Blog

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.

Registered psychotherapist Natalie Carriere talks about 8 things you you should know about therapy before choosing a therpist.

There are many decisions that need to be made once a couple has decided to end their relationship. Contrary to popular belief there several options to choose from for couples that want to stay out of court and resolve things as smoothly and cost-effectively as possible. Here are a few of the available options for divorce processes and some tips about how to decide which one would work best for you. Uncontested Divorce An uncontested divorce works best when both parties are getting along and generally want the best for each other. This process relies on both spouses working together to agree on the terms of the divorce. In an uncontested divorce both parties file separate paperwork with the court before amicably parting ways. Because things like division of assets and child support are decided on at the outset there is no need for hearings, settlement negotiations or other court procedures. If things are amicable an uncontested divorce is a great option because it allows the couple to end things congenially and with dignity. Mediation Hiring a mediator is a good option when both parties are frustrated and hurt but are still willing to work together to reach a settlement […]

It is no secret that around 50 per cent of marriages end in divorce. Even though it is quite commonplace it is not something that is talked about openly. When going through the divorce process it is hard to anticipate how it is going to go and how you’re going to feel. Here are a few things that aren’t often talked about when it comes to separation and divorce. Your financial situation will change completely Divorce is costly in many ways. Suddenly your income may change drastically, and you must ensure you can pay your legal bills during the divorce and have enough money to support yourself and possibly your children once the divorce is finalized. There may also be child support and alimony to be considered as well. Whether you are the payer or the payee this needs to be worked into your finances. Your tax bracket may also change because you are now surviving on a single income. Talking to a professional like a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) can help you prepare a plan that will ensure you have all your bases covered during and after the divorce. Your friends may stop calling It is likely that […]

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 […]

Clean Break co-host Daren Givoque talks with Tina about his process and experience as one of the few Certified Divorce Financial Analysts (CDFA) in Eastern Ontario. Find out what a CDFA is and how they can help you feel secure financially in one of the most uncertain times of your life.

Separation or divorce often means reorganizing your entire life. From living arrangements to where you get your coffee in the morning, people usually want a fresh start. When it comes to maintaining family vehicles typically one spouse has the knowledge or connections. If this isn’t you, you may be left in the lurch. Here are some key tips for proper general vehicle maintenance that will ensure that you and your family are safe, and your vehicle stays on the road as long as possible. Regular maintenance Taking your vehicle in to get regular oil changes, tire rotation and break maintenance is one of the most important things you can do. A good mechanic should also do an assessment of the general health of the vehicle at the time of the visit to make sure there aren’t any glaring issues that need to be addressed. Having a quick check up for your car is important not only for the health of the vehicle but also for the safety of yourself and others on the road. You can use your warranty anywhere One big automotive myth is that you need to take your vehicle back to the dealership to ensure your warranty […]

  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 […]

Staying out of court during the separation process is ideal for a lot of couples. Hiring a mediator is often a great way to have someone help you resolve your differences. Unfortunately, in some cases, this is not enough and a third-party needs to be called in to make a decision; This is where arbitration comes in. Arbitration can be used to resolve a single issue or several outstanding issues. Here are a few commonly asked questions about arbitration and how it works in the divorce process. What is Arbitration? Arbitration is a process that is very similar to court. It is helpful in resolving issues on which the couple has reached an impasse and can’t resolve by agreement. At this point the parties select an arbitrator to decide on the outstanding legal issues. Arbitrators are often senior lawyers or retired judges. How does it work? The process is relatively formal and similar to court, with parties making opening statements, calling witnesses, presenting evidence and giving closing statements. The kind of evidence required will vary with each case but may involve affidavit (written) evidence or oral testimony. After hearing the evidence and submissions the arbitrator writes a decision, called an […]

