Guides and resources
Everything you need to understandwhat comes next.
No legal jargon. No scare tactics. 60 clear, honest guides on separation, parenting, support, money and taking care of yourself, for families across Canada and the United States.
Featured guide
Your complete parenting plan guide
Every decision you'll need to make for your children, from daily schedules and holidays to healthcare, education, travel and what happens if circumstances change. Everything family courts and mediators across North America expect parents to address, written for real families.
Read the full guideGetting started
Understand your options before you make any decisions.
Trial separation: how to set one up so it actually helps
What a trial separation is, how to set one up with written terms on money, kids, dating and a time limit, and what it means legally in Canada and the US.
NewGetting startedHow to tell your partner you want to separate
How to tell your partner you want to separate: timing, setting, what to say and avoid, sample scripts, safety first, and what to do in the 48 hours after.
Getting startedHow long does separation take? Realistic timelines from first conversation to final decree
From the decision to the signed agreement to the divorce order. The legal minimums in Canada and the US, the practical timelines by route, and what actually makes it slow.
Getting startedSeparated but still living together: how it works legally and how to survive it
Housing costs keep more separated couples under one roof than ever. Here is what "separate and apart" means when you share a kitchen, how to protect yourself legally, and the house rules that keep it civil.
Getting startedSeparating when there is abuse: safety planning, protective orders, and when FairWell is not the right tool
Family violence changes the order of operations. Safety comes before paperwork. What protection the law offers in Canada and the US, how to plan a safe exit, and why a collaborative document tool can be the wrong starting point.
Getting startedYour separation date controls everything. Here is how to establish it.
One date sets your property valuation, when support can start, and the clock on limitation periods. Most couples never write it down. Here is why it matters and how to fix it.
Getting startedHow Separation Works in Canada | Step-by-Step Guide
The first 30 days, the decisions that need to be made, the paperwork, and what timeline is realistic. A plain-language guide to the separation process in Canada and the US.
Money and property
The documents, formulas and decisions that shape your financial future.
Selling a home when you're both still living in it
A sale can work while you both live in the home. It takes ground rules for showings, one point of contact and a price set by the market. Here is how I plan it.
NewMoney and propertyHow I price and market a home when the sale matters to two people
The market sets the price, not me and not either of you. How I read the market, show my work to both of you and market a home to the right buyers.
NewMoney and propertyWhere do you go next after a separation?
Start with how you want to live, then see what the market offers. A realtor's plain guide to finding a new home when you separate.
NewMoney and propertyDividing household belongings and the car after separation
How to divide furniture, sentimental items, photos, digital accounts and the car fairly after separation, and what to do if your ex takes things.
NewMoney and propertyBuying out your spouse's share of the house: how it works in Canada and the US
How a house buyout works at separation: appraisal, equity maths with an example, refinancing alone, the stress test, transfer taxes and title timing.
NewMoney and propertyProperty division in a US divorce: community property, equitable distribution and what is actually shared
How US divorce property division works: community property vs equitable distribution, separate property, commingling, the house, QDROs and debts.
Money and propertyDividing a business or professional practice at separation
The company is usually the biggest and least liquid asset in the marriage. How businesses get valued, what "double dipping" means, and the three ways couples actually settle it.
Money and propertyGrey divorce: separating after 55 and what it does to retirement
Separation later in life has different maths. Fewer earning years, pensions already in payment, adult children, a home you planned to age in. What changes, and how to protect a retirement that was built for two.
Money and propertyHidden assets in separation: the warning signs and what you can actually do
Most spouses don't hide assets. Some do, and the patterns are surprisingly consistent. How to spot them, what disclosure law gives you, and when to bring in a forensic accountant.
Money and propertyJoint debt at separation: who pays what, and why the bank doesn't care about your agreement
Credit cards, lines of credit, car loans and the mortgage. How debt is divided between separating spouses, what your agreement can and can't do, and how to protect your credit.
Money and propertyLife insurance as security for support: the clause most agreements get wrong
If the paying parent dies, child support dies with them unless something replaces it. Life insurance is the standard answer, but the clause has to be specific. Amount, ownership, beneficiary, proof and what happens when it lapses.
