Family Law 101
Understanding the law so you can make decisions
61 articles
Basics
The First Section of Your Separation Agreement in Divii
- Matter DetailsLearn how to input essential information into the agreement and ensure accuracy.
- Your Details
- Spouse Details
- Child Information
- RelationshipUnderstand how to determine your cohabitation and separation dates.
- Legal History of the Parties
- Agreement BasicsCompleting the Agreement Details section
Parenting
How to Create a Strong Parenting Plan
- Parenting OverviewAn overview of the importance of starting with parenting arrangements and the definition of guardianship.
- Parenting AgreementsUnique Agreements to Make Parenting Work
- Other Parenting MattersLearn about the provisions included in a co-parenting agreement that addresses travel, introducing new partners, children's belongings, and an annual review of your co-parenting plan.
- Parenting ResponsibilitiesLearn about parenting responsibilities, the child's best interests, key co-parenting principles, co-parenting communication guidelines, and the different types of co-parenting decisions.8 articles
- Parenting TimeLearn about co-parenting arrangements, parenting time planning, and different co-parenting structures.7 articles
Child Support
How to Make Sure Your Children are Financially Supported
- Child Support DetailsAn overview on child support, determining income, running support calculations, and other considerations around support.
- Running Support CalculationsLearn about the Federal Child Support Guidelines and how to run support calculations.
- Steps to Determining IncomeLearn how to determine your guideline income for support calculations.
- Pattern of IncomeLearn what to do when your most recent income doesn't accurately reflect your future earning potential for Child Support Purposes.
- Corporate IncomeUnderstand how to handle corporate income when determining income for Child Support.
- Imputation of IncomeLearn when a different income amount than what appears on your tax return is assigned for Child Support Calculations.
- Special or Extraordinary ExpensesLearn about Special or Extraordinary Expenses as it relates to Child Support as well as important tax considerations.
- Child Support Tax ConsiderationsLearn about tax considerations in Child Support Agreements
Spousal Support
Ensuring You and Your Spouse are Financially Supported
- Spousal Support DetailsUnderstand spousal support entitlement, determination, the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (SSAG), methods of payment, and limitations.
- Entitlement to Spousal SupportLearn about the three main ways Spousal Support entitlement is determined.
- Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (SSAG)Learn about the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (SSAG) and how Spousal Support amounts are calculated under the SSAG.
- Determining Your SSAG RangeLearn about factors that place you higher in the range, lower in the range, or factors that can adjust the range.
- Types of Spousal Support PaymentsUnderstand the different types of Spousal Support payment options.
- Income ConsiderationsKey income considerations you should know about when calculating Spousal Support
- Duty to Become Self-SufficientHow self-sufficiency factors into Spousal Support.
- Considerations for Spousal Support StructuresFurther considerations regarding Spousal Support.
Property
Dividing Assets and Liabilities
- Property OverviewAn overview on property division, excluded property, unequal division, and valuing property.
- Family ResidenceLearn about how the Family Residence is divided, selling the Family Residence, and what exclusive occupation is.
- Additional Real PropertyUnderstand Additional Real Property and how it's typically divided.
- Unincoporated BusinessesLearn about dividing businesses during separation, obtaining business valuations, and other important considerations around businesses.
- CorporationUnderstand how corporations are divided during separation, valuing a corporation, identifying ownership and share structure, and important considerations.
- PensionsUnderstand pension division during your separation, types of pensions that are divided, and different methods to divide your pension.
- CPPLearn about Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) Division, how CPP credit splitting works, and the option to waive your right to division.
- RRSPLearn how RRSPs are handled during separation.
- RESPUnderstand how RESPs are dealt with in a Separation Agreement.
- Financial AccountsLearn how to divide financial accounts in your Separation Agreement
- VehiclesLearn about practical ways vehicles are handled during a separation.
- Other PropertyLearn about how to include "other property" and person property in your agreement.
- LiabilitiesUnderstand how liabilities factor into property division and how debt is divided.
- Equalization PaymentUnderstand what an Equalization Payment is and how it's calculated.
- Excluded PropertyLearn about excluded property and when it applies.
- Unequal DivisionLearn about unequal division of property and what factors might apply.
- Valuing PropertyUnderstand how asset values are determined, valuation dates, and when you don't need valuations.