Divorce is excruciating, now and again important and frequently costly. Request Kathleen James from Downers Grove, Ill., who divorced at 50 and said she "tragically misjudged the cost."

Nowadays, a customary divorce for a couple of more than 50 (with a house, retirement investment funds and a long period of effects) can cost up to $100,000, says New York City lawyer and middle person Andrea Vacca of Vacca Law and Mediation. 

Luckily, there are ways to keep the average divorce cost in Canada. The following are eight of them:

1. Choose Your Divorce Process

The ideal way to reduce divorce costs is to avoid a preliminary. Most divorce lawyers will attempt to settle your case. However, there are different ways to deal with considering.

In intervention, you and your mate work with a nonpartisan outsider go-between to agree. Dori Schwirtz, a Miami Beach legal counsellor and go-between at Divorce Harmony, says intercession sets aside cash since it "permits the couple to discuss straightforwardly with one another, killing the broker (lawyer)." Divorce intervention ordinarily costs somewhere in the range of $5,000 and $15,000.

In a cooperative divorce, the mates' lawyers pursue a settlement, meeting with the two accomplices to agree. A collaborative divorce for a 40+ couple could cost between $15,000 and $50,000.

2. Use Associates and Paralegals When Possible

You might have the option to bring down your lawyer expenses emphatically by utilizing a partner since partners charge not as much as accomplices. Randall Kessler, a lawyer with the Kessler and Solomiany family regulation practice in Atlanta, calls attention to the that "the best lawyers have more youthful partners that are truly proficient. So inquire as to whether a more youthful partner can deal with the majority of the case."

Additionally, paralegals can do a portion of the fundamental legitimate work. "The more paralegals in the firm, the more reasonable it will be," says Russell Knight of the Naples, Fla. Regulation Office of Russell Knight.

Lawyer and middle person Susan Guthrie of Breaking Free Mediation and Coaching in Chicago proposes reaching your divorce lawyer's company's paralegals or legitimate colleagues with your inquiries since they bill at a lower rate.

Where your lawyer is found also affects your costs since attorneys bill for movement time. Says Vacca: "You might save money on lawful expenses on the off chance that your lawyer is found near the town hall."

James laments not selecting a lawyer all the more cautiously for her divorce. "I ought to have done how I would have managed a business choice — made an inquiry or two, really look at rates and settled on the best course for me."

3. Get Your Financial Records Organized

Divorce is a fundamentally monetary exchange, so the more you can do to hold your legitimate birds back from investing energy gathering your financial records, the more you will save.

"Close to half of what the legal divorce counsellor does is coordinating the client's document and understanding the funds," says Kessler. "If you can be exceptionally coordinated and get all your financial and monetary records in a coordinated and methodical style, you will save a ton of the expense."

Doing this spadework yourself "can save a huge number of dollars in expenses," Guthrie says.

Lawyer Jessica Emery of The Emery Law Firm in St. Louis suggests gathering three years of government forms and three late compensation nails; bank explanations and financial records; ongoing proclamations for any home loan or vehicle credits; speculation and retirement account articulations and duplicates of titles and deeds.

The more you can get these reports, which attorneys like, the better. Emery takes note that paper records cost something else for attorneys to process.

4. Email, Don't Phone

Your lawyer's time is cash, so be wise about how you use it.

Email can be an efficient device if you're clear and concise. Be sensible about what you decide to email. Says Vacca: "While it might feel better to compose an email that permits you to vent, paying your legal advisor to peruse that email may not be the best utilization of your restricted assets."

Guthrie likewise exhorts that legal advisors "needn't bother with to be on every email or message that you and your mateship off one another."

If you have to call your legal counsellor, Vacca says, "ensure it's a booked call so you are both arranged and zeroed in on what must be examined. Have a rundown of inquiries prepared and take notes during the get back to so you can allude to them later."

That is one thing James did astutely in her divorce prep. "I always had a running rundown of subjects to cover and afterward was like, 'OK, we should wrap it up.'"

5. Avoid Paying for Appraisals When You Can

Examination charges for homes and vehicles can be excessive at the point when you can skirt proficient appraisers and concur with your companion on a worth.

According to the knight, "For vehicles, simply use Kelly Blue Book [a utilized vehicle esteem guide]." For your home, he says, "request that any Realtor give you a relative market investigation. They'll do it free of charge with expectations of getting the posting. It's not quite so exact as a paid examination, but rather it's most likely close enough."

An accident can make you fall in an overwhelmed situation. The trauma can cause you to be perplexed about what to do.

Therefore, you must know what to do after a car accident in which you were involved. Well, first things first, you need to check your injury and get medical help. However, there are still things to do, such as file an accident case for proper compensation or settlement.

