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Hosts Daren Givoque and Tina Murray talk to Financial Literacy and Credit Counselor Pamela George about debt and how to get back on track. She also shares her 8 ways to bring down your debt.

During a separation or divorce, couples may fight over the house and kids. But for some families, the RESP might be a considerable asset that can also cause a tug-of-war. Here’s what you need to know about your child’s education savings in the event of a break-up. A separation or divorce can be an acrimonious time, rife with fights over the house, the money, and even the dishes. An RESP, or Registered Education Savings Plan, that families set up years ago for the children can become part of the battle — especially if it is considered one of the family’s big assets. If you have children, you may have opened an RESP to save for their education. It’s an investment that allows contributors to save money for a child’s (the beneficiary’s) post-secondary education. Contributions to an RESP can be supplemented by grants and incentives from the federal and certain provincial governments. It can be a smart way to invest and grow money for the purposes of saving for education. RESPs can be a really good way to save for a child’s education. The money can grow on a tax-deferred basis and the federal government can add grants of up to […]

Clean Break hosts Daren Givoque and Tina Murray chat with local real estate agent, Susan Dunton, about keeping or selling a home when going through divorce.

Are you feeling bitter about your previous relationship? Would you like to date again but want to know what to avoid? Here are three relationship red flags and the one issue that prevents you from seeing them. They say too much too soon, and think you’re “the one” on the first date or maybe even before you’ve met. I’m a believer in love at first sight, and even thinking or “knowing” “they’re the one” right away. At the same time, I recommend taking time to let things unfold. Sometimes excitement, fantasies and hormones can lead us astray. Relationships are like plants. Healthy relationships grow slowly and steadily. When a person reveals too much at first, that’s a sign they don’t really know what’s healthy and unhealthy in a relationship. As the relationship matures, the other person stops “being romantic.” As I said, relationships are like plants. If you don’t care for them, they’ll die. They are nurtured accidentally or effortlessly in the beginning because being together is very compelling. But as time goes on, the connection still needs to be nourished. If you notice your dating partner less and less willing to nurture the relationship, this is a red flag. […]

Are you going through a breakup? Are you confused by your feelings? Or wondering when you’ll stop feeling this way? Here are three secrets about breakups, and two key ways to help you feel better. Secret number one: Breaking up sucks. It just plain sucks. And how you’re feeling is normal. A relationship break-up is a kind of death. It’s the death of the relationship but also the death of your vision for the future, of how you imagined life would be. These can be profound losses, and of course there may be many more associated losses I haven’t mentioned, so no wonder it’s hitting you hard. You might feel sadness, loss, anger, relief, isolation, guilt, shame, and all kinds of other emotions. Ups and downs are normal. Not wanting to feel what you’re feeling is normal. Snapping or crying at the drop of a hat is normal. All this is normal. You’re not going crazy. Secret number two: Grief isn’t linear. If you’ve googled anything about grieving, you may have seen something about the 7 stages of grief. While you may experience some of those things, that model was developed for people diagnosed with terminal illness. So, if it […]

For many couples who are separating figuring out what to do with the matrimonial home is one of the biggest concerns. When deciding what to do with any real estate it is important to consult both a mortgage advisor and a lawyer. That said, here are the three options for dealing with the family home. Sell it Selling the matrimonial home is one of the more popular options when it comes to separation or divorce. When you put your house up for sale make sure you: Hire a Realtor to provide you with the estimated market value of your propertyCalculate your respective net proceeds from the sale and be sure to keep in mind that the proceeds may not be divided in half. The division will depend on your divorce settlement. When selling be sure to maximize the resale value of your home. The equity from the sale typically needs to fund the down payment for two new purchases so every dollar counts! One party buys the other out This option tends to be the most stable for families at it allows children to remain in the home where they are most comfortable. However, it requires a lot of financial […]

