Collaborative Law Archives - Boutet Family Law & Mediation

Nairne v. Nairne: Creative solution in family law upheld by Ontario Court of Appeal

This article was originally published by Law360 Canada (www.law360.ca), part of LexisNexis Canada Inc. The importance of the case of Nairne v. Nairne, [2023] O.J. No. 3083 is not the facts or the legal decisions, but the implication of a…

Reduce the cost of valuing a professional practice upon divorce using Collaborative Law

This article was published in Issue 37-12 of Money & Family Law Valuating a professional practice when there is a separation may be emotionally charged and costly because of the subjective nature of business valuations, especially professional businesses. Read more…

Considering contributions to cottage in cases of separation/divorce – Article in The Lawyer’s Daily

This article was originally published by The Lawyer’s Daily (www.thelawyersdaily.ca), part of LexisNexis Canada Inc. Finding an affordable home or cottage continues to be inaccessible to many young couples. If parents want to help with a down payment or with…

Mediation for divorce: The benefits and pitfalls – Interview in Canadian Lawyer Magazine

This article was written by Aidan Macnab and originally published by Canadian Lawyer Magazine. How does mediation work? This article is part of a series addressing popular topics and questions that clients and the public may have about the…

What current economic turmoil means for child and spousal support – Article in The Lawyer’s Daily

This article was originally published by The Lawyer’s Daily (www.thelawyersdaily.ca), part of LexisNexis Canada Inc. Our economy has changed during and as a result of the pandemic, with some sectors being severely impacted while others surpassed expectations. We will continue…

What happens to the financial contributions for a cottage in the event of separation / divorce

With the cost of real estate, both urban and in cottage country, continuing to be inaccessible to many young couples, it is common for parents to provide financial assistance to their children to permit the purchase of a house or…

Lesson from appeal decision: Don’t play games with financial disclosure – Article in The Lawyer’s Daily

By Nathalie Boutet and Gary Joseph This article was originally published by The Lawyer’s Daily (www.thelawyersdaily.ca), part of LexisNexis Canada Inc. In an era where many families engage in legitimate complicated tax and estate planning, the Ontario Court of Appeal…

Divorcing A Spouse Who Has An Addiction: What You Need To Know – Interview In Radio-Canada

After nearly two years of the ongoing stresses of the pandemic, substance abuse or even relapses are negatively impacting families and relationships. Dealing with a spouse suffering from addiction during the separation/divorce process may lead to unique legal issues and…

Practitioners with a Heart

With everything going on in the world right now, I am inviting practitioners of all professions to do many acts of kindness to counter the abundance of information about fear, divisiveness, and illness all around the world. As Random Acts…

Updated federal family law booklets helpful to lawyers and clients: lawyer – Interview by The Lawyer’s Daily

Updated information booklets on amended federal divorce laws and how they apply to separation, shared parenting, family violence and putting kids first will remind lawyers to help parting spouses find “peaceful” and “workable solutions” to disputes, says a legal mind…

Podcast: Parenting the Adlerian Way – What parents need to know as they move through separation and divorce

End of summer is a common time for parents to decide to end their marriage. Nathalie is interviewed by Alyson Schafer to discuss the different options available to parents as they move through separation and divorce. There is much…

How Changes in the Divorce Act Can Resolve High-Conflict Disputes

High-conflict disputes during divorce naturally lead to a longer process and more expensive bills than those that are more amicable. But what many people don’t realize is that even in divorce cases that are not so acrimonious, the process is often longer, and the legal bills higher, when they litigate their cases in court rather than if they had chosen a non-court process. People who separate should know that non-court processes such as mediation and collaborative law are likely better options to resolve their divorce even during high-conflict disputes.

Divorce Act changes ‘a boon’ for collaborative law practice – Interview By Law Times

As the pandemic has produced a rise in divorces and family disputes, the recent enactment of Divorce Act amendments will give a boost to collaborative family law and have more clients resolving their issues outside of a courtroom, say two family…

The Divorce Act has grown up, but will we?

Many people think that the courtroom is the place to finally bring justice — via the well-intentioned figure seated in black robes — to the injustice of their failed marriage. Unfortunately, it is often not like this. Despite recent reforms…

New Divorce Act changes focus on out-of-court resolution, interests of child – Boutet in The Lawyer’s Daily

New federal laws requiring family lawyers to “encourage” parting spouses to use mediation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution instead of the courts have come into force. On March 1, federal Minister of Justice and Attorney General David Lametti…

Children Custody During the COVID-19 Pandemic – Radio Canada

Nathalie is interviewed in French by Radio Canada, to discuss parenting issues during the pandemic, from how Courts deal with custody fights, to suggesting other methods to resolve parenting issues including mediation and collaborative negotiation. Listen to the recording (French)…

Nathalie Boutet is now a certified Advanced Collaborative Professional

I am pleased to announce my new designation as an Advanced Collaborative Professional. The Ontario Association of Collaborative Professionals established the Advanced Collaborative Professional designation in order to recognize the professional commitment to the community and advanced skill level. The…

How to divide a business in divorce without affecting the company – Boutet in the Globe and Mail

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’ amicable split sets an example of what to do during a divorce, especially when it involves a business. Read my article in The Globe and Mail on how a collaborative approach keeps shareholders and employees reassured…

Collaborative Negotiations

Separated Families Derive Great Satisfaction Through the Collaborative Process – Nathalie Boutet in Ontario Bar Association

When my colleague Barbara Kristanic and I started our most recent Collaborative Law case involving mobility (wife and children to relocate from Ontario to Europe), a child with disabilities, a stay-at-home mother and a husband who wanted to change careers,…

Resolution by Negotiation Most Common Approach

A recent study finding that most paths through the family justice process lead to resolution by negotiation lays the groundwork for a discussion on why many cases even enter the court system in the first place, says Toronto family lawyer…

Interest-based negotiation techniques for negotiation – Nathalie Boutet in Lawyers Weekly

The Lawyers Weekly newspaper sought out the expertise of family law negotiator Nathalie Boutet to discuss best practices for out of court negotiation techniques. Boutet comes back to true and trusted “Interest-based negotiation”, the effective technique developed by Roger Fisher…

How Not to Need Your Family Law Lawyer Forever

Nathalie Boutet is featured on Advocate Daily discussing how a Collaborative Law Lawyer will set divorced families up for positive resolution in the future when issues are reopened. The needs of separated families will constantly change. The residency schedule may…

Reduce the cost of valuing a professional practice upon divorce using Collaborative Law

Valuating a professional practice when there is a separation may be emotionally charged and costly because of the subjective nature of business valuations, especially professional businesses. Read more to find out what elements of a professional practice may have value…

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