Absolute Dispute Resolution

We trust AI to find us the best taco spot in Toronto or summarize a long work email, but when it comes to splitting up your life, a chatbot might just be the most expensive 'friend' you’ve ever had.

From 'hallucinating' fake court cases to missing the human nuance of a Tuesday night parenting schedule, the 'Robot Divorce' trend of 2026 is hitting a major wall in Ontario courts. Before you let an algorithm decide your future, let’s talk about why your separation needs a pulse, not just a processor.

https://absolutedisputeresolution.com/blog/f/why-ai-cant-replace-a-human-mediator-in-2026

Meet the Untangle Lifepath App - your new digital companion for navigating the "what now?"

Whether you’re juggling co-parenting schedules, trying to keep legal documents in one secure spot, or just need a clear 30-day plan to find your "new normal," this app is built to reduce the noise and help you focus on the future.

Key features include:

✅ A personalized 30-day roadmap

✅ Secure document vault for all your records

✅ Co-parenting coordination tools

✅ Centralized space for kids, finances, and schedules

Check it out here: www.untanglelifepath.com

If you know anyone who could use a bit more organization and a lot less stress during a tough time, please feel free to share!

Don't let co-parenting tension overshadow your child's big moment. We’ve put together a "Peace Treaty" guide for graduation season—from seating arrangements to the "both parents" photo strategy.

Read more here:

It was the practical choice at the time, but it leaves one big, uncomfortable question: what happens if your ex dies before the balance is paid?

It’s a scenario no one wants to think about, but understanding the legal implications is essential to making sure you aren't left in a financial lurch.

https://absolutedisputeresolution.com/blog/f/monthly-equalization-what-happens-if-your-ex-dies

#Equalization #MonthlyPayments #MonthlyEqualizationPayments #WhatHappensIfYourExDies #NoWill #Intestate #AbsoluteDisputeResolution #Separation #Divorce #Mediation 

Think twice before you post, or before you ignore what they post.

That 2 a.m. "venting" session on Facebook might be doing more than just blowing off steam. In the world of divorce and separation, social media is a goldmine for evidence. From lifestyle photos that don't align with financial disclosures to negative rants that affect parenting assessments, your digital footprint (and theirs) matters.

In Ontario, courts are increasingly using social media posts to determine:

- Parenting conduct and the best interests of the child (as seen in cases like: Yenovkian v. Gulian, 2019 ONSC 7279 https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onsc/doc/2019/2019onsc7279/2019onsc7279.html?autocompleteStr=yenov&autocompletePos=1

- Financial honesty regarding support obligations.

- General credibility during legal disputes.

We help you navigate these digital minefields. Whether it's non-disparagement clauses to keep things quiet or understanding how online behaviour impacts your case, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s move the conflict off the feed and toward a resolution. Learn more at www.absolutedisputeresolution.com.

Wait... you saw it on TikTok so it must be true, right? 🤨

"TikTok Law" is the fastest way to get a very expensive reality check from a judge.

What sounds like a "hack" in a 60-second clip is often a recipe for legal and financial disaster.

Let's bust the most common myths causing chaos:

• The "Abandonment" Trap: Many believe moving out means losing your house rights. While staying can be strategic, leaving to de-escalate isn’t "abandoning" your equity. However, leaving without a parenting plan can create a "status quo" that is very hard to change later.

• The Hidden Asset Myth: Thinking you can "gift" money to a friend or hide it in crypto to avoid sharing. Forensic audits are standard. If a judge catches you hiding assets, expect to pay the other party's legal fees and lose all your credibility.

• The Lock-Out Logic: Changing locks without a court order or agreement often backfires, making you look high-conflict and landing you with a heavy "costs award" against you.

www.absolutedisputeresolution.com

Moving in together? Getting married? In Ontario, the rules can be a bit of a trap if you aren't prepared. But you don't have to spend thousands on two separate lawyers just to get a fair agreement.

