Soft Landing Divorce Podcast 🇨🇦

Demystifying Spousal Support in Ontario: Calculations, Guidelines, and Real-World Insights

Navigating spousal support in Ontario doesn't have to be overwhelming—discover how the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (SSAG) simplify the process for separating couples. Dive into practical formulas for calculating payments, whether child support is involved or not, and learn key factors like income disparity, marriage length, and financial needs that influence outcomes. Whether you're facing divorce or seeking clarity on spousal support calculators, this episode breaks down the essentials to help you achieve a fair, drama-free resolution.

Key Takeaways

• The Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (SSAG) provide a non-binding framework for determining support amounts and duration based on income, marriage length, and family circumstances in Ontario.
  
• Calculations differ with or without child support: use Individual Net Disposable Income (INDI) for cases involving kids, or income disparity multiplied by cohabitation years for child-free scenarios.
  
• Support duration typically ranges from half to the full length of the marriage, influenced by factors like earning capacity, child needs, and self-sufficiency incentives—infidelity doesn't affect rulings due to no-fault divorce laws.
  
• Common scenarios for denying or adjusting support include remarriage, financial independence, or prenuptial agreements, with indexing to combat inflation ensuring payments maintain value over time.
  

Featuring

Sarah Bates, Certified Divorce Specialist and guide behind Naked Divorce Filer by DTSW, with over a decade in family law helping clients file uncontested divorces affordably and drama-free.
Ken Maynard, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and Accredited Family Mediator, delivering compassionate mediation via the Soft Landing Divorce Settlement Method since 2010 to avoid adversarial battles.

Listen & Subscribe

Navigating Pet Custody in Divorce: Beyond Pets as Property

Discover how pet custody disputes are shaking up family court reform, with pets as property often leading to emotional heartbreak in divorce pet disputes. In this eye-opening episode, explore why Ontario family law treats pet ownership in divorce like dividing furniture, and learn about mediation for pets as a smarter path to shared pet custody and pet guardianship. Uncover stories of high-stakes battles and emerging trends like best interest of pet considerations, highlighting the push for reform in pet custody laws to recognize the emotional bond with pets like children.

Key Takeaways

• Pets are legally classified as property in Ontario family law, making pet custody disputes akin to dividing assets like a car or sofa, with courts often dismissing cases to avoid overload and suggesting sales as a last resort.
  
• Emerging trends in pet custody include treating pets more like children, with some courts awarding shared pet custody, pet visitation, and even alimony, or keeping pets with children for a calming influence during divorce transitions.
  
• Mediation for pets and alternative dispute resolution offer a compassionate, cost-effective way to resolve pet ownership in divorce, avoiding court battles and ensuring agreements based on the best interest of the pet and emotional bonds.
  
• Family court reform is needed to address losing a pet in divorce, as judges warn against overloading systems with pet sold in divorce cases, pushing for private solutions like arbitration over adversarial fights.
  

Featuring

Ken Maynard: Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and Accredited Family Mediator guiding couples through separation and divorce since 2010 using his Soft Landing Divorce Settlement Method for collaborative, cost-effective resolutions.
Sarah Bates: Certified Divorce Specialist and founder of Naked Divorce Filer by DTSW, helping clients file uncontested divorces affordably with over a decade in family law, focusing on drama-free processes.

Listen & Subscribe

Unlocking Amicable Divorce: Mastering Mediation Ground Rules for a Smoother Separation

Discover how setting clear mediation ground rules can transform a painful divorce into a respectful transition, saving time, money, and emotional stress. Dive into proven strategies that prioritize future goals, mutual dignity, and children's well-being, making divorce mediation a powerful alternative to courtroom battles. Whether you're exploring amicable divorce options or seeking cost-effective separation solutions, this episode equips you with essential tools for productive negotiations and lasting agreements.

Key Takeaways

• Shift focus from past conflicts to future goals, using mediation ground rules to foster productive, forward-thinking discussions in divorce mediation.
  
• Promote mutual respect and dignity, ensuring both parties feel valued and heard for a cooperative divorce process.
  
• Prioritize children's well-being by emphasizing involved parenting and decisions that support their needs during separation.
  
• Build trust in the mediation process through clear communication frameworks, avoiding surprises and criticisms for fair, efficient outcomes.
  

