Posts filed under ‘spousal support’
I am pleased to announce the launch of a new product called: The Smart Divorce® Resource Tool Kit. The purpose of the Tool Kit is to provide organizations, lawyers, mental health professionals and others in the divorce arena with a resource to help their employees and clients divorce with focus, hope and confidence. The Smart Divorce® Resource Tool Kit is one very smart package developed specifically to meet an individual’s needs.
This valuable Tool Kit is designed to reduce stress, educate and inform about the many aspects of the divorce process, and is cost effective and easy to understand.
Divorce or a breakdown of a co-habitation relationship is an extremely emotional process. While divorce is a personal matter the emotional impact can spill over into the workplace suddenly making it a public affair. There are so many unknowns about divorce that people are often confused, filled with fear and unsure of how to navigate the process. In an effort to better heal and deal with divorce process privately, many individuals seek therapeutic counseling. However, not all therapists are equipped to help their patients understand the specifics of divorce to alleviate many of their concerns i.e. the legal process, financial impact or custody and access issues. As a result, an individual’s world is temporarily turned upside down, triggering unsettling and distressful emotions. The effects of the emotional distress in the workplace can be devastating.
On a classic rating scale of stressful life events, divorce consistently ranks No. 2–second only to the death of a spouse or child. The process of getting divorced is an emotional roller coaster which can impact people’s ability to be mindful on the job. Although divorce is primarily a personal heartbreak, the effects spill into the workplace; at the extreme – costing one to lose their job – not to mention a good portion of their wealth, and it can even affect the organization’s reputation. People often feel overburdened and lack confidence; it is not surprising how many buckle under the pressure.
It is well documented that divorce reduces worker productivity. If one were to do a cost benefit analysis of the effects of divorce in the workplace, one would find that the financial costs to the organization can be enormous.
I understand only too well how devastating the emotions of divorce can be, taking over the legal process while wreaking havoc on one’s career, causing a meltdown on so many fronts, and the difficulty in overcoming the challenges of raising children on your own. It is for these reasons that I created The Smart Divorce® Resource Tool Kit. I know how important it is to treat your divorce as a business transaction, and arm yourself with as much information as possible.
The Smart Divorce Resource Tool Kit includes:
The Smart Divorce Audios. These unique and informative audios provide tips and strategies to help navigate this difficult time, educate listeners about the divorce process and provide practical information on getting through divorce with clarity.
- Audio 1 – The Emotional Divorce
- Audio 2– The Legal Divorce
- Audio 3 – Smart Co-Parenting: Putting Your Children’s Best Interests First
- Audio 4 – Rebuilding Your Life Post Divorce
Smart Guides. 12 very valuable tip sheets that support the information in the audios and cover other important issues; providing detail, strategies and tips for managing a specific divorce related topic.
In addition to the extensive information available in The Smart Divorce Resource Tool Kit, some organizations may also find it beneficial to offer workshops. These presentations will provide greater clarity about divorce and managing through the process, in an effort to minimize stress, while maximizing an employee’s attention at work during this often distracting time.
The Smart Divorce® facilitator guided workshop
- Workshop 1- The Smart Divorce. A 1 ½ hour overview of the divorce process based on the book, The Smart Divorce. The divorce process in explained in broad terms, while providing an understanding of the emotional divorce and the legal divorce
- Workshop 2- Strengthening the Blended Family Bonds. A one hour presentation focusing on considerations when blending families.
Note: Each workshop includes PowerPoint presentation and facilitator script.
Don’t miss out on the introductory offer and save $50 when you place an order a minimum order of 10 kits. Or, try it out and order just one Toolkit.
For more information click on the link. To learn more about this unique and innovative program, and how it may help your organization or practice, please contact Deborah Moskovitch at info@thesmartdivorce.com.
The Smart Divorce Resource Tool Kit _ Flyer
May 27, 2011 at 5:37 pm
Taking Charge of Your Separation and Divorce
impact – options – opportunities
I was part of a “one stop” information panel of experts discussing the emotional, legal, financial, and child aspects of divorce. I thought the handouts provided would be very helpful…….the information if provided both within this post, as well as attached within a pdf.
Being smart about divorce means arming yourself with as much information as possible…..here’s a start.
THE SMART DIVORCE®
Handout- The Smart Divorce
What is A Smart Divorce?