Many people react to adverse circumstances like separation or divorce with a flood of strong emotions and a sense of uncertainty. The good news is that, in general, people adapt well over time to life-changing situations and stressful conditions. I know—because I’ve seen it in my clients over and over—that people have the skills and resources they need to bounce back. The problem is, when you’re under stress, you forget your strengths and skills. Here are 5 reminders of things that will help you as you regain your footing and move forward with your life:  Make connections.  Accepting help and support from those who care about you and will listen to you strengthens resilience. Choose your confidants carefully and they will be excellent resources Acknowledge that change is a part of life. Some change feels good and some feels bad. With changes you don’t like, might help to say to yourself, “This is tough. I don’t like it. AND change is a part of life. I deal with change all the time. I can handle this. Make yourself a “done” list. It can feel daunting to see an endless “to-do” list and only be able to cross off one or […]

   Join Clean Break hosts Daren Givoque and Tina Murray as they speak with Adam Mills, a real estate agent from Barrhaven, about everything you need to know regarding real estate and divorce.

Divorce is hard on everyone and all the more so on kids. Kids experience none of the possible empowerment a divorce can eventually bring, and often feel the brunt of the losses as a result. They are also developmentally less able to cope with stress and change without support. Kids experience many losses in divorce They experience losses in: their future. Even if they have never formally thought about it, they most likely imagined living as a family (with both parents), until they grew up and moved out. Now the family looks different. their home. Many divorces result in the sale of the family home and a move. their friends and relatives. If the family moves, the children’s relationships with their friends may be disrupted because of distance; relationships with family members, such as aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins may also change depending on the nature of the post-separation relationship between the parents and their families. In addition to all the changes they are experiencing, they will be grieving. The main thing to remember is that kids of all ages may have challenges verbalizing their upset. It is more likely for kids to show their distress than to talk about […]

Jim Jeffcott, partner at Low Murchison Radnoff LLP is a big proponent of collaborative practice. He chats with our Clean Break hosts about how it can help make the divorce process a little bit easier.

Divorce can be costly but spending doesn’t have to get out of control. Here are a few tips for how to keep costs low during the divorce process.

The holidays can be difficult. If you are in the middle of a divorce it can be even more challenging. Here are a few tips for surviving the season while going through the divorce process.

Getting a divorce is one of the most difficult things you will go through in your life. You need a team of professionals to help. Here are the top three professionals who are essential to have on your divorce team.

Communication between divorced parents can be difficult. Here are a few key peices of technology that can help you manage schedules and communicate effrectively with your ex.

 Clean Break hosts Tina Murray and Daren Givoque talk to Insurance Agent Justin Rice about what divorcing couples need to watch out for when it comes to their insurance. Justin talks about the types of insurance they might need as well as the importance of keeping your insurance agent in the loop during any big life change.

The idea of dating after divorce can seem very daunting. It may be years since you have been on a date and you could be wondering where to start. Depending on how long you have been single you may be feeling the pressure from family and friends to “get back out there”. However, there are some important things to consider upon re-entering the dating world, especially if your goal is to meet a new life partner. Make sure you are ready It is very important to be honest with yourself when it comes to deciding whether you are ready to start dating. Are you ready to take the lessons you learned from your past relationship and apply them to a new one? Or are the memories still too painful and fresh? The amount of time it takes to heal from a divorce varies for everyone and it is important to make sure you are ready before you “test the waters” and start dating. If you are still feeling emotionally vulnerable from your divorce it may be difficult to make good choices in a new relationship. Know your values As part of the healing process, getting to know yourself again is […]

After the upheaval of your divorce, you have the opportunity for a fresh start and to explore your answer to the question “Now what?”. The challenge is avoiding things that can interfere with your plans for the future. Here are three common pitfalls of recently divorced people and how to avoid them. Allowing the advice of others to influence the choices you make  It is natural to look for support from family and friends when you are going through a divorce.  With so many decisions to be made it’s helpful to have the advice of an expert or to ask for a second opinion, especially when the decision has long-term consequences.  But as you make plans for your future, you may find yourself receiving unsolicited advice. With the best of intentions, friends and family are often eager to give you advice on what they believe is best for you.  Remember, their advice is based on their perspective on life and their experience.  It may not take into account your vision for your life or include any new ideas and plans that may be percolating in your mind.  If the advice doesn’t feel right or you are leaning towards taking the […]

