Ontario Family Law Podcast

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The award-winning Ontario Family Law Podcast is hosted by Certified Specialist in Family Law, Ontario family lawyer, mediator, arbitrator and collaborative lawyer, John Schuman. John is also the author of the Guide to the Basics of Ontario Family Law, which is available from Amazon as a paperback or a Kindle eBook and from iTunes for your iphone/ipad.

In an easy-to-understand manner, the podcast discusses all family law matters, from marriage, to separation and divorce, and child welfare issues. John discusses many, and the most important, family law issues in depth and provides pointers to keep people out of trouble.

John has also devoted episodes to the podcast to discussing children rights issues and provides advice to parents about how to protect their children, especially vulnerable children at school or when dealing with Children’s Aid Societies.

A complete list of all the podcasts topics is at the left (or below for mobile users).

Some of the topics covered include:

marriage contracts and cohabitation agreement
what does "divorce” mean
how do you get child custody? How does a judge decide which parent gets custody?
what say to children get in family court?
how is child support calculated?
what are special and extraordinary expenses? Who pays? How much?
how is property divided after separation (and how that is different for married and common-law couples)
what is family mediation, family arbitration and collaborative practice?
how to keep assets away from your inlays
the Ontario Family Court process, step-by-step, from how to start court proceedings, through all the steps leading up to trial, and even how to change a final order or agreement
domestic violence and what to do
special family law issues for Emergency First Responders (Police, Paramedics, Firefighters, etc.)
special topics on children’s issues and children’s rights, especially with regard to the rights children have in pubic schools, and what to expect from private schools.
common law relationships

This podcast It is essential listening for anyone experiencing major life events. Just listening can make sure you do not fall into any family law pitfalls. You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or by using RSS.

Starting with Podcast Episode 36, the podcasts are also available in video format both on this site and on YouTube.

Many thanks to Little Jackie Wright for providing the theme music for the Ontario Family Law Podcast. We appreciate their ongoing permission to use their original material

In addition to the Ontario Family Law Podcast, listen to John Schuman on the following radio programs:

CBC Toronto’s Here and Now, particularly with regard to the St. Mike’s Scandal. John has been Jill Dempsey’s guest several times and has also been a guest on Metro Morning.
The Ward & Al Show discussing child support
Difficult Custody Cases and Child Abduction on CBC Radio in Winnipeg
CBC Radio 1 discussing Grandparents Being Sued for Child Support
CBC Ontario Morning discussion “Divorce Month”
CBC Hear and Now Discussing the University Cheating Scandal in the United States

To contact John Schuman, use the email address or telephone number at the top of this page.

Guide to the Basics of Ontario Family Law - 4th edition cover

Paperback Available on:

Please share this podcast, using there buttons at the bottom of every episode’s page, to give more people access to this important information. Comment on each episode from the page for each episode.

The companion book to this podcast, The Guide to the Basics of Ontario Family Law is available by clicking on the book to the right. The e-book is $9.99 Kindle eBook, Kobo eBook, or iBook for your iPad or iPhone. The e-books are available for immediate download so people cab start getting informant and advice in minutes! The book is also possible to order it from Amazon as a paperback.If you have found this podcast useful, please feel free to share it on your social network by using the buttons to the left or at the bottom of the page. Hundreds of people download episodes of the podcast every month because of the valuable information it provides on family law and family court issues.

If you would like to contact John Schuman, pick any episode and fill out the contact form at the bottom of the page.

This podcast is provided for general information only. It does not constitute legal advice with regard to any specific situation.

57 - Could I Have To Pay Child Support to My Spouse’s Ex?

57 - Will My Spouse Have to Pay Child Support to My Ex?

Blended families are becoming more and more common as parents find new partners after the end of an earlier relationship. Some of those new partners can be reluctant to start a relationship with some who already has kids. That can make things complicated, especially as it often means the ex may still be hanging about. But, a BIG concern of many people considering starting a relationship with someone who is already a parent is whether becoming that parent’s spouse will mean becoming liable for that parent’s child support obligation. New spouse’s should not be liable for their partner’s child support obligation. But, the legal answer is more complicated.

When a person marries, or starts a relationship, with someone who has kids from a previous relationship, that person can be on the hook, directly or indirectly, to that partner’s ex. In this episode of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, Certified Specialist in Family Law, John Schuman, explains how that can happen, and how to avoid pay child support to a new partner’s ex.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will want to check out these ones:

12 - How Step Parents and Grand Parents Can Be on the Hook for Child Support

4 - How to Have An Enforceable Marriage Contract in Ontario

8 - How Your Heart Can Get You Into Trouble

9 - How Property is Divided After a Marriage in Ontario

10 - Child Support in Ontario/Canada

11 - Child Support’s Special and Extraordinary Expenses

20 - What Living Common Law Means (and What It Doesn’t)

29 - Common Law Separation and Property Division

53 - How to Pay Less Child Support

And listen to this radio program, and watch this TV News Story on grandparents being sued for child support.