The Smart Divorce process will help you to:
- understand the “emotional divorce” versus the “legal divorce”
- understand the various dispute resolutions available
- make informed decisions
- minimize the financial, legal and emotional stress
Be SMART about your divorce.
State your goals and objectives at the beginning. Make sure these are realistic.
Maximize your information and knowledge base.
Avoid reacting to your emotions.
Retain the best possible divorce team your budget allows.
Treat your divorce as a business transaction.
How to start The Smart Divorce
- Develop your support network – therapist/supportive counselor, support groups, clergy, divorce consultant and friends.
- Choose your lawyer carefully – interview 3 family law lawyers.
- Be informed. Understand the dispute resolutions: Do-It-Yourself; Negotiation; Mediation; Collaborative Family Law; Arbitration; Litigation; private companies who offer divorce mediation/resolution.
- Put your children’s best interests first.
- Hire the right team of professionals based on your needs – parenting expert; financial adviser and others.
- Get your finances in order.
- Stay organized – create your divorce notebook and divorce journal.
- Have a vision for how you want your life to unfold and develop strategies to get there.
You may contact Deborah by email at info@thesmartdivorce.com
or, by calling her office at 905.695.0270
Deborah Moskovitch is a divorce consultant and educator, and author of The Smart Divorce: Proven Strategies and Valuable Advice from 100 Top Divorce Lawyers, Financial Advisers, Counselors and Other Experts. Deborah has become an opinion leader in the media and has shared her insights and research on television and radio to explain that divorce can be managed in smarter ways.
Copyright ©2010 The Smart Divorce® and Deborah Moskovitch
All rights reserved. No portion of this material may be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of Deborah Moskovitch and The Smart Divorce.
Legal considerations
“Taking Charge of Your Separation/Divorce”
Handout – Legal considerations
Presentation by:
Wendy E. Best, Q.C.
Dunphy Best Blocksom LLP
February 25, 2010
1. Custody/parenting
(i) shared
(ii) joint
(iii) sole
2. Child Support
(i) Federal Child Support Guidelines
(ii) Alberta Child Support Guidelines
(iii) base table support
(iv) Section 7 expenses
(a) child care expenses incurred for employment, illness or education
(b) medical/dental insurance premiums re: child
(c) health/dental expenses over insurance by at least $100/year (ortho, counselling, physio, drugs, glasses)
(d) extraordinary expenses for primary or secondary school
(e) post secondary expenses
(f) extraordinary extracurricular expenses
(v) split custody
(vi) shared custody (40% of time)
(vii) incomes over $150,000
(viii) undue hardship
(ix) retroactive
(x) disclosure
3. Spousal Support
(xi) Divorce Act
(xii) Family Law Act/Adult Interdependent Relationships Act
(xiii) Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines
(xiv) entitlement
(xv) periodic
(xvi) lump sum
(xvii) combination
4. Property
(i) What is property
(ii) unmarried: constructive trust/unjust enrichment
(iii) married: Matrimonial Property Act
(a) exemptions
(i) gifts from third parties
(ii) inheritance
(iii) owned before marriage
(iv) damages in tort
(v) insurance policy (not re: property)
(b) increase in value of exempt property – 13 factors
(c) transfer into joint names
(d) all other property acquired – presumption of equal sharing
(e) property (assets/debts) acquired after separation or changes in value
(f) gifts or non bona fide transfers
(g) exclusive possession of matrimonial home
5. Miscellaneous/Common Misunderstandings
(i) divorce
(ii) legal separation
(iii) abandonment
(iv) conduct
(v) what to expect/ask in your first consult
Financial Considerations
7 Secrets to a Successful Divorce
Handout- 7 Secrets to a Successful Divorce
Divorce demands financial decision-making that will alter the rest of your life. Most people have no knowledge of the specifics of the finances of divorce. Most people are too emotional to make sound financial decisions regarding their future. Quite often poor choices are made, choices that are permanent. You must educate yourself on the finances of your divorce.
We have a deep and personal understanding of the financial implications of divorce. At Alberta Divorce Finances, we empower men and women going through divorce by educating them on the financial and tax implications of the decisions that they will make in their own divorce.
A 50/50 Property Split is Not Always Equal
What do you need to know to ensure that your settlement is both fair and equitable?
- 1. Money will almost always become an issue in divorce
- 2. Understand that a 50/50 division of property is not always equal
- 3. Make sure that you can afford to keep the house before you settle this matter
- 4. Understand the “true” value of your investments and RRSPs
- 5. Ensure that Pensions are valued properly.
