Nussbaum Family Law

05/27/2026

A restraining order in Ontario is one of the most immediate legal tools available to protect a person and their children from someone who is harming or threatening them.

Under Ontario's Family Law Act, a court can order a person to stay away from the family home, a workplace, and a children's school, and to stop all contact, directly or indirectly.

Physical assault is not a requirement to qualify. Threats, harassment, stalking, and coercive control are all recognized grounds under Ontario law.

Knowing the options is the first step. Read the full guide:

Need a restraining order in Ontario? Learn how to get one, the difference from an EPO, what happens if it's violated, and how a lawyer helps.

05/10/2026

We are pleased to announce that Barry Nussbaum, JD, MBA, founder and Senior Lawyer at Nussbaum Law, is now one of fewer than 30 lawyers in Ontario certified as a Family Law Specialist by the Law Society of Ontario, effective May 1, 2026.

Barry has over 17 years of experience focused almost exclusively on family and divorce law, is called to the bar in both Ontario and New York, and has handled some of the most complex matters in the field, including international child abduction cases, high-conflict parenting disputes, and support and property issues.

If you or someone you know needs a family law specialist, reach out to Barry today.

https://nussbaumlaw.ca/our-team/barry-nussbaum/

04/27/2026

In Ontario, you are legally separated the moment you and your spouse begin living "separate and apart" with no intent to reconcile. There is no court filing or government paperwork required to start the process. This can even occur while living under the same roof if you have stopped functioning as a domestic unit.

While the status is automatic, your legal protections are not. Your separation date is used to calculate property equalization, support obligations, and the one-year waiting period for a divorce. A written separation agreement is the best way to protect your rights and handle practical issues like debt and parenting. Learn more about your rights:
https://nussbaumlaw.ca/legal-separation-ontario-what-it-means/

Legal separation Ontario: don't make costly mistakes. Learn what the law actually requires, how your rights change & why a separation agreement is essential.

04/13/2026

Serving divorce papers is already complex, but when your spouse lives in another country, the process becomes even more challenging.

From understanding international legal requirements to navigating the Hague Service Convention, there are critical steps you need to get right to avoid delays or complications.

This guide breaks down what you need to know and how to move forward with confidence.

Read more: https://nussbaumlaw.ca/serving-divorce-papers-internationally/

03/29/2026

When did your separation actually happen?

It might sound like a simple question, but in Ontario family law, the date of separation can have a major impact on your financial outcome.

It’s the date used to calculate property division, and even a small difference can change how assets and debts are valued. In some cases, that timing can mean a significant shift in what each spouse owes or receives.

The guide walks through how separation dates are determined, what happens when spouses disagree, and why getting it right matters more than many people realize.

Read more:
https://nussbaumlaw.ca/date-of-separation-importance-explained/

03/18/2026

Two people.
One dog.
No easy answer.

When couples separate, deciding who keeps the pet can quickly become one of the most emotional issues.

In Ontario, pets are treated as property, not family members. That often leads to outcomes people don’t expect.

This guide explains how courts approach these situations and what factors can influence the result.

Read the full article:
https://nussbaumlaw.ca/pet-custody-in-divorce-explained/

03/10/2026

If one spouse owns a business, divorce can quickly raise a difficult question.

Is the company going to be divided?

In Ontario, the business itself is usually not split between spouses. Instead, the value of the business becomes part of the property equalization calculation under the Family Law Act.

Determining that value can be complex. A proper valuation may look at the company’s financial statements, assets and liabilities, income, and goodwill or future earning potential.

Because a business is often one of the most significant assets in a marriage, a professional valuation is often required to determine the company’s fair market value at the date of separation.

Understanding how this process works can make a significant difference in the overall financial outcome of a divorce.

Full guide:
https://nussbaumlaw.ca/business-valuation-in-divorce-ontario-guide/

Business valuation in divorce Ontario: learn asset-based, income-based, and market valuation methods. Protect your company from forced sale.

02/12/2026

When people separate, they usually start by talking about the house.

But the pension may actually be the largest asset involved.

Ontario law treats pensions differently from other property. They must be valued as of the separation date, and those details matter. In one example discussed in the guide, establishing the correct separation date made a $65,000 difference.

The article also covers common pension division mistakes and what to watch for.

Before signing anything, it helps to understand how this piece of the puzzle really works.

Read more here:

Pension division in Ontario divorce: learn CPP splitting deadlines, workplace pension valuation methods, and how to avoid costly settlement mistakes.

02/04/2026

The matrimonial home is treated differently under Ontario law because it is central to family life. Even if one spouse is the legal owner, both spouses often have equal rights to live in and share the value of that home after separation.

Understanding your rights can help you protect what matters most and make informed decisions during a difficult time.

Learn how matrimonial home rights work in Ontario, what counts as a matrimonial home, and how property equalization applies:

Both spouses have equal matrimonial home rights during separation. Learn about exclusive possession orders and how to protect your rights.

01/18/2026

Parental alienation can quietly destroy a child’s relationship with a parent, and the effects can last for years.

When one parent influences a child to reject the other parent, courts in Ontario may treat it as a serious issue, especially when it harms the child’s emotional wellbeing or interferes with parenting time.

If you’re seeing signs like sudden hostility, repeated “adult language” coming from your child, or a child refusing contact without clear reason, it’s important to act early and document what’s happening.

Read more about parental alienation in Ontario and how courts are responding:

Learn how parental alienation affects families in Ontario, what signs to watch for, and the legal remedies and evidence courts consider under family law.

01/04/2026

Court is not the only way to resolve a family law dispute.

Arbitration allows both parties to choose a neutral decision maker, set the process, and resolve issues privately, without sitting through crowded court lists or long delays. It is still legally binding, but often feels more manageable and less intimidating than traditional litigation.

If you are looking for a fair, structured alternative to court, learn how arbitration works in Ontario and how our team supports clients through the process:

Family law arbitration offers faster, private dispute resolution outside court. Ontario lawyer explains how arbitration works, costs, and when it's the right choice.