Know Before You Go

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389

Know Before You GoKnow Before You Go

The Marriage is OverThe Marriage is Over

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389


This Seminar will help a 'leaving This Seminar will help a 'leaving spouse' to understand the many spouse' to understand the many issues:issues:

Legal, financial, and emotional – that Legal, financial, and emotional – that arise from the decision to move out. arise from the decision to move out.

Considering these issues will help Considering these issues will help leaving spouses make the best leaving spouses make the best decisions possible for all concerned. decisions possible for all concerned.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389


Don’t leave unless absolutely Don’t leave unless absolutely necessary. necessary.

Figure out the finances. Figure out the finances. Prepare for parenting apart. Prepare for parenting apart. Itemize the assets and the debts. Itemize the assets and the debts. Gather resources. Gather resources. Assemble the team. Assemble the team. Educate yourself. Educate yourself.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389

Know Before You GoKnow Before You Go Lawyers Says Don’t leave unless absolutely Lawyers Says Don’t leave unless absolutely

necessary.necessary. Problems:Problems: Staying, Can be the root of higher conflictStaying, Can be the root of higher conflict Leaving, May create a power imbalanceLeaving, May create a power imbalance Solutions:Solutions: Control your Control your emotionsemotions, get help, get help Have patience, A separation may take years (with or Have patience, A separation may take years (with or

without lawyers) without lawyers) Your ex maybe in denialYour ex maybe in denial Talk in terms of your new life with your spouseTalk in terms of your new life with your spouse Personal decision Personal decision

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389

Know Before You GoKnow Before You Go Figure out the finances.Figure out the finances. Develop a living apart personal budgetDevelop a living apart personal budget Can you afford to move out now ?Can you afford to move out now ? Establish Your own Banking, Accounts, Establish Your own Banking, Accounts,

Credit Cards.Credit Cards. No Credit ? Apply to:No Credit ? Apply to: Home Trust Visa Home Trust Visa Peoples MasterCardPeoples MasterCard CapitalOne MasterCardCapitalOne MasterCard Use online bankingUse online banking

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389


Prepare for parenting apart.Prepare for parenting apart. Develop a Parenting PlanDevelop a Parenting Plan More then just a visitation scheduleMore then just a visitation schedule Deal with the fears of ex-spouse Deal with the fears of ex-spouse

about the childrenabout the children

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389


Itemize the assets and the debts.Itemize the assets and the debts. Use asset tracking approachUse asset tracking approach Get Documentation.Get Documentation. Document, Document, Document Document, Document, Document In Court if you cannot prove it you lose itIn Court if you cannot prove it you lose it Litigated Divorces are won and lost on Litigated Divorces are won and lost on

Documentation.Documentation. Following this will save your tens of Following this will save your tens of

thousands in legal costs. thousands in legal costs.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389

Document, Document, DocumentDocument, Document, Document

MAIL:MAIL: Review all mail coming into Review all mail coming into your house and make a list of the your house and make a list of the sender and return address. It is very sender and return address. It is very important to know the address of important to know the address of stockbrokers, insurance companies, stockbrokers, insurance companies, credit issuers, banks, and revenue credit issuers, banks, and revenue properties, COPY THESE properties, COPY THESE DOCUMENTS. DOCUMENTS.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389


PERSONAL MATTERS:PERSONAL MATTERS: Have your Have your mail sent to an address other than mail sent to an address other than the Matrimonial Home for your the Matrimonial Home for your privacy and to ensure that you privacy and to ensure that you receive it. For example, a post office receive it. For example, a post office box or home of a close friend or box or home of a close friend or relative. File a change of address relative. File a change of address notice with the post office. notice with the post office.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389


FAMILY FINANCES:FAMILY FINANCES: Review all Review all monthly bank statements and monthly bank statements and brokerage statements, credit card brokerage statements, credit card statements, property assessments, statements, property assessments, and COPY THESE DOCUMENTS. Give and COPY THESE DOCUMENTS. Give copies of necessary documents in copies of necessary documents in safekeeping outside the homesafekeeping outside the home

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389


TAX RETURN:TAX RETURN: Review all tax returns Review all tax returns that have been filed by you and your that have been filed by you and your spouse. Demand an explanation as spouse. Demand an explanation as to any item, which may be to any item, which may be questionable before signing. Make questionable before signing. Make complete copies of tax returns for complete copies of tax returns for the last several years. the last several years.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389