Paperback available from:

The Ontario Family Law Podcast is a companion to the book, Guide to the Basics of Ontario Family Law, which is available as a $9.99 Kindle eBook, Kobo eBook, or iBook for your iPad or iPhone and as a paperback from Amazon and better bookstores. Anyone who has to deal with issues related to separation or divorce, the financial considerations in those circumstances or parenting concerns should rely on both this podcast and the book for easy-to-understand information and advice about how the law applies to their case and what are the best ways to address their concerns. The book also covers all the other related family law issues, such as child support, spousal support, property division and restraining orders. To get your copy of the book, click on the picture of the book above and to the left.

Thousands of people tune into the Ontario Family Law Podcast to get valuable pointers on family law, divorce and separation issues. Please feel free to share this podcast with your social network using the sharing buttons below. The host of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, John Schuman, is a Certified Specialist in Family Law, practicing in Toronto. If you would like to contact him, either call 416-446-5847, email us , or fill out form below and click “send.” To book a consultation, at a reduced rate, use this form.

You can comment on this podcast using the comments section below. Share your experiences with losing money - or coming out ahead, in your separation or divorce to supplement what people learn from this important podcast.

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Feb 7, 2021 at 5:33 PM

56 - Will My Ex Get My House If I Divorce?

56 - WIll My Ex Get the House If We Divorce

Family Law can really ruin things for people who have bought their own home. Over the past several months, if not years, the prices of homes have skyrocketed. It is no longer a simple feat to purchase a home – it requires a lot of hard work and obviously, money. To get a home, people have to work through school, spend years in full-time employment, finally earn enough income to secure a home, then make mortgage payments for several years.

After doing all that if the homeowner marries, then separates, a large chunk, perhaps even half of all that effort goes away to the ex “for free.” Marriage can take away your most significant asset. In this episode of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, Certified Specialist in Family Law, John Schuman, explains how that happens, and how to prevent it from happening, so married spouses can keep their homes if they divorce.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will want to check out these ones:

4. How to Have an Enforceable Marriage Contract in Ontario (audio only)

8. How Tour Heart Can Get You Into Financial Trouble (audio only)

9. How is Property Divided After a Marriage in Ontario (audio only)

29. Common Law Separation and Property Division (audio only)

33. The Law of Marriage Contracts and Cohabitation Agreements

40. How to Keep Your Money in Separation and Divorce

48. COVID Family Law Property Scam

Paperback available from:

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Jan 24, 2021 at 4:29 PM

55 - Can You Get Divorced in Canada?

55- Can you get divorced in Canada?

A lot of people either come to Canada married to someone else, or leave Canada to get married and then come back. When problems develop in their marriage, they wonder if they can get divorced in here, or if they have to go back to where they were married. Sometimes the spouse still lives abroad, which raises the question as to whether Canada can grant the divorce, or the other country must. This episode of the Ontario Family Law Podcast explains when spouses can get divorced in Canada, and when they cannot.

If you were married outside of Canada, or your spouse currently lives outside of Canada, this podcast explains what you need to do to get your divorce. The explanation includes what determines in which country spouses can get their divorce and what criteria they have to meet to get their divorce in Canada. It also explains the steps for getting a divorce in Canada when one spouse lives somewhere else, as well as going over how Ontario Family Courts will make orders for separated couples for things like parenting, child custody, child support, spousal support and property division - even when a divorce is not possible.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will want to check out these ones:

1. Separation and First Decisions

2. Deciding How to Resolve Matters After Separation

3. Divorce - What Does it Mean? How Do I Get One?

9. How is Property Divided After a Marriage in Ontario

10. Child Support - Who Pays and How Much?

26. Immigration Law Consequences of Separation and Divorce

40. How to Keep Your Money in Separation and Divorce

42. How to Get a "Legal Separation" in Ontario

51. Who Pays the Costs of an Ontario Divorce?

Paperback available from:

Thousands of people tune into the Ontario Family Law Podcast to get valuable pointers on family law, divorce and separation issues. Please feel free to share this podcast with your social network using the sharing buttons below. The host of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, John Schuman, is a Certified Specialist in Family Law, practicing in Toronto. If you would like to contact him, either call 416-446-5847, e mail us , or fill out form below and click “send.”