Money and propertyPensions at separation: CPP credit splitting, workplace pensions and QDROs
The pension is often worth more than the house and it is the asset most often forgotten. How defined benefit and defined contribution plans are valued and divided in Canada and the US.
Money and propertyRESPs, 529 plans and the kids' education savings at separation
Education savings belong to the account owner, not the child, which surprises most parents. How RESPs and 529 plans are treated in separation, what happens to government grants, and how to lock the money to its purpose.
Money and propertyWhat divorce actually costs in Canada, province by province
Court fees, typical lawyer retainers, mediation rates and the realistic total for each route, so you can plan instead of guess. Ranges, not promises, and where to verify the current figures.
Money and propertyWhat divorce actually costs in the US, state by state
Filing fees, attorney rates, mediation and the realistic total for each route. How community property and equitable distribution states differ, and where the big costs come from.
Money and propertyWho gets the dog? Pets in separation law, and how to write a pet clause that works
For most of legal history a pet was property, like a couch. That is changing in parts of Canada and the US. How courts now decide, what you can agree on, and a clause you can actually use.
Money and propertyHow separation affects your taxes in Canada
Separation and taxes in Canada, what changes, what you need to tell CRA, and the common mistakes that cost money in the first tax year after you separate.
Money and propertyHow to rebuild financially after separation, a realistic 12-month plan
Financial recovery after separation, a realistic 12-month framework from establishing individual accounts to rebuilding retirement savings and reviewing insurance.
Money and propertyMortgage after separation, what happens to the home loan when you split
What happens to the mortgage when you separate, the three options, the buyout mechanics, and why a joint mortgage after separation puts both credit scores at risk.
Money and propertyProperty Division at Separation: How It Works Across Canada
Ontario's equalization model, BC's equal division rules, what counts as excluded property, and what most people overlook. Plain-language property division guide for Canada.
Money and propertyUS tax implications of divorce, what changes after you file
US divorce tax implications, filing status changes, the 2018 TCJA alimony rule shift, QDROs for retirement accounts, and the home sale exclusion timing.
Child and spousal support
How child and spousal support are actually calculated, and what moves the number.
Alimony in the US: types, how much, how long and what changed for taxes
How US alimony works: types of spousal support, the factors courts weigh, state formulas, tax rules after 2018, modification and when it ends.
NewChild and spousal supportChild support in the US: how it is calculated, changed and enforced
How US child support works: state guideline models, what counts as income, shared parenting, add-ons, modification and Title IV-D enforcement.
Child and spousal supportSelf-employed or variable income: how support is calculated and when income gets imputed
Business owners, contractors, commissioned salespeople and gig workers don't have a T4 or W-2 that tells the story. How courts determine income for support, and what "imputing" means.
Child and spousal supportChild Support in Canada: How It Works
The Federal Child Support Guidelines table amount, Section 7 expenses, how gross income is calculated, and the mistakes most people make. Plain-language guide for Canada.
Child and spousal supportChild Support in Shared Custody: How the 40% Rule Works
Shared custody does not eliminate child support. How the 40% threshold works, what Section 9 actually says, the set-off calculation, and what to get right in your agreement.
Child and spousal supportSpousal Support Explained: Who Qualifies and How It's Calculated
What spousal support is for, who qualifies, how the SSAG formula works, and what duration actually looks like. Plain-language guide for Canada.
Child and spousal supportThe Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (SSAG) Explained
What the SSAG are, how both formulas work, what pushes outcomes toward the high or low end, and why knowing the range matters before you negotiate. Canada.
Talking to your children
What to say, and how, at every age.
How to tell your children you are separating: a step-by-step plan
A practical plan for the conversation you are dreading: what to agree first, who should be in the room, the words to use and avoid, how children react, and what to do in the days afterwards.
NewParenting and co-parentingBabies and toddlers (0 to 2) and separation: what they need from you
Babies and toddlers cannot understand separation, but they feel it. What children under 3 experience, the simple words that help toddlers, calm handovers, routines across two homes, and what experts agree and disagree about on overnights.
NewParenting and co-parentingTalking to preschoolers (3 to 5) about separation
Preschoolers often believe they caused the separation and may fear being left too. Simple words that work for 3 to 5 year olds, how to answer did I make this happen, what regression and tantrums mean, and when to get help.
