Episodes

  • The Legal Requirements Around Sharing Information About Children After Separation
    Jan 5 2025

    From the comments and requests of followers, it seems that a lot of separated parents have difficulty getting information about their kids - whether it be from schools, or health care providers or in relation to activities or from other agencies that are involved in kids’ lives. This is a question that I am asked a lot. Those followers have come up with complex applications of several laws to access information. Getting information about your kids after separation should not be that hard. Difficulty getting that information may be an indication of parental alienation. In this episode of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, Certified Specialist in Family Law, ⁠John Schuman⁠, explains how parents can use the law to make sure that get important information about their kids. He goes over the general family law provisions that should get parents the information they need. John looks specifically at the rules around obtaining information about children’s education and explains how things get more complicated when a child turns 18. He also goes over health information and explains how getting that type of information is subject to different considerations. In doing so, he points out the legal authorities that parents need to know. If you found this episode helpful, check out these episodes on similar topics: 101. https://youtu.be/At_40O5K9lE 100. https://youtu.be/PpMQsUgj-fk 79. https://youtu.be/lTWqEUvz6GM 78. https://youtu.be/b-YoAMcHj6s 75. https://youtu.be/qhDb9Gxa2wo 74. https://youtu.be/WnRRYHWhGv8 61. https://youtu.be/-wsOQ4Y5O8M 59. https://youtu.be/uHtqHpJaSzI 38. https://youtu.be/T8HHEciO1oo

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    12 mins
  • What Happens At Parental Alienation Treatment Programs According to Courtroom Testimony
    Dec 24 2024

    When parents are cut off from their kids after separation, or have serious relationship problems with them, they might ask Family Court Judges to fix to fix the problem by ordering an “alienation workshop.” Those programs promise to fix the problem in a few days. However, several jurisdictions have banned parental alienation workshops. The reasons relate to what happens at those programs, and sometimes that they can perpetuate family violence. The treatment protocols of these programs are trade secrets and so the program providers do not publish exactly what they do.

    But, In this episode of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, Certified Specialist in Family Law, John Schuman, reveals what, through litigating parental alienation cases, he saw program providers testify. He has obtained the transcripts of what they said. In this episode he plays those transcripts so parents can find out exactly what happens at parental alienation treatment programs.

    Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube. If you found this episode helpful, check out these episodes on similar topics: 100. Why Hearing from Kids in Divorce is Important and DANGEROUS! 78. ⁠The Rights of Grandparents and other family Members to See Kids⁠ 75. ⁠When Can You Legally Stop Your Ex From Seeing the Kids?⁠ 74. ⁠Travelling with Kids After Seperation⁠ 61. ⁠Can You Move With the Kids After Separation or Divorce?⁠ 59. ⁠Why You Won't Get Custody of Your Kids

    The Ontario Family Law Podcast is a companion to the book, Guide to the Basics of Ontario Family Law. The latest edition, which is up-to-date on all important divorce issues is now available. Get it as a $⁠⁠⁠⁠9.99 Kindle eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠ , or as an ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Book for your iPad or iPhone ⁠⁠⁠⁠. Also, you can get it as a ⁠⁠⁠⁠paperback or hard cover from Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠ or at better bookstores.


    TO CONTACT JOHN SCHUMAN: website: www.schumanlaw.ca email: john@schumanlaw.ca Phone: 647-352-6775

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    24 mins
  • Why Hearing from Kids in Divorce is Important and DANGEROUS!
    Nov 9 2024

    When parents separate, particularly when there is a lot of conflict, it is common for one parent to say that it is important to listen to what the kids want. That parent wants the other parent, or a judge or arbitrator, to listen to the opinion of the children when setting up parenting arrangements after separation. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child requires that children be heard in matters that affect them. But, insisting that the other parent, a judge or any other authority listen to the children is one of the most dangerous things that a parent can do. In some circumstances, judges view a parent making that request as evidence that parent should not be caring for the children at all. In this episode of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, Certified Specialist in Family Law, John Schuman explains why listening to what kids want in the separation and divorce process is a complicated issue. He explains why what kids have to say on child custody issues can be important, but asking them what child custody or parenting arrangements should be after separation is both dangerous in court and harmful to the child. There are some things that judge, arbitrators and parenting mediators want to hear the children's perspective on, and some others things that indicate parental alienation or child abuse. Listening to kids in divorce is both important and dangerous. This video gives crucial legal tips on how to navigate the perils of hearing from children on child custody and parenting issues. Check out the video version on YouTube.

    See the Everclear video here.

