Worked examples

What it looks likewhen it goes right.

Five composite cases showing the inputs, the route, the agreement structure and what it cost. Fictional families; the legal mechanics are explained as they generally work.

Example

Two incomes, one house, two kids: Ontario

Mira (teacher, $92,000) and Dan (electrician, $105,000), married 14 years, two children aged 9 and 12, house with $420,000 equity, Mira's pension, Dan's RRSPs.

Example

A business owner and a 22-year marriage: British Columbia

Sam (owns a landscaping company) and Alex (part-time bookkeeper, left the workforce for ten years), married 22 years, adult children, house, company valued at $600,000.

Example

Short marriage, no children, one condo: California

Priya and Jordan, married three years, no children, a condo bought during the marriage with a down payment from Priya's pre-marriage savings.

Example

Shared parenting and a job in another city: Alberta

Chris and Dana, separated two years with an alternating-week plan for a 7-year-old. Dana received a job offer in Calgary, 300 kilometres from Red Deer.

Example

Grey divorce with a pension in payment: Florida

Linda (63, retired nurse with a defined benefit pension in payment) and Ron (66, retired, Social Security and a 401(k)), married 31 years.