Straight Talk Family Law Radio

In this first-ever episode, you get to know a bit about us…frankly, we get to know about each other too!:) We also introduce a bit about the work we do together helping families help themselves through the process of separation and divorce. Our talks are frank, relaxed and open – we hope you enjoy it just as much as we do! And, if you do, please subscribe and hit the notification button to be kept in the loop about our upcoming topics. We have a lot but feel free to ask questions or to suggest topics in the comments below and we will try to address in the next episode.

Equal Shared Parenting (ESP) initiatives, whether as a result of case decisions and/or legislative reform, are gaining traction around the world. Significant opposition from lawyers and others impedes ESP’s wider adoption as the parenting regime of choice. Join Gene C. Colman as he critically examines the commonly held myths and stereotypes employed to discredit and malign ESP.

With the recreational use of marijuana becoming legal, it's time we talk about the 'joint' in the room and how this may impact custody and access.

Divorce can affect you financially and emotionally. It can drain that RRSPs or savings. It can push you to overeat or overdrink. We talk to Andy Cosby about some options to help you save money and plan wisely for your future. We will, then, talk about some supports that you may find helpful during and post-separation - so you can be healthy for your children & yourself.

A discussion with Triena McGuirk, about emotional harm in custody and access; spotting and curtailing and how to stay child-focused in separation.

Now, that you have decided to separate, what are your next steps? What about the kids, the financials, the house? What about your sanity and self-care? We tackle these very important questions and attempt to create an easier path for you and your family

Family Mediation has gained popularity over the past couple of decades. Mainly because it’s a lot quicker than going to court, less expensive and, in many cases, it has an element of healing for those involved. Still, the vast majority of families do not understand how mediation works and question if it's even legal! We will attempt to answer some of these concerns.

Common law spouses don't have the same property rights as married couples do. So, if the relationship ends, there may be serious difficulties dividing assets and debts. There are steps that unmarried couples can take. We will be talking about cohabitation agreements and how they may save you lots of headaches down the road (should the relationship end).

Divorce is troublesome enough, with all of the emotions and life changes that it brings. Add to it the complexities of what happens with the finances, and you have a perfect storm for confusion, upheaval and anxiety. Imagine being able to feel a sense of control over your finances because you have the support of a divorce professional that is a financial expert. How can they help? They can walk you through your options, explain the pros and cons of different alternatives, and help you regain control over your financial health, moving forward. And all of this help is available without you having to set one foot inside a courtroom. Our guest for this episode is Neelam Dhall - an Accredited Family Mediator, CPA, CA and author. Neelam mediates parenting plans, child support, spousal support, property division and everything in between. Having lived through her own divorce, Neelam knows the challenges faced by divorcing partners and uses her professional knowledge and life experience to empower her clients with the knowledge they need to make powerful settlements outside of court. Neelam's passion is to help families resolve their family disputes quickly, affordably and outside of court.

Our guest talks with us about her experience as a divorced mother and dealing with the Family Responsibility Office(FRO).

Divorce does not automatically strip parents from their rights, responsibilities and parenting values. Why defer to a stranger to make decisions for your family? Strategies to stay out of court & work together after separation or divorce; especially when kids are involved.

A discussion of the different ways you can achieve "justice" that matches your family's needs and keeps you all out of the adversarial court process.

A discussion the benefits of mediation in terms of financial savings, emotional baggage and duration. We compare medaition with litigation and the adversarial system. Ultimately, the choice is yours!

Dealing with a high-conflict co-parent can be mentally, physically, emotionally and sometimes financially draining. If you don’t find strategies to manage your relationship with your ex, it only makes it more difficult to find peace of mind, for yourself and for your children. Our guest this episode is Ilana Tamari, who has been in full time private practice since 2002. She is an Accredited Family Mediator, who has over 25 years of experience in custody/access assessments, parenting coordination, divorce mediation, mediation/arbitration, reunification therapy and individual & family therapy.

Laura and Rachael Whitzman go in depth answering your questions on topics such as Parenting Plans, Court Process, and more. They discuss the benefits of Mediation and how we can integrate more knowledge on the topic in the community.

Laura Tarcea and Marty Klein sit with Ray to discuss the possibility of a positive transition for children in a divorce.