TAXES OWED:TAXES OWED: Be certain that all Be certain that all taxes owed to the Federal taxes owed to the Federal Government or other taxing agencies Government or other taxing agencies are paid to date. IF NOT COPY are paid to date. IF NOT COPY NOTICES OF ASSESSMENT. NOTICES OF ASSESSMENT.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389


SAFE DEPOSIT BOX:SAFE DEPOSIT BOX: Inventory and Inventory and review the contents of any safe review the contents of any safe deposit box. List the contents deposit box. List the contents including cash and jewelry. Be sure including cash and jewelry. Be sure that all safe deposit boxes are in joint that all safe deposit boxes are in joint names. TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS AND names. TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS AND COPIES OF THE CONTENTS. COPIES OF THE CONTENTS.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389


BUSINESS INTERESTS:BUSINESS INTERESTS: Be familiar Be familiar with your spouse’s business with your spouse’s business interests. Become involved and be interests. Become involved and be aware of financial information aware of financial information regarding the business by getting full regarding the business by getting full information on the business, information on the business, including bank documents, loan including bank documents, loan applications, corporate tax returns applications, corporate tax returns and financial statements. and financial statements.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389


MATRIMONIAL ASSETS:MATRIMONIAL ASSETS: Do not Do not transfer, sign, or make a gift of transfer, sign, or make a gift of marital assets in joint names. Credit marital assets in joint names. Credit cards in joint names may discourage cards in joint names may discourage large personal purchases by one large personal purchases by one party. Conversely, you may wish to party. Conversely, you may wish to cancel credit cards to prevent large cancel credit cards to prevent large purchases by your spouse without purchases by your spouse without your permission. your permission.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389


PENSION PLANS:PENSION PLANS: Obtain copies of Obtain copies of your pension plan and your spouse’s your pension plan and your spouse’s also with any yearly statements and also with any yearly statements and determine when they vest and determine when they vest and benefits become payable, ask for the benefits become payable, ask for the plan booklets and latest contribution plan booklets and latest contribution statements.statements.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389


WILLS AND TRUSTS:WILLS AND TRUSTS: Obtain copies Obtain copies of any wills or trust agreements and of any wills or trust agreements and be involved in any estate planning. be involved in any estate planning.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389


LOANS:LOANS: Review and make copies of Review and make copies of all loan documents, mortgage all loan documents, mortgage applications, and financial applications, and financial statements. statements.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389


SIGNATURE:SIGNATURE: Do not sign any Do not sign any financial statements if blank. Know financial statements if blank. Know what you are signing and always what you are signing and always keep a copy. keep a copy.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389

PlanningPlanning

MEDICAL:MEDICAL: Have a complete medial Have a complete medial and dental check up. Be sure that and dental check up. Be sure that you have medical and dental you have medical and dental insurance (if available) in the event insurance (if available) in the event of separation. of separation.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389


CANADA PENSION PLAN:CANADA PENSION PLAN: Obtain Obtain Canada Pension Plan statements. Canada Pension Plan statements.

Available at Service Canada – online Available at Service Canada – online or in officeor in office

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389

Gather Resources PlanningGather Resources Planning

SAVINGS AND PERSONAL SAVINGS AND PERSONAL FINANCES:FINANCES: Separation generally Separation generally causes immediate economic causes immediate economic hardship. Put away cash or keep hardship. Put away cash or keep money in traveler’s checks in order money in traveler’s checks in order to be able to purchase personal to be able to purchase personal necessities in the event of a necessities in the event of a separation. separation.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389

Gather ResourcesGather Resources

AUTOMOBILE:AUTOMOBILE: Be sure that your Be sure that your automobile is in good working automobile is in good working condition and that it is titled jointly or condition and that it is titled jointly or in your sole name. in your sole name.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389


INSURANCE:INSURANCE: Review and make Review and make copies of all insurance policies copies of all insurance policies relating to the matrimonial residence relating to the matrimonial residence furnishings, or other assets. This furnishings, or other assets. This should include any jewelry, should include any jewelry, silverware, or other valuable. Make silverware, or other valuable. Make copies of any appraisal that have copies of any appraisal that have been prepared.been prepared.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389