This article will teach you what to do and how to ensure you get a favourable car accident settlement in Calgary.

Step-by-step guide on what to do after a car accident

If you have been involved in a car accident, here are a few things you should do to protect yourself and your interests:

Stop immediately

If possible, you must stop at a safe spot as soon as the incident occurs. You should never drive away from an accident, even a minor one, as it can be taken as a hit and run.

Protect the scene of the accident

You must make the scene as visible as possible to avoid further accidents. If possible, set up flares or keep your lights flashing. If the location is dark and your lights do not work, use a flashlight to keep you safe while you wait.

Call the authorities

Even if the accident did not result in serious injuries, you are still recommended to call the police. Most insurance companies require you to have a police report filed, even if it's just for damages to your vehicle. The vehicles involved in the accident should remain where they are unless they obstruct traffic.

Report the incident accurately

When the police arrive, you should tell the officers exactly what happened to the best of your knowledge. If you are unaware of specific facts, you should truthfully admit so to the officer. It is never a good idea to speculate, guess or misstate any facts.

If you are asked whether you are injured, you should say you are unsure instead of saying no, as the injuries from a car accident often become apparent much later.

Also, make sure that the other persons involved in the accident also report the accident accurately.

Take photos

Use your cell phone or any other camera you may have access to at the time to take pictures of the vehicles if the damages are visible. If you have visible injuries, take photos of them too.

Do not in any way interfere with the ongoing police investigation. If you cannot take pictures at the scene, do so soon after.

Exchange insurance and contact information

Although the investigating officer completes this step, if the police do not respond to the accident, you should gather contact information of all those involved in the accident, regardless of whether they were passengers or drivers.

You should also gather insurance information by seeing the insurance card for all vehicles involved. If there are witnesses to the accident, you should collect their information so you or your lawyer can contact them later if required.

If the police respond to the accident, they will provide you with a number you can use to obtain the police report.

Notify your insurer

You should inform your insurance company of the incident as soon as possible. Most insurers require you to report immediately and cooperate fully.

Seek medical attention

It is common for injuries resulting from a car accident not to be immediately apparent. Unless you are sure that you are uninjured, you should seek medical attention by visiting the emergency room or your family doctor.

Even a slight injury can cause permanent damage to your spinal cord. If you had lost consciousness or were dazed after the accident, you may have suffered head trauma which can lead to cognitive and behavioural changes if left untreated.

Maintain a File

Keep all the documents related to your accident in one place. This includes the claim number provided by your insurer and the claims adjuster's contact information. Names and phone numbers of all people involved and receipts for any expenses incurred due to the accident.

Get advice from a lawyer

Maybe the most important thing you can do after an accident is to consult your lawyer. Your lawyer can protect your rights and gather any evidence relevant to the accident. Your insurance company may require you to provide a statement, and you must speak to your lawyer before you do so.

Your lawyer can help you get the proper compensation for any damages you may have suffered from the accident. Since most lawyers work on a contingency fee basis in these situations, you must hire one to handle any legal issues arising from the accident. There will be no legal fee unless you have received compensation.

Conclusion

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, you must follow the advice mentioned in this article to avoid any legal liabilities you may face.

You may believe that the fault lies on the other party, and you don't need a lawyer, but it can sometimes be the case that the other party has blamed you for the accident.

In cases such as these, it is crucial to have an experienced lawyer protecting your right and ensuring that you get the best outcome in the event of a legal proceeding.

The end of a relationship can be an emotional time for both parties, and it can be especially tough for any children involved. Children are often the biggest cause of concern for couples during a separation or divorce.

If you believe your partner is unfit to be a proper parent for your child, you may seek sole custody. Read on to learn more about custody and Canada's grounds for sole custody.

What is child custody?

Child custody is the legal authority granted to a person to make decisions on behalf of a child whose parents are no longer in a relationship.

In many instances, the parents can mutually decide a child's custody decision when they separate. If this is the case, then the parents must ensure their agreement is documented in a legally binding document.

In most cases, parents agree upon joint custody, but there are times when a parent may seek sole custody. If a parent has been uninvolved in a child's life, is unable to be a suitable parent, or if a parent must leave the country for extended periods, even permanently, it makes sense to seek sole custody.

If the child's parents cannot find an amicable agreement, the courts will determine who will get custody and what type of custody it will be.

What are the types of custody?

There are four main types of custody as per Divorce Law in Canada:

Sole custody

If a parent gains sole or full custody of a child, then they are responsible for making all decisions related to the child. The other parent is entitled to all information about the child's wellbeing, including information from the child's doctor, teachers, etc.

