controversial Ontario Court of Appeal case Dovigi and Razi.  Well, big news to those of us in … Continue reading

September 5, 2012
by Jennifer Samara Shuber
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What Do I DO With This Stuff?

A family lawyer will help you deal with the legal fall-out resulting from a break-up.  A therapist will help you deal with the emotional issues.  But what do you do with the stuff?  The wedding dress?  The engagement ring? This … Continue reading

August 8, 2012
by Jennifer Samara Shuber
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USES OF SKYPE TECHNOLOGY IN FAMILY LAW: PART II: CONNECTING FAMILIES

Many children do not enjoy daily standard face-to-face contact with both of their parents.  This is particularly true for separated and divorced families who no longer live together 24/7.   In recent years, parents and courts have made frequent use of … Continue reading

July 10, 2012
by Jennifer Samara Shuber
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The Ontario Court of Appeal Decision in Dovigi v Razi: Have Baby, Will Travel

The May 31, 2012 Ontario Court of Appeal’s decision in Dovigi v Razi 2012 ONCA 361 has attracted a lot of attention.  The family law bar and the general public are divided on whether the appeal court got it right.  The … Continue reading

June 19, 2012
by Jennifer Samara Shuber
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Thorny Spousal Support Issues Post Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines

This is the second of two blog posts on the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (“SSAGs”), their applications and shortcomings.  Today, I comment on the use and abuse of the SSAGs in cases of payors in Ontario who earn more than … Continue reading

June 5, 2012
by Jennifer Samara Shuber
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Thorny Spousal Support Issues Post Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (“SSAGs”)

The Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (“SSAGs”) were finalized in 2008.  They have been widely accepted in Ontario and endorsed by our Court of Appeal.  As evidenced by a recently released January 2012 Department of Justice survey, the SSAGs are working … Continue reading