What Is Important To You?

Best for Children Parenting Plans

There is only one way to approach a parenting plan for the children:  it must be child focussed and in the best interests of the children. Consider the child’s security, education, health, special needs, routines, overall well-being, and the need for positive role models, safety, guidance, and discipline. Don’t forget fun loving playtime!

Appropriate Child Support

Child support has been codified in the Child Support Guidelines. It is essential that both parents provide full fincial disclosure to ensure that the amount of child support is based on accurate and current information. Child support is for the benefit of the children and cannot be waived by a parent or guardian except under special circumstances. There are essentially two components: the ongoing monthly fixed payment and the sharing of fluctuating, seasonal or variable costs. The fixed monthly payment, called the Table amount, is based on the gross income. It is paid to assist the primary resident parent with accommodation, food, and clothing costs for the children.

The second component of child support relates to the other costs which vary in scope and may for example, be sports related; academic such as the child’s special or gifted educational needs, college or university costs; health expenses, and daycare for the younger children. There may be expectations of older children to contribute to their own educational costs.

If the parents have developed an arrangement with respect to the support of the children, this arrangement may satisfy the underlying goals of the Child Support Guidelines.

Property Division

The issue of dividing the property owned by each party begins with the full disclosure of each spouse’s financial circumstances.  This will include the valuing of businesses, pensions, securities, and land.  The legal principles and statutory rights are different for married couples from those in common law relationships. It is important to retain family law counsel to understand the full scope of these rights. It is critical to understand the value of a pension plan or business venture before you waive your entitlement to receive a share of its value. Ensure that you have all the necessary and salient information before any decisions are taken.

Spousal Support

To understand one’s entitlement to receive spousal support, or obligation to pay it, it is necessary to look at a number of important factors.  Who cared for the children? How long did you live together? What will be the economic impact of separating on your lifestyle?  What efforts did you contribute to help build the family home? Were the family’s resources diminished through reckless habits? As you may appreciate, this is a complex are of family law and each family unique.