NewParenting and co-parentingTalking to 6 to 8 year olds about separation: guilt, loyalty and hope
Children aged 6 to 8 often feel guilty, torn between parents, and quietly hopeful you will get back together. What they understand, the words that help, how to handle it's not fair, school, and the signs a child needs more support.
NewParenting and co-parentingTalking to preteens (9 to 12) about separation: anger, sides and money
Preteens see things in black and white, may take sides, get angry, or try to look after a parent. How to answer their questions about what happened, money and moving, why not to lean on them, and when to get help.
NewParenting and co-parentingTalking to teenagers (13 to 17) about separation
Teenagers want honesty, privacy and a say. How to tell a teen the truth without the adult details, respect their space, handle worries about their own relationships, keep them out of the middle, and know the signs that a teenager needs help.
NewParenting and co-parentingWhen your children are adults: telling grown children about divorce
Adult children can be hit hard by a parent's separation, even when they live on their own. How to tell grown children, what they may feel, why not to make them your confidant, and how to handle holidays, weddings, grandchildren and money.
NewParenting and co-parentingIs it my fault? The questions children ask, with honest answers by age
Honest, age-appropriate answers to the questions children ask when parents separate: is it my fault, will you get back together, do I have to choose, why, did someone cheat, are we poor now, and more, for under 6s, 6 to 12s and teenagers.
What children need through a separation
What the research shows helps, what harms, and the signs to watch for.
What the research says about children and separation
Most children of separated parents do well over time. Decades of research point to what makes the difference: conflict, being caught in the middle, warm and steady parenting, a parent's own wellbeing and stability. A plain summary with named sources.
NewParenting and co-parentingKeeping children out of the middle: messengers, spies and confidants
Children caught between separated parents carry adult problems they cannot solve. How children end up as messengers, informants, confidants or judges, what loyalty conflicts look like at each age, and what to say and do instead.
NewParenting and co-parentingConflict in front of the children: why it matters and how to repair
Exposure to conflict between parents is one of the most consistent risks for children, at every age and whether parents live together or apart. What children notice, why cold conflict counts too, and how to repair with your child after they have seen or heard an argument.
NewParenting and co-parentingSigns your child is struggling after separation, by age
What is a normal reaction to separation and what is a sign your child needs more support? Common reactions from babies to teenagers, the signs that mean it is time for an assessment, who to call, and what to do if you are worried about safety.
NewParenting and co-parentingRegression, bedwetting, sleep problems and clinginess after separation
Toileting accidents, baby talk, bedtime battles and tears at handovers are common after a separation. Why children go backwards under stress, how to respond in both homes, and when to talk to your doctor.
NewParenting and co-parentingYour child's anger and acting out after separation
Tantrums, slammed doors, defiance and rudeness are common after parents separate. What usually sits underneath a child's anger, how to respond with warmth and firm limits at every age, and when anger is a sign to get help.
NewParenting and co-parentingWhen a child refuses to go to the other parent's home
Reluctance at handovers is common; outright refusal is rarer and has many possible causes, from normal preferences to fear, abuse, loyalty pressure or alienating behaviour. What the evidence says, why 'parental alienation' is contested, and what each parent can do while getting professional help.
NewParenting and co-parentingGrief in children when a family changes shape
Separation is a real loss for children, even when it is the right decision. What children grieve, how grief shows at different ages, why it comes in waves, how to answer hopes of getting back together, and when grief needs professional support.
NewParenting and co-parentingChildren's self-harm or suicidal thoughts: warning signs and what to do
If you are worried your child or teenager is thinking about suicide or hurting themselves, act today. Crisis lines in Canada and the US, the warning signs to know, how to ask directly, what to say, and how to get help that works.
Two homes, one childhood
Handovers, routines, school, family and the people who matter to your child.
Handovers without tears: making exchanges easier for children
Why handovers are hard for children, what professional guidance recommends, and the exact words to use at the door, by age. Practical routines that cut conflict and help children settle in each home.
NewParenting and co-parentingRules in two homes: what to keep the same and what can differ
Children do better when rules and discipline are compatible across both homes, but every detail does not need to match. What to agree on, what to let go, and what to say when your child says the other house is different.
