MenuAs the pandemic has produced a rise in divorces and family disputes, the recent enactment of Divorce Act amendments will give a boost to collaborative family law and have more clients resolving their issues outside of a courtroom. Read the…
Blog
< Go back
Collaborative law
The Divorce Act has grown up, but will we?
This article was originally published on the Toronto Star. Many people think that the courtroom is the place to finally bring justice — via the well-intentioned figure seated in black robes — to the injustice of their failed marriage. Unfortunately,…
New Divorce Act changes focus on out-of-court resolution, interests of child – Boutet in The Lawyer’s Daily
New federal laws requiring family lawyers to “encourage” parting spouses to use mediation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution instead of the courts have come into force. Read the full article on The Lawyer’s Daily
What to Do When Your Spouse’s Addiction Gets Worse During the Pandemic
Article originally published on DivorceMag. If you’re dealing with your spouse’s addiction and are thinking about getting a divorce, there are unique legal issues and strategies you might have to grapple with The impact of COVID-19 is being felt across…
Saving family businesses from divorce during COVID-19
Article originally published on Wealth Professional. The pandemic has already taken a toll on both the economy and marriages across the country, and now with a second wave, those numbers are likely to rise. In fact, one in seven small…
As COVID-19 weighs on marriages, what should business owners know?
With business closures, quarantines, and household isolation measures continuing throughout Canada and around the world, many couples forced into a common domestic situation for an extended period are finding their relationships tested. Family law experts predict an uptick in divorce…
Making Blended Families Work: Protecting the Needs of Spouses and Kids
Blended families are complex situations emotionally, legally and financially that require the right approach, knowledge and preparation for success.
Property possession and gifts when separating
With sky-high rents and home ownership out of reach for many young Canadians, more couples are moving into properties with the help of their parents’ money, or even back into their childhood home. But not understanding the legal implications in case of a separation can lead to problems, considering that nearly four in 10 marriages will end in divorce. And while the number of young adults (18-34) who are getting married is on the decline, 58 per cent of Canadians in common-law relationships say that, despite the law being otherwise, assets should be divided equally when the relationship ends, according to a recent Angus Reid poll.
What You Need to Know if You’re Divorcing an Addict
In most cases, mediation and collaborative law are well-suited to family disputes arising from addiction. These approaches can help reduce potential conflict with your spouse and, may allow you and your spouse to reach a resolution in a cost-effective and timely fashion.
How to protect homes in the event of divorce – Boutet in Rep Mag
This is how to avoid legal pitfalls when couples move into properties with the help of their parents’ money. Read the full article on Rep Mag
How divorces affect mortgages – Boutet on Mortgage Broker News
In the event of divorce, complications arise when it comes to dividing assets like homes and determining who keeps making mortgage payments. Read the full article on Mortgage Broker News
Why You Shouldn’t Sign a Separation Agreement Without Reading it First – Boutet in Divorce Magazine
There are several important items to be considered during negotiations and before signing a separation agreement, including factors that could have an effect on the family in the future. Most importantly, there are two elements to keep in mind about separation…
How to divide a business in divorce without affecting the company – Boutet in the Globe and Mail
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’ amicable split sets an example of what to do during a divorce, especially when it involves a business. Read my article in The Globe and Mail on how a collaborative approach keeps shareholders and employees reassured…
Is Addiction Threatening Your Marriage?
Addiction is a very real issue that haunts families in many ways. Alcoholism, drug dependency and gambling are the most common, while sex and digital addiction are also driving couples to divorce. Often, at their wits end, frustrated and desperate…
Helping Clients when Addiction Leads to Divorce – Boutet on Advisor.ca
Addiction affects families in many ways: alcoholism, drug dependency, gambling and sex addiction are some that advisors may have encountered in their clients. If the addicted spouse does not seek treatment, or the treatment fails, divorce can be the result.…
Getting the right legal help when addiction leads to divorce
Getting the right kind of legal help when addiction fractures a family Addiction haunts families in many ways – alcoholism, drug dependency, gambling and sex addiction are some of the most common. Therapy can be beneficial, but when it fails,…
How to Educate Clients About Prenups – Boutet on Advisor.ca
Unpleasant conversations are always difficult, but more so when the topic is unfamiliar. This is a particular problem with prenuptial agreements, also known as marriage contracts. In the absence of early financial education, people may find it difficult to broach…
Make These Moves First when Divorce Strikes – Boutet on Advisor.ca
The early stages of a family breakdown often prompt unsettling questions for separating spouses. Most people want to minimize the disruption and protect their legal and financial rights. Often, they will begin a frantic search online for credible information about…
Tips for Teams Working with Family Enterprise Clients – Boutet on Advisor.ca
When advisors work in arranged teams with complementary skills, they may have developed a charter to define their roles and common goals, a code of conduct for communications, and a method for conflict resolution. They can then draw on these…
Managing Divorce – Boutet on 680 News
Nathalie Boutet on 680 News with advice on managing the difficult transition of divorce.
Protect a Business from Marital Breakdown – Boutet in Advisor.ca
Marital breakdown can destroy a business, but it needn’t be this way. With the right planning, your client’s business can survive a failed marriage. Read the full article on Advisor.ca.
Protect Your Practice – Nathalie Boutet on CPA Canada
Yours, mine or ours? What business owners should know and do to protect their assets in the event of a personal relationship breakdown. Read the article on CPA Canada.
Separated Families Derive Great Satisfaction Through the Collaborative Process – Nathalie Boutet in Ontario Bar Association
When my colleague Barbara Kristanic and I started our most recent Collaborative Law case involving mobility (wife and children to relocate from Ontario to Europe), a child with disabilities, a stay-at-home mother and a husband who wanted to change careers,…
Family Law and Home Ownership – Nathalie Boutet on CFRA Radio
Nathalie Boutet on CFRA Radio discussing out-of-court methods such as collaborative law and interest-based negotiation, and the power of “fairness”.