Joint custody

When parents have joint custody of a child, they are both responsible for deciding on the child's behalf. This is called joint legal custody. If the parents disagree on certain issues, they can seek help through mediation or a parenting coordinator who is given the authority to decide by the courts.

This custody is only provided if parents have demonstrated the ability to cooperate in parenting matters. However, even if parents have joint custody, the residency and access arrangements may vary.

Shared custody

Also known as joint physical custody, this occurs when both parents spend a minimum of 40% of their time with their child.

Split custody

This occurs when one parent has custody of some children while the other has custody of the rest. Courts usually try not to separate younger children from their siblings, but sometimes older siblings may choose to live with different parents.

What are the things the court will consider when determining custody?

If the court is asked to determine the custody of a child, then there are a few things that a judge must consider when deciding whom to give custody to and what type it will be. Among these considerations are:

• The best interests of the child
• The bond and relationship between parent and child
• The parenting abilities of the individuals
• The emotional and physical health of the parents
• The parents' schedule
• Any available support system of the parents (Grandparents, close relatives, family friends)
• Siblings are also considered. The court prefers to keep all siblings together, but they may have to be separated in certain circumstances.
• In care arrangements, the courts will want to know who the primary caregiver was
• The child's wishes. If the child is over the age of 12, then their wishes are taken into consideration and usually respected by the court.
• The parent's past behavior is only taken into consideration if their behavior is seen to be affecting their ability to be a parent

What are the grounds for sole custody?

For many parents, sometimes the best or only decision they can make regarding their child is to get sole custody. It isn't easy to get sole custody, as most courts want children to have access to both parents. However, if one of the parents falls under the following grounds, then sole custody may be granted.

Abuse

If a parent has assaulted or sexually abused the other parent or child, then it is evidence that the child may be in danger.

Neglect

If the parent in question has previously been neglectful of the child, they may continue to do so. Neglect is when the parent fails to provide the child with necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, medical and dental care, or other safeguards.

Drug abuse

A parent who regularly abuses drugs and alcohol may not be in the right state of mind to properly care for the child, which can pose a danger.

Mental illness

Suppose a parent has a mental illness and exhibits mentally erratic, unpredictable behavior. In that case, the child should be protected from them as they can be a danger to both themselves and the child.

You should seek sole custody to protect the child from mental and physical harm.

Abandonment

Often, a parent is either unable to or unwilling to care for the child. If the parent has shown little interest in their child's life and has not been in contact with the child, you may seek sole custody.

Incarceration

If a parent is in jail and thus cannot provide a home or care for the child, you may want to seek sole custody, and the other parent can visit the child after incarceration. You are not obligated to visit the parent in jail if you believe it may emotionally affect the child.

Relocation

If a parent is planning on moving out of the territory of the country, it may be best for the child for one parent to have sole custody.

The main intention behind custody should be for the child's good, not to deprive the other parent out of spite.

How can you decide custody without going to court?

Sometimes going to court to decide the custody of a child can be expensive and stressful for you and the child. There are other options you can seek to find help in reaching agreements on child custody. Below are a few of them:

Family mediators

A mediator has a legal or social work background and special training in dispute resolution. They will work with both parents to discuss and determine the best arrangements for the child.

Lawyers

Another alternative is taking the help of a lawyer to help you negotiate an out-of-court agreement. They will help you understand your rights and obligations for both you and your spouse. However, it is recommended you both hire separate lawyers.

Therapists

Parents can meet with professionals who specialize in the effects of separation and divorce on children, such as psychologists, social workers, family therapists, etc. The guidance they can provide to the parents can help them negotiate an agreement.

Parents-education sessions

In Canada, many courts host parent-education events where they are provided with information, options for settling issues, and even information on how separation and divorce affect children.

Conclusion

Sole custody in Canada is only awarded if there is sufficient evidence against the other parent that they cannot care for the child sufficiently or if it can be proven that the child would be at risk if they were with the other parent.

Although most courts prefer to keep both parents in the child's life, if the circumstances fall under the grounds mentioned above, then the court will decide to award sole custody to a single parent. Remember, the court will decide based on what is best for the child.

If you or a loved one is seeking to take full custody of a child, it is recommended that you seek the advice of an experienced divorce lawyer so they can protect your rights and do what is necessary to get you sole custody.

Getting a divorce in Canada, or guardians who as of now have their divorce, should comply to the government child support rules while deciding their monetary obligation regarding their children. Presently, you typically should simply look at the rules to decide the right child support sum.

The most vital and most accommodating parts of the rules are child support tables. Normally, you should simply to counsel these tables to sort out exactly what the child support should be. Every territory has a different table. The one that you use not entirely set in stone by the home of the parent that will pay the support. Assuming that parent ends up living in another country, you should utilize the commonplace table that depends on the home of the parent who has guardianship.