Gather resourcesGather resources

INDEBTEDNESS:INDEBTEDNESS: Do not create any Do not create any additional debts and make no large additional debts and make no large purchases such as a new boat or car. purchases such as a new boat or car. Keep your assets as liquid as Keep your assets as liquid as possible possible

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389


LIABILITY:LIABILITY: Prepare a complete list Prepare a complete list of all debts or obligations including of all debts or obligations including credit cards, notes, mortgages, etc. credit cards, notes, mortgages, etc. Identify each debts, when it was Identify each debts, when it was incurred and the reason for the debt. incurred and the reason for the debt. Identify who has been making Identify who has been making payments on them, as well as the payments on them, as well as the monthly or annual amounts. monthly or annual amounts.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389


ASSETS:ASSETS: Prepare a complete list of all Prepare a complete list of all assets in your name and your spouse’s. assets in your name and your spouse’s. Include whether the assets are held Include whether the assets are held individually or jointly and the source of the individually or jointly and the source of the assets, whether inherited, gifted, or in the assets, whether inherited, gifted, or in the name of a third party on your behalf. It is name of a third party on your behalf. It is important to determine whether the assets important to determine whether the assets were acquired prior to or during the were acquired prior to or during the marriage. Make copies of any documents marriage. Make copies of any documents which show the details and values of all which show the details and values of all assets and debts assets and debts

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389

Document, Document, Document Document, Document, Document

INHERITANCES:INHERITANCES: Keep all Keep all inheritances separate from the inheritances separate from the marital estate. Do not put an marital estate. Do not put an inheritance into joint names and do inheritance into joint names and do not use proceeds to pay for family not use proceeds to pay for family expenses or purchases or to pay expenses or purchases or to pay down debts. down debts.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389

Document, Document, Document Document, Document, Document

EMPLOYMENT:EMPLOYMENT: Do not quit work if Do not quit work if you are employed. It is important to you are employed. It is important to secure your future financial secure your future financial independence and earn enough to independence and earn enough to maintain assets such as your home maintain assets such as your home and car. and car.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389


RESIDENCE:RESIDENCE: DO NOT MOVE OUT of DO NOT MOVE OUT of the family residence without first the family residence without first discussing it with your lawyer. discussing it with your lawyer.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389

Good for Happy MarriageGood for Happy Marriage

Actually, these are good Actually, these are good recommendations for EVERYBODY, recommendations for EVERYBODY, even in the happiest marriage. Don’t even in the happiest marriage. Don’t wait for divorce to be involved in wait for divorce to be involved in your own life your own life

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389

Assemble the teamAssemble the team.. DIVORCE FINANCIAL PROFESSIONAL:DIVORCE FINANCIAL PROFESSIONAL: A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst™ helps A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst™ helps

clients determine the short term and long-term clients determine the short term and long-term financial impact of any proposed divorce financial impact of any proposed divorce settlement. Pre–divorce, they can provide you settlement. Pre–divorce, they can provide you with a thorough knowledge and understanding of with a thorough knowledge and understanding of the implications of the decisions you will make the implications of the decisions you will make with respect to your assets and liabilities. They with respect to your assets and liabilities. They also provide valuable information on all financial also provide valuable information on all financial issues that are related to the divorce, such as tax issues that are related to the divorce, such as tax consequences. A Divorce Finance specialist will consequences. A Divorce Finance specialist will help to empower you to make educated financial help to empower you to make educated financial decisions during divorce negotiations.decisions during divorce negotiations.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389

Assemble the teamAssemble the team

LAWYERS:LAWYERS: Family lawyers represent the interests of Family lawyers represent the interests of

ONE party in the case of a divorce. A ONE party in the case of a divorce. A family lawyer informs clients of their legal family lawyer informs clients of their legal rights and of the laws of divorce. They rights and of the laws of divorce. They handle the termination of their client's handle the termination of their client's marriage through negotiation with another marriage through negotiation with another lawyer or often through litigation and lawyer or often through litigation and produce a legal agreement with respect to produce a legal agreement with respect to matrimonial property and support.matrimonial property and support.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389