NewParenting and co-parentingTwo homes, one childhood: helping children feel at home in both
How to help your child feel they live in both homes rather than visit one. Their own space, their own things, what travels between houses, and the words that give children permission to love both homes.
NewParenting and co-parentingSchool during separation: teachers, records and both parents involved
What to tell your child's school, how to keep both parents informed, what the law says about parents' access to school information in Canada and the US, and how to spot when separation is affecting your child at school.
NewParenting and co-parentingBirthdays, holidays and special days in two homes, year after year
After the first year: how to plan birthdays, holidays, family events and milestones across two homes so children can enjoy them. A yearly planning routine, options from professional guidance, and what to say at each age.
NewParenting and co-parentingLong-distance parenting: staying close when you live far apart
How to keep a strong relationship with your child when one parent lives far away. Visit schedules by age, travel logistics, virtual parenting time that works, and what each parent can do to keep the child connected to both homes.
NewParenting and co-parentingPhone, video and messages with the other parent: what helps children
How to set up calls, video chats and texting between your child and their other parent so contact feels natural, not like a duty or a battleground. Ground rules by age, what each parent can do, and how to handle social media.
NewParenting and co-parentingChildren with ADHD, autism or anxiety: support through separation
For a child who relies on routine, the change itself is often the hardest part of separation. How to prepare, run one approach across two homes and school, handle handovers, and know when to get more help.
NewParenting and co-parentingSiblings who react differently, and schedules when ages differ
One child cries, one shrugs, one slams the door. Why siblings react so differently to separation, how to support each child without comparing them, and how to think about a schedule when their ages and needs differ.
NewParenting and co-parentingIntroducing a new partner and building a blended family well
From the first meeting to living under one roof: what children experience when a parent re-partners, the common traps for new stepfamilies, and how to pace things so children have room to adjust.
NewParenting and co-parentingStep-parents: the role that works for children
What a step-parent's role should look like in the early years and later on: friendship before authority, discipline through the parent, never competing with the other parent, and how the parent can make room for the relationship.
NewParenting and co-parentingGrandparents and extended family after separation: keeping the bonds
Grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins can be a steady anchor for children during separation. How parents can protect those relationships, how grandparents can help without taking sides, and what the law says if contact breaks down.
Co-parenting that works for children
Practical ways to share parenting, even when it is hard.
Co-parenting best practices: what the evidence actually supports
What research and professional bodies agree helps children after separation, where the evidence is mixed, and why the question of equal parenting time is still contested. Practical habits, with scripts.
NewParenting and co-parentingBusiness-like co-parenting: how to set it up, step by step
You do not have to be friends with your co-parent. You do need a predictable, civil working arrangement. How to set one up: the channel, the message rules, the calendar, the check-in and the plan for disagreements.
NewParenting and co-parentingParallel parenting in your child's interest: what the evidence says
When co-parenting keeps turning into conflict, parallel parenting lowers contact between the adults. What it means for your child at each age, what the research shows, and how to do it so your child keeps both parents.
NewParenting and co-parentingMaking decisions together on health, school and activities
How separated parents can make the big decisions about health care, school and activities without the child caught in the middle: which decisions are shared, a simple process for proposing and agreeing, and what to do when you disagree.
NewParenting and co-parentingParenting programs after separation: what works and how to find one
Short court-required parenting classes and longer skills programs are not the same. What the research shows, which programs exist in Canada and the US, what they cost at time of writing, and how to choose one.
NewParenting and co-parentingTalking about the other parent: what to say and what never to say
What you say about your child's other parent matters more than almost anything else you say. What research on denigration shows, what never to say, and word-for-word scripts for the hardest moments, by age.
Looking after yourself
Your wellbeing matters, for you and for your children.
Depression after separation: signs, what helps, and getting treatment
Low mood after a separation is common, and so is recovery. How to tell grief from depression, what treatment involves, what to try tonight, and why getting help is one of the best things you can do for your children.
NewWellbeingAnxiety, panic and sleeplessness during separation: what helps
Racing thoughts, a pounding heart, 3 a.m. wake-ups. Why separation sets off anxiety, how to get through a panic attack, why CBT for insomnia beats sleep tips alone, and when to get treatment.