Paying for Child Support

Whenever you have picked the suitable common table it is only a straightforward course of cross ordering the quantity of children with the gross yearly pay of the parent paying support. This will show you precisely what the month to month child support sum ought to be. This will be the sum the court will anticipate that you should concur upon except if you can show why an alternate sum would be more fitting. If you have any desire to utilize an alternate sum you need to make sense of why, involving the other rules as an aide. Since the two guardians consent to another sum won't be viewed as a sufficient clarification. On the off chance that the court isn't fulfilled that your sum is supported by the rules, the court will force a sum it accepts is more proper.

A portion of the common child support in Canada for digressing from the rule table sum incorporate occurrences with a surprisingly more perplexing child care course of action. Generally, one parent is the essential guardian, while the other one will visit the children in light of a proper timetable or in view of a game plan which vacillates now and again. In cases like these, it is proper to utilize the rule table sum.

Custody for Special Case

The special case is made when there is shared nurturing, the children enjoy roughly a similar measure of time with each parent, or when the children are parted between the two guardians. In these circumstances the most widely recognized thing to do is to sort out what each parent should pay the other as indicated by the tables and afterward take away the two figures with the parent owing the most paying the distinction to the next.

Different occasions that merit special cases will be situations where the parent with access has significant expenses, (for example, broad transportation expenses) and has a way of life which is not exactly that of the other parent.

When in doubt of thumb, child support should be paid for any child that has not arrived at the time of larger part, as well with respect to any child who is going to school full time, especially assuming the guardians have consented to pay for the tutoring.

In Canada there are a few grounds whereupon a mate might petition for legal separation.

No Fault Based Grounds

In a no-issue based justification for divorce, a life partner should essentially demonstrate that the marriage is hopelessly broken as characterized by M.G.L. c. 208 §1A or M.G.L. c. 208 §1B. Inside these no-issue based grounds, there are two kinds of divorces for which a mate can document.

Assuming the two players consent to get divorced, they can mutually seek legal separation through a Joint Petition for Divorce. This is normally known as a "1A" divorce. Here, the gatherings mutually record an appeal with the court, which is joined by a Separation Agreement which settles all issues in regards to the divorce, and just need to demonstrate that the marriage is hopelessly broken, and there is zero chance at compromise.

If by some stroke of good luck one party needs a divorce, they can document a no-shortcoming divorce by recording a complaint ground for Divorce, normally known as a "1B" divorce. Here, the gatherings don't at first consent to divorce, however one life partner is expressing that the marriage is hopelessly broken, and has freely started the divorce cycle. For this situation, the life partner doesn't have to demonstrate that the other mate is to blame for the divorce; they basically need to demonstrate that the marriage is hopelessly broken and the gatherings get no opportunity at accommodating.

Shortcoming Based Grounds

In shortcoming based divorce, a companion is recording a divorce and asserting that the other mate is at fault (to blame) for the divorce. There are 7 justification for shortcoming based divorce. 

Infidelity: To demonstrate this ground for divorce, a companion should name the individual their life partner was faithless with and serve that individual a duplicate of the Complaint for Divorce, as well as serving their mate.

Horrible and Abusive Treatment: To demonstrate this ground for divorce, a life partner should demonstrate that their companion was oppressive to them on assorted dates. This doesn't be guaranteed to must be actual brutality; it just needs to make injury or mischief the casualty's wellbeing or make a dread that the mate might hurt the casualty's wellbeing.

Gross and Confirmed Habits of Intoxication: To demonstrate this ground for divorce, a life partner should demonstrate that their mate has willfully and unreasonably utilized inebriating alcohol or medications on numerous dates. It doesn't need to be everyday substance misuse, yet should be normal episodes of inebriation.

Impotency: To demonstrate this ground for divorce, a companion should demonstrate that their mate was inept from a particular date up to and until the date of documenting the Complaint for Divorce.

Sentence or Confinement to Prison: Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 208 §2, in the event that a companion has been condemned to repression for live or five years or more in government or state jail or other restorative office, the life partner who isn't in jail might seek legal separation.

Unadulterated Desertion: To demonstrate this ground for divorce, a companion should demonstrate that the other life partner left intentionally and without defense, without a plan to return, and remained away for something like one year preceding the date of petitioning for legal separation. Assuming the companion returns, in any event, for a concise period, and two or three attempts to accommodate, the one year time span should begin to process once more.

For the most part, in Canada, mates never again record for shortcoming based justification for divorce. The justification behind this being that for the divorce to be conceded, the Plaintiff mate should really demonstrate the ground for divorce that they petitioned for. Though, in a no-shortcoming based divorce, the companions should simply demonstrate that there is no possibility at compromise.