See why mediation is the faster, cheaper, and way more chill way to protect your future while keeping your relationship intact.

https://absolutedisputeresolution.com/blog/f/why-a-mediator-is-your-best-bet-for-your-prenup

Unilateral decisions, like switching a child’s school, starting a new medical treatment, or enrolling them in a major activity without your co-parent’s consent, can backfire quickly.

In the eyes of the court, breaking a joint decision-making agreement isn't just a communication breakdown; it's a breach of a legal order or agreement.

The consequences?

- Costly court appearances to "undo" the decision.

- A loss of trust that fuels years of conflict.

- A potential shift in decision-making authority if a judge deems you unable to co-parent effectively.

If you’re struggling to reach a consensus, don’t act alone.

It’s far more cost-effective to work with a parent coordinator or mediator than it is to pay a litigator to fix a unilateral mistake.

www.absolutedisputeresolution.com

#divorce #mediation #separation #JointDecisionMaking #custody #parentingplan #parentcoordinator #SeparationAgreement

It’s one of the most common questions I hear. Is it therapy? Is it a lawyer? Is it help with court?

Think of a divorce coach as your strategic, future-focused partner.

While therapy often focuses on healing the past, coaching is about navigating the present and planning for your future.

Here is how a coach helps:

Organizing your documents so you are prepared for legal meetings.

Helping you think through Parenting Plans and Separation Agreements.

Providing communication strategies to lower conflict with your ex-partner.

Preparing you for the emotional weight of mediation or court sessions.

Keeping you focused on your long-term goals.

It is NOT therapy and NOT legal advice.

It is practical support designed to save you time, money, and emotional energy during one of life's biggest transitions.

www.absolutedisputeresolution.com

#DivorceCoach #Mediation #FamilyLaw #ParentingPlan #SeparationAgreement #Divorce #Separation #INeedACoach #Coaching #HelpMeWithMyDivorce #AbsoluteDisputeResolution

In Ontario’s family law landscape, the "temporary" schedule is often the final word.

The Status Quo principle has evolved from a guideline into a nearly insurmountable barrier. If a child spends six months in a specific routine, the court’s priority shifts almost exclusively to maintaining that stability, regardless of what you intended for the long term.

We are seeing a clear trend: courts are increasingly skeptical of "we'll fix it at trial" arguments.

Interim evidence is now treating the baseline as outcome-defining.

Agreeing to a lopsided schedule "just for now" creates an accidental precedent. Once that pattern is set, the burden of proof to change it becomes significantly higher and more expensive.

Mediation offers the only strategic safeguard. A professional interim agreement with robust "without prejudice" clauses ensures that your cooperation today doesn't waive your rights tomorrow.

www.absolutedisputeresolution.com

The concept of a 'healthy divorce' can feel like an oxymoron.

We are often conditioned to believe divorce is a battle, but as an accredited Mediator and Parent Coordinator at Absolute Dispute Resolution, I see families choose a different path.

A healthy divorce is not the absence of pain; it is the presence of respect, clarity, and a commitment to the future.

1. Resolution over Victory: Mediation keeps you in control, creating a sustainable foundation rather than letting a court decide your family’s future.

2. Child-Centricity: Voice of the Child reports ensure children’s needs remain the North Star while the family changes shape.

3. Financial Transparency: Honesty regarding assets reduces fear, ensuring both individuals can move forward with financial dignity.

4. Emotional Maturity: It involves the difficult work of separating past grievances from future goals to communicate effectively as co-parents.

5. Preserving the Future: Choosing a non-adversarial process now is an investment in your ability to be a cohesive parenting team for the rest of your lives.

That "private" Instagram account might not be as private as you think when it comes to your separation.

In Ontario, social media is increasingly being used as a key source of evidence in divorce and separation cases.

Here’s why your "quick post" might end up in a legal file:

Income & Credibility: That LinkedIn post celebrating a big bonus, a promotion, or a side hustle "launch" can be used to challenge your reported income and financial disclosure. If you're claiming financial hardship but posting about your new business success, it creates a major credibility gap.