Going through separation and/or divorce is very complicated. There is a laundry list of people you need to work with that includes lawyers, real estate agents and mortgage and insurance brokers, among others. Then there are the kids and their needs, as well as work, friends and family. It’s difficult to keep on top of it all at the best of times. Separation and divorce is extremely stressful, yet you are expected to make clear, level-headed decisions about your future. A tall order for anyone, and it brings up a lot of emotions. Many people prefer to push their feelings away. It’s hard to acknowledge when stress has gotten so intense you can’t cope. It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed, and even to flip your lid. It’s the way the human brain works. When you flip your lid, your emotions take over. Emotions are an important part of decision-making, and they enable us to react very fast. In the paleo days, for example, it was important for fear, when faced with a predator, to motivate you to either attack, run or play dead immediately. But in the modern world, responding on emotions alone—metaphorically attacking, […]

 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.

People often ask whether it is beneficial to have a pre-listing inspection when they are selling their home. While it is not a requirement, the benefits of having someone look at your home before it goes on the market are numerous. Why wait until someone is interested in buying your home to find out there is something wrong with it? Here are a few key reasons why having a pre-listing inspection can help ensure any offers on your house go off without a hitch. Many deals make or break with the home inspection During a real estate transaction, the home inspection is usually one of the last components. The deal is contingent on the home inspection and whether or not the inspector finds any “deal breakers” in the house. Having your house inspected pre-listing will make sure there are no surprises that you have to deal with during the stressful process of a real estate sale. Knowing what is hidden in the bowels of your house will allow you to rectify any issues before the house goes on the market and eliminate any nasty surprises when someone expresses interest in buying the property. Home inspectors can help sell your home […]

Nothing is certain in life except death and taxes. Nothing is more true, especially when navigating the complex and emotionally charged world of divorce. There are many tax implications that you need to watch out for both during the equalization process and after you and your partner have separated. Here are a few things you need to know to make taxation work for you and make sure you reach the best settlement possible for your situation. Consider the value of each asset after taxes This may be the most important thing you do in your divorce settlement. When you are looking at equalization it is important to consider the value of each asset AFTER taxes because assets will be taxed differently. For example, imagine you and your spouse own a house that is worth $400,000. Your partner also has non-registered investments totaling $100,000 and an RRSP that is worth $300,000. That comes to a total of $800,000 of which you are entitled to $400,000, or half. In this case the investments will be taxed at a rate of 20% while the RRSP will be taxed at a rate of 40%, leaving you with only $260,000 of the $400,000 once the […]

Talking about money is not an easy thing when it comes to relationships. It becomes especially complicated when two people have different ideas about money or one has more than the other. When a couple is ready to take the next step by getting married or moving in together the topic of a prenup may come up. This can be a difficult conversation to have, but a necessary one if you have valuable assets that you would like to protect. Here are a few things to consider when broaching a prenuptial agreement. In Ontario law a prenup is called a domestic contract While you may know the word prenup from TV and Hollywood movies the term is an American one. In Canada, and Ontario in particular, prenups are called domestic contracts. Domestic contracts cover both marriage contacts and cohabitation agreements and act in a similar way to the American prenup. Both are used to organize a couple’s finances, clarify their rights and responsibilities in relation to one another and govern the division of property should they decide to part ways. Domestic contracts are used for more than just protection of assets Although one of the main purposes for a domestic […]

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 […]

Wills are very personal and important documents. However, there is confusion surrounding how significant life events like marriage and divorce affect a person’s will. For example, did you know marriage revokes a will? Here are 6 things you need to know about wills when it comes to marriage and divorce:   Marriage revokes a will This may come as a surprise to you but once you say “I Do” any prior will that you have created is revoked, unless that will was made explicitly “in contemplation of the marriage.” This means that if you don’t make a new will and you die something called the rules of intestacy (explained later) will dictate where your estate goes. Even if you are in a long-term relationship and marriage is not necessarily in the cards, it is a good idea to put a clause in your will stating that it is being made “in contemplation of the marriage” – that way if you do have a wild weekend in Vegas that includes wedding vows, you still have a valid will. Separation from a marriage or common-law relationship has no effect on your will No matter how definite a separation, whether you were married […]