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Dec 20, 2020 at 1:32 PM

54 - Child Support Does Not End at Age 18

54 - Child Support Does Not End at 18

Many parents are under the mistaken belief that child support ends in Canada when a child turns 18 years old. Some even base their financial planning around being unburdened with child support when their offspring reaches voting age. Parent can be shocked to learn that child support obligations can continue long after their children reach the age of majority – in some cases much longer. Child support is often a hot topic. Many parents resent having to pay it and want it to end as soon as possible.

In this episode of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, Certified Specialist in Family Law, John Schuman, explains when and why parents can be on the hook for child support when their children are adults.

Unlike several jurisdictions of the United States, child support in Canada does not automatically end for a child when he or she turns 18 years old. In Canada, child support continues for children after their 18th birthday in one of two circumstances:

When the child is disabled, such that he or she remains financially dependent on his or her parents and cannot obtain employment or other income that is adequate to meet his or her needs
When that child is enrolled full-time in a program of education.

However, even in these circumstances, child support can change and in many instances be reduced below what it was when the child was less than 18 years old. In this episode, senior family lawyer, John Schuman, explains the specifics of what qualifies a child to receive support after age 18 (and what does not) and how child support can be changed.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will want to check out these ones:

53 - How to Pay Less Child Support

44 - Can You Be Better Off Financially If You Divorce?

40 - How to Keep Your Money in Separation and Divorce

36 - Is Family Court Biased?

34 - Disclosure in Family Law Cases

32 - How to Change a Support Order

14-16 Ontario Family Court Step-By-Step

12 - How Step Parents Can Be on the Hook for Child Support

11 - Child Support's Special and Extraordinary Expenses

10 - Child Support in Ontario and Canada

Paperback available from:

To book a Family Law Consult, click here.

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Oct 30, 2020 at 7:58 PM

53 - How to Pay Less Child Support

Child support gets more people angry on the internet than any other Family Law topic. But, if you speak to Family Court Judges, child support should not be controversial – people should show that they care for their kids by paying for their needs. Recognizing that most support payers do NOT want to overpay child support, this edition of the Ontario Family Law Podcast looks at ways to reduce child support and looks at some of the traps that result in higher child support than the law requires.

In this episode of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, Certified Specialist in Family Law, John Schuman, explains many of the factors that affect the amount of child support and which ones will and which ones will not end up reducing how much a parent pays. He covers the following child support issues:

how shared parenting can affect support
quitting a job or reducing income
income tax considerations
undue hardship
financial disclosure
section 7 expenses, and
step-parent and multiple parent families

This episode is critical listening or viewing for anyone who pays or receives child support to understand how each of those factors can change support.

If you enjoyed this episode, you will want to check out these ones:

44 - Can You Be Better Off Financially If You Divorce?

40 - How to Keep Your Money in Separation and Divorce

36 - Is Family Court Biased?

34 - Disclosure in Family Law Cases

32 - How to Change a Support Order

14-16 Ontario Family Court Step-By-Step

12 - How Step Parents Can Be on the Hook for Child Support

11 - Child Support's Special and Extraordinary Expenses

10 - Child Support in Ontario and Canada

Paperback available from:

To book a Family Law Consult, click here.

Use this form to reach us:

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Oct 2, 2020 at 7:12 PM

52 - How Are Pensions Divided in Divorce?

Pensions can be great to allow people to retire. But, they can cause a lot of stress in divorce. People who work in the public service, such a First Responders, health care workers, and other government employees often have pensions as part of their compensation. Although, many do not realize how valuable the pension is until they retire, or until they divorce and substantial value of the pension becomes something to be divided with the ex.

In this episode of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, Certified Specialist in Family Law, John Schuman, explains the often misunderstood Family Law concepts of when pensions are divided in separation and divorce, how to go about doing so, and the options separating spouses have when dealing with pensions at the end of a marriage.

If you found this episode helpful or interesting, check out the following episodes :

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Sep 5, 2020 at 7:32 PM

51 - Who Pays the Costs of an Ontario Divorce?

One of the things people worry most about when separating is the cost of getting divorced. The cost of going to Family Court can be very high. There can also be other expenses outside of court - fees charged by the Court, and fees charged by lawyers, accountants, mediators and other professionals. When divorces get complicated and nasty, the fees can run hundreds of thousands of dollars. Separating spouses want to know what those costs are and which spouse will pay them. Often, separating spouses also want to know how to keep those costs down

51 - Who Pays the Costs of An Ontario Divorce

In this episode of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, Certified Specialist in Family Law, John Schuman, explains the costs of getting a divorce in Ontario, how to keep them down, who pays them and even how one separating spouse can get the other spouse to pay them. This is information everyone contemplating separation should know before making their first decisions.