NewWellbeingAnger and resentment after separation: keeping them from your children
Anger after a separation is normal. Where it lands is what matters. What children experience when parents' anger leaks, a circuit-breaker for the moment, how to repair, and when anger needs professional help.
NewWellbeingLoneliness on the weeks without your children
The quiet house after a handover can be the hardest part of separation. Why it hits so hard, what research says helps loneliness, how to plan the empty days, and what to say to your children so they don't carry it.
NewWellbeingAlcohol and other coping that backfires after separation
A drink to get through the evening can quietly become a pattern. What Canadian and US guidance says about alcohol, honest self-check questions, other coping habits that backfire, and what to do instead.
NewWellbeingMen's mental health after separation: why men wait and how to get help
Separation often shows up in men as anger, exhaustion, drinking or overwork rather than sadness. Why men tend to wait before getting help, practical ways in that work, and where to turn in Canada and the US.
NewWellbeingMothers carrying the load: burnout, guilt and asking for help
Parental burnout is real, it is measurable, and it comes from too many demands and too few resources, not from loving your children less. How to spot it after separation, what to do about guilt, and how to ask for help.
NewWellbeingSelf-compassion is not self-indulgence: the evidence and a practice
Self-compassion means treating yourself the way you would treat a friend going through the same thing. Research on divorcing adults and trials of compassion-based programs suggest it helps. What it is, what it is not, and a ten-minute daily practice.
NewWellbeingGood enough parenting when you are not okay
Children do not need a perfect parent. They need a parent who is mostly there and who repairs after things go wrong. What the idea of good enough parenting means, what research on repair shows, and a practical minimum for the hard days.
NewWellbeingWhen to get help for yourself, and how to find affordable care
How to tell when it is time to get professional help during separation, what effective treatment involves, and where to find free and low-cost mental health care in Canada and the US, from Ontario's free CBT program to SAMHSA's helpline.
Parenting and co-parenting
What your kids need most right now, and how to give it to them.
Helping an anxious child through your separation
Signs of anxiety in children by age after separation, what helps at home and at handovers, working with the school, and when to get professional help.
NewParenting and co-parentingA separation guide for dads: staying involved, the law, support and looking after yourself
A practical guide for fathers going through separation: staying involved from day one, what the law says, proposing a schedule, support, and mental health.
NewParenting and co-parentingCommunicating with a high-conflict ex: BIFF, grey rock and when to stop direct contact
How to communicate with a high-conflict ex: the BIFF response, grey rock, sample messages, keeping records, and when to stop direct contact and get help.
NewParenting and co-parentingThe first holidays after separation: schedules, birthdays and getting through the day
Planning the first Christmas, holidays and birthdays after separation: practical schedules, what to put in writing, helping kids, and coping alone.
NewParenting and co-parentingCustody and parenting time explained: the words, the decisions and the schedules
What custody, parenting time and decision-making responsibility mean in Canada and the US, how schedules work, and what courts look at.
NewParenting and co-parentingSeparating while pregnant or with a newborn: what to know and what to do first
Separating while pregnant or with a new baby: parentage, child support from birth, parenting time for infants, health coverage, EI and FMLA leave, and support.
Parenting and co-parentingMoving with the kids after separation: relocation rules in Canada and the US
A new job, a new partner, family support in another city. Relocation is the most contested parenting issue there is. What the law requires, what courts weigh, and how to make a move work or oppose one.
Parenting and co-parentingParenting plans for children with special needs: schedules, decisions, costs and support beyond 18
Standard templates assume a child who can handle alternating weeks and two sets of rules. Many can't. How to build a plan around a child with a disability, medical condition or neurodivergence, and how support works when dependency continues into adulthood.
Parenting and co-parentingTeenagers and parenting plans: how much say they get, at what age, and how to write a plan they will actually follow
There is no magic age at which a child chooses. Courts weigh a teenager's views heavily but not decisively, and a plan that ignores a 15-year-old's life will fail on contact. What the law says, and how to build flexibility without giving up structure.
Parenting and co-parentingAn Open Letter to Both Parents Before You Start This Process
What conflict actually costs, in money, in years, and in your children's wellbeing. A research-backed playbook for getting through separation without making it worse than it has to be.