    If you found this episode helpful, check out these episodes on similar topics: 79. What Am I Legally Required To Do First After Separating? 78. The Rights of Grandparents and other family Members to See Kids 75. When Can You Legally Stop Your Ex From Seeing the Kids? 74. Travelling with Kids After Seperation 61. Can You Move With the Kids After Separation or Divorce? 59. Why You Won't Get Custody of Your Kids The Ontario Family Law Podcast is a companion to the book, Guide to the Basics of Ontario Family Law. The latest edition, which is up-to-date on all important divorce issues is now available. Get it as a $⁠⁠⁠9.99 Kindle eBook⁠⁠⁠ , or as an ⁠⁠⁠Apple Book for your iPad or iPhone ⁠⁠⁠. Also, you can get it as a ⁠⁠⁠paperback or hard cover from Amazon⁠⁠⁠ or at better bookstores.


    TO CONTACT JOHN SCHUMAN: website: www.schumanlaw.ca email: john@schumanlaw.ca Phone: 647-352-6775

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    12 mins
  • When Can You Throw Out Your Ex?
    Aug 25 2024

    What happens if spouses separate – their relationship is over - but one spouse refuses to move out? There can be a lot of tension, maybe even violence because of the bad feelings and conflict in the home. Nobody wants to keep living with an ex. Moving out can cause legal problems for the spouse that leaves, so both spouses may want to stay in the house. That's a bad situation. So, in this episode of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, Certified Specialist, John Schuman explains when can one spouse can just toss the other one out. A ⁠video version of this episode is available on Youtube⁠.

    WARNING - THIS EPISODE CONTAINS DISCUSSION OF FAMILY VIOLENCE If you found this episode helpful, check out these episodes on similar topics: 96. https://youtu.be/LIWar4J_vO8 91. ⁠Should One Spouse Leave the House on Separation? ⁠ 88. ⁠Can You Be Legally Separated and Not Know It? 80. When Can I Throw Out My Ex's Stuff? 79. What Am I Legally Required To Do First After Separating? ⁠⁠⁠ 75. When Can You Legally Stop Your Ex From Seeing the Kids?

    63. What Can You Do With a Marriage Contract? 42. How to Get a “Legal Separation” in Ontario The Ontario Family Law Podcast is a companion to the book, Guide to the Basics of Ontario Family Law. The latest edition, which is up-to-date on all important divorce issues is now available. Get it as a $⁠⁠⁠9.99 Kindle eBook⁠⁠⁠ , or as an ⁠⁠⁠Apple Book for your iPad or iPhone ⁠⁠⁠. Also, you can get it as a ⁠⁠⁠paperback or hard cover from Amazon⁠⁠⁠ or at better bookstores.


    TO CONTACT JOHN SCHUMAN: website: www.schumanlaw.ca email: john@schumanlaw.ca Phone: 647-352-6775

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    8 mins
  • 7 Big Costly Child Support Mistakes
    Aug 22 2024

    The Child Support Guidelines was supposed to make child support easy, predictable and fair. They are supposed to result in separated parents spending as much o their kids as they would if the family was together. Yet, child support remains very controversial. Often that is because people get chid support wrong. So, in this episode of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, Certified Specialist in Family Law, John Schuman, explains seven common child support mistakes that cost people big - and how to avoid them.


    This episode covers how to calculate base child support and when that may be different from what people expect. Also, it explains contributions to section 7 expenses. On addition, it also goes over what is, and is not, a proper section 7 expense. Finally, it covers some important tax considerations for child support.


    If you found this episode helpful, check out these episodes on similar topics:

    90. ⁠5 Family Law Fails⁠

    89. ⁠⁠Is Child Support Ever Too Much?

    81. ⁠⁠Can Separated Parents Agree to No Child Support?⁠

    76. ⁠⁠Why Your Income for Taxes May Not Be Your Income for Child Support (or Spousal Support)

    66.. ⁠⁠How to Change Child Support

    54. Child Support Does Not End at Age 18⁠

    53. How to Pay Less Child Support


    The Ontario Family Law Podcast is a companion to the book, Guide to the Basics of Ontario Family Law. The latest edition, which is up-to-date on all important divorce issues is now available. Get it as a $⁠⁠9.99 Kindle eBook⁠⁠ , or as an ⁠⁠Apple Book for your iPad or iPhone ⁠⁠. Also, you can get it as a ⁠⁠paperback or hard cover from Amazon⁠⁠ or at better bookstores.