If you found this episode helpful or interesting, check out the following episodes :

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Jul 20, 2020 at 12:21 PM

46 - 2 Update on Parenting During the Pandemic - What Family Court Judges Say

46-2 Update on Parenting During the Pandemic - What Family Court Judges Say

This video updates episode 46 of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, released at the beginning of the pandemic to give guidance to separated parents on what Family Law says about how the pandemic will affect parenting plans and Family Court Orders. The content of that original episode remains competely accurate. This new episode goes into what specific judges have said and what Family Court Judges expect separated parents to do in specific parenting situations during the pandemic.

The sweatshirt from this video is from the #ivegotyourback911 campaign, which raises awareness and financial support for mental health programs for first responders. Check it out at www.ivegotyourback911.com

If you found this episode helpful or interesting, check out the following episodes:

The Ontario Family Law Podcast is a companion to the book, Guide to the Basics of Ontario Family Law, which is available as a $9.99 Kindle eBook, Kobo eBook, or iBook for your iPad or iPhone and as a paperback from Amazon and better bookstores. Anyone who has to deal with issues related to child custody, child access or parenting after separation should rely on both of them for give easy-to-understand information and advice about how the law applies to their case and what are the best ways to address their concerns. The book also covers all the other related family law issues, such as child support, spousal support, property division and restraining orders. To get your copy of the book, click on the picture of the book above and to the left.

Paperback available from:

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Jun 24, 2020 at 2:48 PM

50 - Is COVID19 A Good Time to Separate or Divorce?

The pandemic has been extremely stressful for everyone. The fears of getting sick, combined with being isolated from friends and loved ones, the disruption of routines, the loss of favorite activities and perhaps the financial insecurity has made coping difficult for people who do not have underlying mental health problems. Add to that, many people are spending more time with their spouses than they ever have before, and they are learning lots about partners, and perhaps lots that they do not like. Life can become intolerable for people living together, particularly where they cannot get along or sympathize with what each other are feelings. For many others who already have strained relationship, the pandemic has pushed them past the breaking point. Many people are asking, “Is COVID19 a good time to separate?”

In this episode of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, Certified Specialist in Family Law, John Schuman, provides some important information for making that decision.

While this episode answers specific questions about separating during COVID19, many of the considerations are applicable at other times too. Concerns about custody of the children, child support, spousal support and how property division will work out will continue even after the pandemic is over. The Family Law Principals will be the same. Only the circumstances will be different.

If you found this episode helpful or interesting, check out the following episodes:

Paperback available from:

The Ontario Family Law Podcast is a companion to the book, Guide to the Basics of Ontario Family Law, which is available as a $9.99 Kindle eBook, Kobo eBook, or iBook for your iPad or iPhone and as a paperback from Amazon and better bookstores. Anyone who has to deal with issues related to child custody, child access or parenting after separation should rely on both of them for give easy-to-understand information and advice about how the law applies to their case and what are the best ways to address their concerns. The book also covers all the other related family law issues, such as child support, spousal support, property division and restraining orders. To get your copy of the book, click on the picture of the book above and to the left.

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Jun 3, 2020 at 7:36 PM

49 - Can Parents Get Private School Tuition Back Due to COVID-19?

Ontario students have been out of school for since March. Parents of children in the public school system have been struggling with helping their children through lessons at home with what many of them feel is inadequate support, especially for children with special learning needs. Parent with children in private school have been facing that, and additional concerns regarding paying tuition. Even though they are closed to students due to the pandemic, and many parents are struggling financially, some Ontario Private Schools are asking parents to pay for the 2020/2021 school year now. Others are continuing to charge for school this year or are refusing any form of refund even though students are not going to school. For parents who paid for boarding, that can be a lot of money and it seems particularly unfair since their children are not currently living at the school. Unlike public school parents, private school parents feel stung even more if the distance learning for their children is not meeting their expectations in light of what they paid.

In this episode of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, host, education lawyer John Schuman, explains how Ontario Education Law may give parents some avenues to seek money back from Ontario Private Schools who are charging tuition while school is out due to the pandemic.

If you found this episode helpful or interesting, check out the following episodes:

Thousands of people tune into the Ontario Family Law Podcast to get valuable pointers on all aspects of children’s law, education law, children’s rights, family law, divorce and separation issues. Please feel free to share this podcast with your social network using the sharing buttons below. The host of the Ontario Family Law Podcast, John Schuman, is a Certified Specialist in Family Law, practicing in Toronto. If you would like to contact him, either call 416-446-5847, email us, or fill out form below and click “send.”

You can comment on this podcast using the comments section below. Share your experiences with child custody matters to supplement what people learn from this important podcast.

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Jun 1, 2020 at 5:37 PM

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John’s Latest TV Appearance: Child Support During the Pandemic

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55- Can you get divorced in Canada?

47 - How COVID19 affects Child Support and Spousal Support

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