Parenting and co-parentingCo-Parenting After Separation | Practical Guide
How to co-parent well with someone you no longer want to be with. Communication strategies, conflict reduction, and keeping your children out of the middle.
Parenting and co-parentingHow to use a co-parenting app to protect yourself legally
Co-parenting apps create timestamped records that matter in disputes. What to document, how the expense pre-approval loop works, and which apps courts accept.
Parenting and co-parentingParallel parenting tools that actually help
Parallel parenting tools, the apps, documentation systems, and communication approaches that make parallel parenting work when goodwill isn't available.
Parenting and co-parentingTalking to Your Kids About Separation
What your children are experiencing during separation, and what they actually need from you. A practical, honest guide for parents in Canada and the US.
Parenting and co-parentingWhat Is a Parenting Plan? How to Write One
Every decision you need to make when creating a parenting plan, schedules, holidays, education, healthcare, travel, and more. Written clearly for Canadian and American families.
Parenting and co-parentingWhen to involve a parenting coordinator, and what they actually do
What a parenting coordinator does, when to consider one, FDRIO accreditation, how they're appointed, and what they cost in Canada.
Legal process
The process, the professionals, and how to use them efficiently.
Separación y divorcio en Estados Unidos: guía práctica
Divorcio en EE. UU. en español: leyes de cada estado, bienes, custodia, manutención, pensión, ayuda legal gratuita, violencia doméstica e inmigración.
NewLegal process · FrançaisSéparation et divorce au Québec : le guide pratique
Séparation au Québec : mariés ou conjoints de fait, union parentale, patrimoine familial, pension pour enfants et médiation gratuite. Le guide pratique.
NewLegal processSeparating in a military family: postings, deployment, pensions and support in Canada and the US
Military separation in Canada and the US: CAF pension division, Family Care Plans, the SCRA, USFSPA and the 10/10 rule, SBP deadlines and deployment parenting.
NewLegal processSeparation and divorce for same-sex couples: what is the same and what needs extra care
Same-sex separation in Canada and the US: the same law applies, but secure the non-biological parent's parentage, check how pre-marriage years count, and more.
NewLegal processSeparating across borders: when one spouse lives abroad or is moving countries
Separating when one spouse lives abroad: which courts decide, foreign divorce recognition, Hague child abduction rules, travel consent and enforcing support.
NewLegal processFree and low-cost family law help in Canada and the US
Free and low-cost family law help: legal aid, duty counsel, court self-help centres, law school clinics, limited scope lawyers and subsidised mediation.
NewLegal processShould I move out of the family home? What leaving changes, and what it doesn't
Moving out rarely costs you your share of the home, but it can shape parenting arrangements. What leaving changes, safety first, and what to take with you.
Legal processChanging your separation agreement later: material change, variation and how to build in flexibility
Incomes change, children grow, people move. A separation agreement is not carved in stone, but it is not easily rewritten either. What "material change" means, which terms can be varied, and how to draft an agreement that adapts without a fight.
Legal processFiling for an uncontested divorce in Canada, step by step
You have a signed separation agreement. Now you need the divorce itself. What "uncontested" means, the one-year rule, the forms, the fees, the timeline, and the mistakes that get applications bounced.
Legal processFiling for an uncontested divorce in the US, step by step
Every state has its own forms, fees and waiting periods, but the shape of an uncontested divorce is the same everywhere. What you need, how it moves, and the state-specific traps to check before you file.
Legal processImmigration status and separation: sponsorship undertakings, conditional residence and what a breakup changes
If one of you was sponsored, or your status depends on the marriage, separation raises questions the family law process does not answer. What happens to sponsorship obligations in Canada, conditional green cards in the US, and support claims across the two systems.
Legal processWhen your ex won't pay: enforcing child and spousal support in Canada and the US
Support that isn't paid is the most common post-agreement problem there is. Every province and state has an enforcement agency with real powers. How they work, how to register, and what to do while you wait.
Legal processHow to prepare for your first meeting with a family lawyer
First family lawyer consultation, what to bring, what to ask, how to make it count, and why showing up to vent instead of gather information is the most expensive mistake you can make.
Legal processNavigating social media during separation
Social media during separation, what constitutes evidence, what not to post, and why private settings don't make you safe.