Featuring

• Ken Maynard - Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and Accredited Family Mediator, guiding families through virtual mediation with his Soft Landing Divorce Settlement Method since 2010.
  
• Sarah Bates - Certified Divorce Specialist at Naked Divorce Filer by DTSW, helping clients file uncontested divorces affordably and drama-free with over a decade in family law.
  

Listen & Subscribe

Learning from Failures: Guide to a Successful Parenting Plan

Discover how turning divorce mistakes into powerful lessons can transform your approach to co-parenting and child custody. In this eye-opening episode, experts share insights on crafting comprehensive parenting plans that prioritize child well-being, reduce conflict, and embrace mediation benefits over high-conflict divorce battles. Explore long-term parenting plans, joint decision-making, and strategies to avoid court while navigating co-parenting challenges and your child's evolving needs.

Key Takeaways

• Learn the top 10 parenting plan checklist items, including parental responsibilities, shared parenting time, and dispute resolution processes to ensure a robust framework for post-divorce parenting.
  
• Understand the four pillars of co-parenting—education, extracurricular, medical, and religion—and how to refine them for joint decision-making while addressing potential high-conflict divorce issues.
  
• Discover mediation vs court advantages, such as alternative dispute resolution and family mediation, to create flexible, long-term parenting plans that promote child well-being and minimize custody battles.
  
• Explore strategies for dealing with toxic co-parents, supporting your child's relationship with your ex, and using tools like parenting coordinators or New Ways for Families to handle co-parenting challenges effectively.
  

Featuring

Sarah Bates: Certified Divorce Specialist and guide behind Naked Divorce Filer by DTSW, helping clients with uncontested divorces through clear, drama-free processes.
Ken Maynard: Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and Accredited Family Mediator, using the Soft Landing Divorce Settlement Method for collaborative, cost-effective divorce mediation and parenting plans.

Listen & Subscribe

No-Fault Divorce in Canada: Achieving a Soft Landing Without the Blame

Discover how no-fault divorce in Canada transforms the separation process into a smoother, less confrontational journey, focusing on marriage breakdown rather than finger-pointing. Dive into the pros and cons, from reducing conflict and costs to debating its impact on society and families. Whether you're exploring uncontested divorce options or seeking a compassionate alternative, this episode unpacks the essentials for a soft landing divorce that prioritizes well-being and fairness.

Key Takeaways

• No-fault divorce simplifies the process by requiring only a one-year separation, eliminating the need to prove fault like adultery or cruelty, making it faster and less expensive than fault-based options.
  
• Benefits include lower emotional stress, reduced legal costs, better co-parenting outcomes, and the ability to file without your spouse's consent after the separation period.
  
• Mediation is highly recommended for no-fault divorces, helping couples reach amicable agreements on property division, child custody, and support while avoiding court battles.
  
• In Canada, spousal support and child custody decisions focus on financial needs and the child's best interests, independent of divorce grounds, ensuring fair outcomes.
  

Featuring

Ken Maynard, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and Accredited Family Mediator, founder of the Soft Landing Divorce Settlement Method.
Sarah Bates, Certified Divorce Specialist at Naked Divorce Filer by DTSW, expert in uncontested divorces and simplifying legal processes.

Listen & Subscribe

Buying a New Home During Separation: Avoid Hidden Legal Fees and Protect Your Matrimonial Home

Navigating the urge to buy a new home during separation can feel like a fresh start, but rushing in without a solid separation agreement and full financial disclosure might turn your dream oasis into marital property subject to division. In this episode, experts dive into the biggest misconceptions about purchasing property amid divorce, including tax implications, lender requirements, and the risks of emotional decisions that could lead to additional legal costs and a rushed divorce timeline. Discover how to safeguard your financial situation post-separation with tips on timing for buying home, realtor during divorce, and creating a post-divorce financial plan for long-term security.

Key Takeaways

• Always secure a legally binding agreement with full financial disclosure before buying a new home during separation to prevent it from becoming marital property and facing property settlement agreement disputes.
  
• Consider the matrimonial home's emotional and financial value—ask about post-divorce budget, maintenance costs, home insurance, and tax implications to decide whether to keep or sell.
  
• Beware of family gifts for home purchase; without proper documentation, they could be deemed marital property, leading to court-ordered sales and shared proceeds.
  