MEDIATORS:MEDIATORS: Mediation is a conflict-resolution process in Mediation is a conflict-resolution process in

which an impartial third party (the which an impartial third party (the mediator) helps the participants in mediator) helps the participants in negotiating a consensual, informed and fair negotiating a consensual, informed and fair agreement. Decision–making rests with the agreement. Decision–making rests with the parties throughout. The mediator assists parties throughout. The mediator assists the parties in identifying issues and the parties in identifying issues and information needs, reducing obstacles to information needs, reducing obstacles to communication, exploring alternatives and communication, exploring alternatives and focusing on the needs and interests of focusing on the needs and interests of those who it is agreed are affected.those who it is agreed are affected.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389


THERAPIST:THERAPIST: A psychologist studies how we think, feel A psychologist studies how we think, feel

and behave from a scientific viewpoint and and behave from a scientific viewpoint and applies this knowledge to help people applies this knowledge to help people understand, explain and change their understand, explain and change their behavior. They know how to help people behavior. They know how to help people deal with their feelings and attitudes and deal with their feelings and attitudes and develop healthier and more effective develop healthier and more effective patterns of behavior. They support people in patterns of behavior. They support people in their emotional divorce and help people their emotional divorce and help people towards divorce recovery.towards divorce recovery.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389

Assemble the teamAssemble the team Divorce CoachDivorce Coach Divorce Coaching is a powerful partnership which Divorce Coaching is a powerful partnership which

focuses on the client taking action toward the focuses on the client taking action toward the recovery and moving on after a divorce. Divorce recovery and moving on after a divorce. Divorce Coaches are in demand by anyone who has had a Coaches are in demand by anyone who has had a divorce whether they are just thinking about divorce whether they are just thinking about divorce or have been divorced for months, years divorce or have been divorced for months, years or decades. Divorced people are using coaches or decades. Divorced people are using coaches to help them through the mourning and recovery to help them through the mourning and recovery process, to bring out their best, help them create process, to bring out their best, help them create the rest of their lives for themselves and their the rest of their lives for themselves and their families. families.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389


Parenting CoachParenting Coach A Parenting Coach provides individual A Parenting Coach provides individual

guidance and assistance to a parent who guidance and assistance to a parent who wishes to more positively contribute to the wishes to more positively contribute to the Parenting Partnership and/or more effectively Parenting Partnership and/or more effectively manage their response to negative parenting manage their response to negative parenting behaviors. Assistance may focus on: behaviors. Assistance may focus on: improving communication, making successful improving communication, making successful transitions, creating reasonable boundaries, transitions, creating reasonable boundaries, addressing a sensitive topic and managing addressing a sensitive topic and managing the impact of a new spouse.the impact of a new spouse.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389

Educate yourself Educate yourself

Visit the Family Law Resource CentreVisit the Family Law Resource Centre Join a support group; DivorceCareJoin a support group; DivorceCare Read Books Read Books Read Divorce Parenting StudiesRead Divorce Parenting Studies Educate yourself to alternatives to Educate yourself to alternatives to

the Litigated Divorcethe Litigated Divorce

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389

Lawyer AdviceLawyer Advice

Consultation vs RetainerConsultation vs Retainer Legal Shield Services Family Law Resource Centre (Court House)Family Law Resource Centre (Court House)

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389

Selecting a Lawyer - 4 TipsSelecting a Lawyer - 4 Tips Just as there is no “one size fits all” Just as there is no “one size fits all”

process choice for divorce (collaboration, process choice for divorce (collaboration, mediation, litigation), there is definitely no mediation, litigation), there is definitely no “one size fits all” lawyer for your divorce. “one size fits all” lawyer for your divorce. The lawyer you choose will depend on the The lawyer you choose will depend on the process you hope to use, so that’s the process you hope to use, so that’s the decision you need to make first.decision you need to make first.