- 6. Ensure that the payor of child and/or spousal support has Life Insurance to fulfill future support obligations.
- Many divorce decisions have implications for your tax return
Divorce is a very difficult and very emotional time and bad decisions are made under stress. You must become educated on “what you need to know” about the finances of your divorce.
Visit: Alberta Divorce Finances.com
Child Considerations
HELPING KIDS THROUGH SEPARATION/DIVORCE:
Handout – HELPING KIDS THROUGH SEPARATION
v The way in which parents manage their separation/divorce impacts their children; each individual can
make a difference by their OWN choice of behaviors
v In separation/divorce, co-parents need to shift their former intimate relationship to that of neutral
business associates linked for the long-term in the “business of co-parenting”
v Children’s needs and feelings should be a priority; they require reassurance that they are loved by
both parents and belong to both parents and extended families
v Giving kids permission and opportunities to be attached and to maintain relationships with both
parents/families is important to their well being and growth/development
(*some exceptions: family violence, substance abuse, profound mental health issues)
v Conflict is typically a part of separation/divorce; how it is managed has an impact on outcomes for
children; kids need to be kept out of “adult issues” including parent conflict and encouraged to regain
and resume their own life pursuits to meet their developmental ages/stages
v Most often children view separation/divorce differently than the adults involved as they do not always
see it as a way of improving their life; parents can be sensitive to this difference in perspective
v Children need understanding and guidance to manage and communicate their unique feelings and
behaviors through the process of separation/divorce
v Shame, blame and embarrassment are feelings that children may express; they need reassurance and age
appropriate explanations that separation/divorce is not their fault
v Attention to the variety of loss/grief reactions of both adults and kids is important through
separation/divorce; Examples: sadness, anxiety, fear, anger and feeling physically unwell
v Parents may be less available for their children particularly in the first year of separation/divorce
(“diminished parenting”); this may negatively impact kids outcomes as they need their parents most at
this time of change and transitions
v When possible, minimizing and “pacing” the multiple changes in their lives as a result of the
separation/divorce is helpful for kids; strive for predictability and routines
v Transitioning between two households can be difficult for some children; each parent can help their
children to manage this challenge with sensitivity, organization and support
v A Parenting Plan is an essential working document that helps provide a framework for adults and
children to manage the separation/divorce; a detailed plan that is reviewed regularly helps address the
family’s changing needs
v An individual’s influence and/or control with their co-parent is typically limited; their focus and energy
is better placed on developing a consistent life with their children in their own home
(Sandy Shuler, B.S.W., R.S.W., C.C.F.E. 2010. Reproduction only by permission. Sandy is the Co-author of the established “Effective Co-Parenting: Putting Kids First” program; Co-author of “Groupworks: training for small group facilitators” Developer of the “Fairway Divorce Solutions Nurtured Children Parent Education Seminar”;
Sandy is Director/Consultant of Family Life Works Inc.; www.familylifeworks.ca; 403-540-5608)
April 13, 2010 at 9:08 pm
THE SMART DIVORCE® SEMINAR
A SMART CLIENT IS A BETTER CLIENT
A VALUABLE SEMINAR ABOUT THE DIVORCE PROCESS:
HEAR FROM THE BENCH, THE BAR AND THE TRENCHES
Saturday, November 21, 2009 Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Location: Fairview Library, Room 2 – Lower Level
Registration Fee: $65.00, including G.S.T.
Speakers include: Deborah Moskovitch, Divorce Consultant and author of The Smart Divorce, and recently retired Family Law Lawyer Marilynne Cass, with Featured Guest Speaker: Mr. Justice Harvey Brownstone of the Ontario Family Court and author of the bestselling book Tug of War
If you are either contemplating or currently going through a divorce, this seminar offers you strategies and tips for successfully navigating the divorce process. You will learn about the differences between the “emotional divorce” and the “legal divorce”, emphasizing the scope and limitations of the legal process. You will also hear what you can and should be doing to better move your own case towards resolution. Your will learn how to avoid the emotional pitfalls, anticipate the financial hurdles and understand the litigation limitations. You will be better prepared to move forward with focus, hope and confidence while saving time and money –and your sanity!
Topics that will be discussed:
• Understanding Divorce: Exploring the “emotional divorce” versus the “legal divorce” and how to effectively manage the process.
• Working with Your Lawyer: It’s a job for both you and your lawyer. What you should be doing to make the process most cost effective.