Lifestyle Signals: Photos of a luxury vacation, a new car, or frequent dining out are often used to argue against claims of financial hardship or to prove a certain standard of living. In the eyes of the court, a picture is worth a thousand receipts.

Parenting & Peace: Posts that show late nights out or even just venting about an ex can be scrutinized in custody and access disputes. Courts look for stability and "co-parenting readiness." Negativity online can unfortunately be used to question your willingness to support the other parent's relationship with the kids.

The takeaway? If you wouldn’t want a judge to see it, it’s probably best not to post it right now.

Take a social media "sabbatical" or at least a very long pause before hitting share.

Your future self (and your legal case) will thank you.

www.absolutedisputeresolution.com

If you’re waiting for a "finish line" where the pain just disappears, we’ve got a bit of a reality check for you: healing is about integration, not a destination.

We’re breaking down the stages of the post-divorce journey and how to build true resilience along the way.

https://absolutedisputeresolution.com/blog/f/why-emotional-recovery-after-divorce-isnt-a-straight-line

#divorce #divorcecoaching #mediation #parentcoordination #litigation #separation #traumaafterdivorce #trauma #PTSD

In British Columbia, the Family Law Act was updated in 2024 to recognize pets as "companion animals." This means their welfare and the emotional bond they share with their family must be considered during a separation.

But here in Ontario, the law still classifies pets as "personal property" or chattels.

If a dispute goes to court, a judge generally treats a family pet the same way they would a couch or a car: focusing on who paid for it rather than who cares for it.

Because Ontario courts usually won't order "visitation" or "shared custody" for property, litigation can be a heartbreaking dead end for pet lovers.

This is where mediation makes all the difference.

We can move beyond "property" labels and create a custom "Pet Parenting Plan" that ensures your pet's well-being and maintains your connection with them.

Let’s create a plan that reflects the real role your pet plays in your family. Visit www.absolutedisputeresolution.com to learn more.

#pets #dogs #cats

Co-parenting isn’t just an emotional rollercoaster; sometimes it’s a literal cross-province commute.

If you’ve ever stared at a gas pump or a Porter Airlines receipt and wondered if you’re the only one footing the bill, this one's for you.

We’re breaking down the truth about travel expenses, 'Undue Hardship,' and why the CRA doesn't care about your mileage (but the courts do).

https://absolutedisputeresolution.com/blog/f/gas-flights-and-fairness-claiming-travel-expenses-for-parents

When I work with families or individuals going through a dispute, I’m not just checking boxes or following a manual. I’m bringing the perspective of someone who has actually lived through the weight of hard choices and the growth that follows. That experience is exactly what I bring to my work at Absolute Dispute Resolution.

As an accredited mediator, my goal is to help you navigate your own path with a bit more clarity.

I draw on those life lessons to make sure you feel heard and supported. Life teaches us a lot, but the best lessons are the ones we’ve truly paid for.

If you need someone who understands the human side of the legal process, reach out.

www.absolutedisputeresolution.com

"I shouldn’t have to pay child support if I don’t see my kids!"

I hear this often, and I truly get the frustration. When you’re being denied time with your children, it feels incredibly unfair to keep sending a payment.

But here is the legal reality: child support and visitation are two separate issues.

Withholding support because you aren't getting your scheduled time is a common but dangerous mistake. One does not depend on the other.

Support is the legal right of the child to be supported by both parents, regardless of the conflict between adults. Courts consistently hold that access and support are independent obligations.

If you’re struggling with a breakdown in communication or a parent who isn't following the schedule, let’s talk about mediation or parent coordination instead of stopping payments.

As an accredited mediator and parent coordinator, I help families navigate these exact hurdles. I also prepare Voice of the Child reports to ensure the kids' perspectives are heard without them being caught in the middle.

Let’s find a path forward that works for your kids.