    TO CONTACT JOHN SCHUMAN: website: www.schumanlaw.ca email: john@schumanlaw.ca Phone: 416-446-5080

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    11 mins
  • Do You Really Need a Prenup (Marriage Contract or Cohabitation Agreement)?
    Aug 1 2024

    Considering moving in with someone? Or getting married? There is lots of advice out there that you really should get a cohabitation agreement or marriage contract. But, that sounds really unromantic. Is it really necessary? For some people, having a cohabitation agreement results in a more steady, predictable and long-lasting relationship. For others, it can result in savings of hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars – and also avoids a lot of bitterness about how family law works. For others, a cohabitation agreement does nothing. In this episode of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, Certified Specialist in Family Law, John Schuman, explains what cohabitation agreements can do, and when they make enough sense to get one despite how unromantic they seem. He also says when they make no sense, so there is no need to kill the mood.


    If you found this episode helpful, check out these episodes on similar topics:

    96. If You Let Your Partner Move In, Will They Get Your House? 93. ⁠How to Lose Assets in a Divorce⁠ 92. ⁠How to Protect Your Assets in a Marriage or Relationship⁠ 63. ⁠What Can You Do With a Marriage Contract?⁠ 42. ⁠How to Get a Legal Separation in Ontario?⁠

    30. Spousal Support Entitlement


    Check out the video version of ⁠this episode on YouTube⁠.

    The Ontario Family Law Podcast is a companion to the book, Guide to the Basics of Ontario Family Law. The latest edition, which is up-to-date on all important divorce issues is now available. Get it as a $⁠9.99 Kindle eBook⁠ , or as an ⁠Apple Book for your iPad or iPhone ⁠. You can also get it as a ⁠paperback or hard cover from Amazon⁠ or at better bookstores. TO CONTACT JOHN SCHUMAN: website: www.schumanlaw.ca email: john@schumanlaw.ca Phone: 416-446-5080

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    9 mins
  • If You Let Your Partner Move In, Will They Get Your House?
    Aug 1 2024

    One of the most cost common family lawyer questions is: “If I let my partner move in with me, will her or she get half of my home?” Or, put another way, "Does living common law mean giving up half your house?" Unfortunately, this is another one of those times when a lawyer is going to tell you “It depends.” The Ontario Family Law Statutes were written so that there was a quick simple straightforward answer. And then judges made it complicated. In this episode of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, Certified Specialist in Family Law, John Schuman, explains whether letting your partner live common law means giving your him or her half of your stuff. If you found this episode helpful, check out these episodes on similar topics: 93. How to Lose Assets in a Divorce 92. How to Protect Your Assets in a Marriage or Relationship 91. Should One Spouse Leave the House on Separation? 88. Can You Be Legally Separated and Not Know It? 63. What Can You Do With a Marriage Contract? 42. How to Get a Legal Separation in Ontario?

    Check out the video version of this episode on YouTube.

    The Ontario Family Law Podcast is a companion to the book, Guide to the Basics of Ontario Family Law. The latest edition, which is up-to-date on all important divorce issues is now available. Get it as a $9.99 Kindle eBook , or as an Apple Book for your iPad or iPhone . You can also get it as a paperback or hard cover from Amazon or at better bookstores. TO CONTACT JOHN SCHUMAN: website: www.schumanlaw.ca email: john@schumanlaw.ca Phone: 416-446-5080

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    10 mins
  • Where should You Get Divorced
    May 19 2024

    When separated spouses live in different countries or provinces, they may wonder where the best place would be to get divorced. Where the separated spouses now live in different places, it may be possible to chose where the divorce will occur. Different jurisdictions have different laws. Often it can be more advantageous for one spouse to get divorced in one jurisdiction over another. To answer the question of a follower, Certified Specialist in Family Law, John Schuman, discuss the considerations in deciding where to get divorced. He answers questions like: 1. When can a married couple can chose different places to get divorced? 2. If someone gets divorced outside Canada, will Canada recognize the divorce as valid? 3. How does someone determine where would be best to get a divorce? 4. If the spouse cannot agree, how will courts decide where the divorce will happen? 5. How does the place of divorce affect issues like child support, spousal support, property division and parenting? If you found this episode helpful, check out these episodes on similar topics: 55. Can You Get Divorced in Canada? 67. How Long Does it Take to Get an Ontario Divorce? 89. Can Child Support Be Reduced for High Income Earners? 72. Why Might a Judge Refuse an Ontario Divorce? 75. When Can You Legally Stop Your Ex from Seeing the Kids? 60. ⁠Should You Take Your Ex to Family Court?⁠⁠

    The Ontario Family Law Podcast is a companion to the book, Guide to the Basics of Ontario Family Law. The latest edition, which is up-to-date on all important divorce issues is now available. Get it as a $8.99 Kindle eBook, or as an Apple Book for your iPad or iPhone. You can also get it as a paper back or hardcover on Amazon at better bookstores. TO CONTACT JOHN SCHUMAN: website: www.schumanlaw.ca email: john@schumanlaw.ca Phone: 416-446-5080

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    12 mins