For some people getting a mortgage can be an onerous task. There are several factors that come into play that can make it even more difficult for a recently separated person to invest in a new property. It is advisable to wait until the separation is finalized before you purchase a new property. This will ensure that the dust has settled, all joint debts are taken care of and legal financial obligations like child support and alimony are outlined. That being said, the divorce process can take years and many people don’t want to wait that long to purchase a new home. This is where the separation agreement comes in. For people going through the divorce process lenders will rely heavily on the separation agreement to dictate the mortgage they will approve. A separation agreement should outline everything from the division of the matrimonial home, to child support payments and alimony. It gives the banks and lenders a good idea of what your financial situation will look like post-divorce. In some situations, a signed affidavit is enough to replace a fully executed separation agreement. This only happens when there is no matrimonial home (or it is sold already) and child […]

  Most people do not decide to divorce or separate from their partner overnight. It often takes many months, and even years, of thought before one or both people decide to put an official end to a relationship. As a productivity specialist and someone who has experienced divorce first-hand I know how crucial being organized in your thoughts and actions can be for getting through the divorce process. Here are a few of the most important steps to take once you have finally decided that a divorce is on the table. Congratulate yourself This may seem strange but using positive enforcement is key to protecting your mental health through this process. Getting a divorce is a huge, life-altering event. There is a lot of guilt and shame surrounding divorce and separation and not enough people talk about how brave it is. Often ending the relationship is the best decision for you and your partner’s well-being. Rather than wallow in self pity and guilt, say to yourself “good for me.” You are taking steps to address your needs and that deserves to be congratulated. Get a good divorce lawyer Make sure you hire a good lawyer who you trust and knows […]

In many situations, divorcing couples want to avoid court. There are a number of alternative dispute resolution processes to choose from, one of which is mediation. Here are a few answers to common questions people have when considering mediation as an option for their divorce or separation. What is mediation? Mediation is a process where a separating couple meets with a neutral third-party who assists them in their discussions to reach an agreement. Unlike hiring a lawyer to represent you, a mediator does not work for one party or the other and remains completely neutral throughout the process. They do not make any decisions but facilitates discussion and assists both parties in coming to a Separation Agreement. When do you hire a mediator? You may hire a mediator at any time during your separation, even if you are in court.  Mediation may not be suitable option if there are concerns regarding mental health issues or abuse.  Who can be a mediator? There are individuals who are mediators who may not have training or who may not have experience in family law. For financial issues in particular, you should hire a mediator who has experience in family law and the legislation […]

 Going through a divorce is hard. Going through a bankruptcy and the same time can make it even harder. Talking about it is the first step, so we brought on  Licensed Insolvency Trustee, Andre Bolduc from BDO Canada to talk to our hosts about all things bankruptcy and divorce.

A home is usually the biggest asset a couple has to consider when going through a divorce. Navigating the complex world of mortgages is not an easy task and knowing how to deal with a home when it comes to reaching an equitable settlement can be complex. Mortgage brokers are your best ally when it comes to dealing with the intricacies of property ownership, divorce and figuring out the best option when it comes to your home. Here are 4 things a mortgage broker will need to complete this process. A written and executed separation agreement signed by both parties A separation agreement will break down what the division of assets will be. It will also lay out any ongoing financial responsibilities for either parties like child or spousal support. This has to be taken into consideration when it comes to the affordability of the mortgage for the spouse that is keeping the house. The separation needs to be finalized meaning that it must be the final document that has been agreed upon by both parties. Separation agreements that are in the process of being negotiated are of no use to a mortgage broker as it will not deliver an […]