Surviving Your Divorce : A Guide to Canadian Family Law

Divorce is tough. It's hard to understand and deal with the legal and financial consequences of a break-up during an emotionally charged time. Many questions plague those going through a divorce or relationship breakdown: Am I eligible for spousal support? Will I get custody of my children? How can I find and hire a good lawyer? Are there alternatives to a lengthy and messy court battle? How ill divorce affect my tax situation and personal finances? Surviving Your Divorce is a highly readable guide that answers these and other questions, explaining the legal issues and options available to married and common-law couples going through divorce or separation. Harness all the knowledge this vital resource has to offer. Surviving Your Divorce Is written in non-legal language, this easy-to-read guide offers clear and candid advice on the entire process. Covers every aspect of relationship breakdown, divorce, and separation; emotional stages of marriage breakdown, child custody, property division, support, domestic violence, rights of common-law spouses, wills, what to tell the children and more. Provides tips and strategies that may help you save thousands of dollars in legal fees. Includes samples of key legal and financial documents, anecdotes and examples, and a glossary of legal terms. Comprehensive resource section The highlights of the updated edition include new information on causes of marriage breakdown and separation; when you need legal aid; provincial guidelines for child support payments; changes in legislation regarding common-law and same-sex marria≥ the issue of parental alienation; DNA and paternity; marriages of convenience; mediation and arbitration practices; the rights of grandparents in divorce situations; fraudulent behavior, for example, hiding assets; pensions and will and estate planning; the need for family law reform, and much more.

Michael Cochrane, LL.B., has been practicing law in Ontario for over 30 years. He is the author of numerous books on family law, including Do We Need a Marriage Contract? and Do We Need a Cohabitation Agreement? He has hosted Strictly Legal, a legal affairs program on BNN, and has been a guest legal expert on programs such as Canada AM., Counterspin, and As It Happens. For his speaking schedule and further information, visit www.michaelcochrane.ca.