Once you have done your homework and Once you have done your homework and have a picture of what is best for you and have a picture of what is best for you and your family in terms of process, here are your family in terms of process, here are the Four Tips to consider when deciding on the Four Tips to consider when deciding on the best lawyer for you:the best lawyer for you:

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389

Selecting a Lawyer - 4 TipsSelecting a Lawyer - 4 Tips

1. Fees.1. Fees. Lawyer’s fees aren’t cheap, but Lawyer’s fees aren’t cheap, but the hourly rate should not be the the hourly rate should not be the determining factor either. And a word to the determining factor either. And a word to the wise here — a higher priced lawyer does wise here — a higher priced lawyer does not necessarily insure better results for you. not necessarily insure better results for you. Most lawyers fees range from $100 an hour Most lawyers fees range from $100 an hour to as much as $1,000 a hour, depending on to as much as $1,000 a hour, depending on where you live. Do some investigation in where you live. Do some investigation in your area and determine the typical hourly your area and determine the typical hourly rate for divorce lawyers.rate for divorce lawyers.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389

Selecting a Lawyer - 4 TipsSelecting a Lawyer - 4 Tips 2. Experience.2. Experience. For the best and most efficient For the best and most efficient

results, find a lawyer who specializes in family results, find a lawyer who specializes in family law, or who at least spends the majority of his or law, or who at least spends the majority of his or her practice in this area. This is important her practice in this area. This is important because an experienced divorce lawyer will know because an experienced divorce lawyer will know the tendencies of the various judges and other the tendencies of the various judges and other divorce lawyers in your area. divorce lawyers in your area.

You also want someone who has a good working You also want someone who has a good working relationship with the judges and other lawyers. A relationship with the judges and other lawyers. A lawyer with expertise in family law will be able to lawyer with expertise in family law will be able to offer you clear explanations of your process offer you clear explanations of your process choices and be able to answer your burning choices and be able to answer your burning questions in a way that will make sense to you.questions in a way that will make sense to you.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389

Selecting a Lawyer - 4 TipsSelecting a Lawyer - 4 Tips 3. Referrals.3. Referrals. This is probably the most This is probably the most

common way clients come to me, as common way clients come to me, as referrals from other clients or other referrals from other clients or other professionals in the area. If you don’t know professionals in the area. If you don’t know who to go to (the phone book will probably who to go to (the phone book will probably confuse you even more!), ask a friend, a co-confuse you even more!), ask a friend, a co-worker, a therapist, a minister, priest, rabbi, worker, a therapist, a minister, priest, rabbi, or a financial advisor for a recommendation. or a financial advisor for a recommendation.

Hearing what others have to say will help Hearing what others have to say will help you decide who you would like to see for a you decide who you would like to see for a consultation.consultation.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389

Selecting a Lawyer - 4 TipsSelecting a Lawyer - 4 Tips 4. Good Fit and Accessibility Factor.4. Good Fit and Accessibility Factor. Finally, Finally,

and perhaps most important, is that you have a and perhaps most important, is that you have a good connection with the lawyer you choose. You good connection with the lawyer you choose. You won’t know this until you actually have a won’t know this until you actually have a consultation with that lawyer and have the consultation with that lawyer and have the opportunity to ask your questions and see how you opportunity to ask your questions and see how you feel about the responses. feel about the responses.

You should know after your consultation whether You should know after your consultation whether you feel like you and this lawyer will work well you feel like you and this lawyer will work well together. If you aren’t sure, keep looking. Whatever together. If you aren’t sure, keep looking. Whatever you do, don’t think about hiring a lawyer just you do, don’t think about hiring a lawyer just because of their reputation. Always have a because of their reputation. Always have a consultation and make sure it’s the right fit for you. consultation and make sure it’s the right fit for you.

Be proactive for your own case.Be proactive for your own case.

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389

What Will Divorce CostWhat Will Divorce Cost Kitchen Table – DIY $500 Kitchen Table – DIY $500 60 days60 days Mediated - $1000 to $5000 Mediated - $1000 to $5000 120 days120 days Collaborative Lawyer - $7500 to $15,000Collaborative Lawyer - $7500 to $15,000 4 to 8 months4 to 8 months Arbitration - $40,000 Arbitration - $40,000 12 months12 months Litigated - $ 25,000 to $100,000 Litigated - $ 25,000 to $100,000 2-4 years2-4 years

Ken S. Maynard (877) 932-8389

Keeping it out of CourtKeeping it out of Court

Control your EmotionsControl your Emotions Patience Patience PersistencePersistence CounsellingCounselling TimeTime Do Not React Do Not React Show Love and Understanding Show Love and Understanding

Documents

Know Before You Go