Legal processPrenuptial agreements, why more couples are getting them and what they cover
Prenuptial agreements explained, who needs one, what they can and can't cover, enforceability requirements in Canada and the US, and why the stigma is fading.
Legal processWhat Is Separation Mediation?
What mediation is, when it works, how to prepare, and how much it costs compared to litigation. A practical guide for separating couples in Canada and the US.
Legal processWhat happens when co-parenting is ordered by a court
Court-ordered co-parenting, what judges order, how the 2021 Divorce Act changes apply, how orders are enforced, and when they can be changed.
Legal processWhat is independent legal advice and why do you need it in Canada?
Independent legal advice (ILA) in Canada, what it is, why it matters for your separation agreement, what it costs, and the most common misconception about what it means.
Life after separation
The part nobody warns you about: everything that has to happen after you sign.
Telling family, friends and your employer about your separation
How to tell parents, in-laws, friends and your employer about your separation, with scripts, boundaries, and what to check about benefits, EAP and time off.
Life after separationDating and new partners after separation: what changes legally, financially and for the kids
You are allowed to move on. But a new relationship can affect spousal support, your parenting case, your property settlement if you move in together, and your children more than you expect. What to know before it gets serious.
Life after separationHealth insurance and benefits after separation: what you lose, when, and how to replace it
Extended health, dental, life insurance, and in the US the health plan itself. Coverage through a spouse's employer does not survive divorce, and sometimes not separation. What to check and what to write into your agreement.
Life after separationName change after divorce in Canada, province by province
Name change after divorce in Canada, province-specific process, what you can use your divorce certificate for directly, and the full administrative update checklist.
Life after separationThe unexpected emotions after you sign the separation agreement
You worked hard to get here. Why does signing the separation agreement still feel devastating? What to expect emotionally and practically after it's done.
Life after separationUpdating your will and beneficiaries after separation, do this first
The most commonly neglected post-separation step: updating your will, beneficiary designations, and power of attorney so your ex doesn't inherit by default.
Wellbeing
Taking care of yourself matters as much as taking care of the paperwork.
Months 3 to 12 after separation: what's normal, and what to do when
What's normal emotionally, financially and with the kids in months 3 to 12 after separation, when to get help, and a month-by-month practical checklist.
NewWellbeingWhen you didn't want the separation: getting through the first weeks
For the person who was left: shock and grief, what not to do in the first weeks, protecting yourself, whether reconciliation is realistic, and getting help.
WellbeingWhat does a divorce coach actually do, and when is one worth paying for?
Divorce coaches sit between your lawyer and your therapist: they help you make decisions, prepare for meetings, manage the co-parent and stay out of your own way. What they do, what they cost, how to choose one, and when you need a lawyer or therapist instead.
WellbeingBooks & Resources That Actually Help | by Amanda
A therapist's reading list for people going through separation. Books that bring clarity, not more advice. Written by Amanda, guest contributor.
WellbeingCan a marriage be saved? What couples counselling can and can't do
Does couples therapy work? An honest evidence-informed look, what the research shows, what it can't do, and how to choose a qualified therapist.
WellbeingFinding a therapist who specialises in separation, what to look for
Not every therapist is equipped for divorce and separation. What to look for, questions to ask in a first session, and the difference between a divorce coach and a therapist.
WellbeingSeparation and Mental Health | Looking After Yourself
Sleep, exercise, food, social connections, and rebuilding your life after separation. A practical wellbeing guide for people navigating divorce and family transitions.
Real stories
First-person accounts from people who have been through it.
Co-parenting with someone who won't cooperate, one parent's account
What high-conflict co-parenting actually looks like day to day, cancelled visits, weaponised expenses, and the slow path to something that actually works.
Real storiesHow I got through the first month alone
The first month after separation, the practical and emotional reality. Concrete, honest, and not tied up with a bow.
Real storiesI waited 8 years before leaving. Here's what I wish I'd done sooner.
A first-person account of staying in a marriage long past the point of knowing it was over, what I was afraid of, what finally changed, and what I'd do differently.
Real storiesWhat my kids taught me about resilience during our separation
A parent's honest reflection on watching their children adapt to separation in ways that were surprising, humbling, and ultimately hopeful.
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