• Consult a family lawyer or mediator to avoid hidden legal fees, rushed divorce timelines, and emotional decisions that jeopardize your financial future post-separation.
  

Featuring

Sarah Bates, Certified Divorce Specialist and founder of Naked Divorce Filer by DTSW, shares her expertise in simplifying uncontested divorces with clarity and compassion.
Ken Maynard, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and Accredited Family Mediator, discusses his Soft Landing Divorce Settlement Method for amicable, cost-effective resolutions.

Listen & Subscribe

Mastering BIFF Response: Staying Positive in Tough Conversations During Divorce

Discover how the BIFF response can transform challenging conversations with ex-partners into productive exchanges, especially in high-conflict divorce proceedings and co-parenting relationships. This powerful communication tool for hostility helps you respond to hostile comments by maintaining boundaries, acknowledging feelings, and providing constructive feedback—ultimately protecting your mental health and leading to better outcomes in divorce. Learn to pause before responding, show empathy, and disengage from toxic conversations to navigate divorce with dignity and model better communication for the next generation.

Key Takeaways

• Master the BIFF response to shift negative or hostile comments into positive, constructive feedback, helping you control your reaction and steer tough conversations during divorce toward productive outcomes.
• Stay calm by taking a deep breath and pausing before responding, allowing you to acknowledge feelings, show empathy, and maintain boundaries in challenging conversations with ex-partners or during custody arrangements.
• Practice disengaging from toxic conversations to protect mental health, build self-awareness, and foster better co-parenting relationships, especially in uncontested divorces or written communication like emails and text messages.
• Use the BIFF response as a strategic tool to respond to hostility, promote learning to listen, and achieve better outcomes in divorce by breaking cycles and modeling positive communication skills.

Featuring

Ken Maynard is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and an Accredited Family Mediator who has been guiding couples through the Divorce Industrial Complex of separation and divorce since 2010. He helps families across Ontario and beyond by delivering mediation through secure virtual conferencing. Using his Soft Landing Divorce Settlement Method, Ken offers a structured, compassionate, and cost-effective alternative to the traditional adversarial approach. His process prioritizes collaboration over conflict, enabling clients to reach sustainable, amicable agreements—often in four meetings or fewer. With nearly two decades of experience, Ken blends deep financial insight with mediation expertise to provide real-world guidance for families navigating one of life’s most difficult transitions—while avoiding unnecessary legal battles.
Sarah Bates, Certified Divorce Specialist and the no-nonsense guide behind Naked Divorce Filer by DTSW. With over a decade in family law and a background as a freelance law clerk, Sarah helps clients cut through legal confusion to file uncontested divorces quickly and affordably. She’s passionate about making the process clear, human, and drama-free—no lawyers required. At Naked Divorce Filer at DTSW, she’s the calm, capable partner clients trust to simplify paperwork, explain next steps, and keep things moving. Sarah believes divorce shouldn’t be a battle—it should be a reset. Her mission? To help people move on with dignity, clarity, and confidence.

Listen & Subscribe

Exploring Child Support Alternatives: Beyond Financial Obligations

Discover innovative ways to support your children during divorce that go beyond traditional child support payments. Dive into non-financial strategies, emotional backing, and mediation options that prioritize your child's well-being while navigating co-parenting challenges. Whether dealing with limited resources or seeking amicable agreements, this episode reveals practical child support alternatives to foster stability and growth for your family.

Key Takeaways

• Child support isn't just about money—non-financial contributions like quality time, emotional support, and creating a stable home environment are crucial for a child's development and happiness.
  
• When resources are limited, maximize them through community aid, skill development for better income, and open communication to adjust agreements, including shared expenses or mediation for fair outcomes.
  
• Guideline child support offers consistency and ease, but alternatives like split custody or special arrangements can work if they truly benefit the child, though they require caution to avoid exploitation.
  
• Healthy co-parenting and mediation, such as the Soft Landing method, help parents collaborate on sustainable solutions, reducing conflict and ensuring the child's needs come first.
  

Featuring

• Ken Maynard: Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and Accredited Family Mediator, guiding families through divorce with his Soft Landing Divorce Settlement Method for compassionate, cost-effective resolutions.
  
• Sarah Bates: Certified Divorce Specialist at Naked Divorce Filer by DTSW, helping clients simplify uncontested divorces with clear, drama-free processes focused on dignity and clarity.
  

Listen & Subscribe