• Getting Your Life in Order for the Divorce Process: How to organize your paperwork to cut down on legal expenses.
• Parenting throughout divorce: Exploring the “emotional divorce” versus the “legal, what children are going through; and putting your children’s best interest first.
• Moving from Mom’s house to Dad’s house – Understanding custody and co-parenting arrangements; developing a parenting plan; and parenting after divorce.
• The legal process and dispute resolutions. What this means and how to develop realistic expectation to manage the divorce process more cost effectively.
• Understanding how child and spousal support are determined. The financial paperwork you need to prepare, and the issues to consider regarding the matrimonial home and much more.
• Finally, you will have the unique opportunity to learn from a judge: how rulings are decided, the importance of using a lawyer, what happens to the self represented litigant
and, putting your children’s best interests first. You will gain valuable insight into what really goes on in the family court room.
To reserve your spot:
Call Deborah Moskovitch at 905-695-0270,
Marilynne Cass at 647-200-7318
or email info@thesmartdivorce.com
September 14, 2009 at 6:13 pm
The issue of parent alienation has been front and center in the media recently, and deserves the attention. It’s the children who live out the divorce and deal with the toxic reality of conflict.
Justice Harvey Brownstone, a family court judge in Toronto, wrote an insightful essay which appears in The Globe and Mail, on what he described as “a prevalent concern in high-conflict custody litigation.” The link to this article, which every parent should read, is below.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090425.COESSAY25ART1958/TPStory/?query=harvey+brownstone
Justice Brownstone raises significant issues which parents need to consider. However, it is important for parents to look at their own behavior and consider how this might be affecting the relationship with their children.
My response to this serious issue of parent/child relationships appears in today’s Globe and Mail – letters to the editor.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090428.COLETTS28ART1951-6/TPStory/?query=deborah+moskovitch
If you are wondering whether or not my comments ring true, read on for a real life example of someone who paid the price dearly, and suffered significant damage as a result of parent alienation.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090429.LETTERS29ART2018-6/TPStory/?query=deborah+moskovitch
It’s a parent’s responsibility to give their children the best life possible -this means being mature enough to
put your feelings aside
and do what is in the best interests of your children.
April 28, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Divorce is a process:
- understand the “emotional divorce” versus the “legal divorce”
- understand the various dispute resolutions available
- make informed decisions
- minimize the financial, legal and emotional stress
Be SMART about your divorce
tate your goals and objectives at the beginning. Make sure these are realistic.
aximize your information and knowledge base.
void reacting to your emotions.
etain the best possible divorce team your budget allows.
reat your divorce as a business transaction.
How to start The Smart Divorce
- Develop your support network – therapist, support groups, clergy, divorce consultant and friends.
- Choose your lawyer carefully – go to a consultation before you decide to retain
- Be informed. Understand the dispute resolutions – do-it-yourself; negotiation; mediation; collaborative family law; arbitration; litigation.
- Put your children’s best interests first.
- Hire the right team of professionals based on your needs – parenting expert; financial adviser and others.
- Get your finances in order.
- Stay organized – create your divorce notebook and divorce journal.
- Have a vision for how you want your life to unfold and develop strategies to get there.
February 12, 2008 at 2:00 pm
There is a way to have a smart divorce and move on in a healthier, less painful way. Hi, I’m Deborah Moskovitch, a divorce consultant and educator and author of
The Smart Divorce: Proven Strategies and Valuable Advice from 100 Top Divorce Lawyers, Financial Advisers, Counselors and Other Experts.
I created this blog for the same reason that I wrote the The Smart Divorce. I realized that most people going through divorce are confused and don’t know where to turn to for information. I learned that many people feel alone and are looking for some impartial advice. That is what I provide through “The Smart Divorce”—the understanding and education about the divorce process so that people can make decisions with confidence and move on with the rest of their lives – intact and without regret.
Use this blog as your support group, educator and guide. I invite you to share your comments, ideas, thoughts, concerns, feelings….anything and everything about divorce. You will see, you’re not alone. I also invite you to visit my website at www.thesmartdivorce.com. The secret to being smart about divorce means managing the emotional side and the legal side of divorce separately. If you can do this, you are likely to save time, trouble, and money on your way to a smart divorce and a better life. We have a responsibility to ourselves, our children, our future and their future. I look forward to hearing from you………Deborah
February 11, 2008 at 5:21 pm
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