As we have discussed elsewhere in this blog, the best defence against an attack on the validity of Marriage Contract, is that its terms were fair. There are many other factors that are involved, but more often than not, no other provision is as important. We often will force our clients to be more generous […]
Read MoreSecret Taping & Video as Evidence
The courts have taken a very dim view of secretly recording telephone calls, video taping and private investigator’s reports being admissible in family law actions. In a series of decisions, including one of this author’s favourite judges, Justice Sherr of the Ontario Court of Justice (the man deserves to be on the Court of Appeal […]
Read MoreForgivable Loans – Are they Income or Property?
In another blog article, we discussed Restricted Share Units (RSU). These are examples of a golden handcuff by an employer to buy the loyalty of an employee. Another example of such golden handcuffs are forgivable loans. These are commonly offered to financial planners who move from one large investment house or bank to another. The […]
Read MoreCommon Law Property Rights – This Time She Lost and Why
Why you Need a Co-habitation Agreement We have posted a number of blog articles already on the topic of property rights between common-law couples. As a prime example, when does a common law spouse acquire an interest or claim against property (often a home) of the other spouse. The catch phrase in justifying these claims […]
Read MoreLump Sum Arrears Payment of Support – Is It Tax Deductible
Child support for many years, is neither tax deductible on the part of the payor nor subject to tax in the hands of the recipient. However, spousal support payments have always and continue to attract this tax treatment. Specifically, if you are paying spousal support, you get to deduct that and if you are […]
Read MoreJustice Marvin Kurz appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice effective December 2, 2015.
Justice Marvin Kurz was called to the bar in 1983. For over 25 years, he has been a partner at the firm Dale, Streiman Law LLP, working in family law, civil litigation and human rights. Previously, he worked as an associate at the firms of Pinkofsky, Lockyer and Kwinter, and Zuker, Dale and Streiman. Justice […]
Read MoreMarh/Mahr or Islamic Marriage Contract
In an interesting decision in January 2015, Justice Walters refused to recognize a Marh/Mahr written entirely in Arabic. The Husband and Wife were born in Afghanistan and Iran respectively. They were married in a Muslim ceremony in Germany, where the Marh/Mahr was signed. However, neither party spoke, wrote or read Arabic. Neither party received independent […]
Read MoreComplying with Financial Disclosure in Family Law Proceedings
The obligation to comply with financial disclosure orders in a family law proceeding is a serious one. It may seem obvious that full and frank financial disclosure is the starting point with respect to any discussion or negotiation of issues arising out of separation such as child support, spousal support, and equalization of property. However, […]
Read MoreGifts to Children and Family Law Issues, Repayment and Limitation Periods
At Dale Streiman Law LLP, we are asked as lawyers for the purchaser to act on all matters. On financing, when purchasing a home, there are monies lent by a parent to child for the purposes of down payment and closing costs. While often called a “gift” or “loan”, the expectation is that such monies […]
Read MoreWhat is Nesting?
Nesting is a parenting arrangement in which the matrimonial home will be “shared” by the spouses after separation. The children remain full-time in the home, while the parents take turns living elsewhere. The sharing happens on a rotating basis, usually on a week on/week off basis. In a recent case, Veljanovski v. Veljanovski, 2015 CarswellOnt […]
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