Separation & Divorce Checklists
We aim to get our clients on the path to success for a peaceful and efficient separation from the very beginning.
We have created a range of free printable checklists for mediation, parenting, and the financial details of separation & divorce to help you get organized for your separation.
No email required for downloads!
Is divorce mediation appropriate for my situation?
We’ve created a checklist to help you determine whether our service may be appropriate for your situation. Of course, every family is unique and this checklist is just a starting point.
Is mediation appropriate for our separation?
Family mediation is likely a good strategy if:
- We have children and we're committed to a healthy separation process.
- We do not have children but we have property and/or spousal support issues to sort out and we both want to get this separation resolved so we can move on with our lives.
- We are both comfortable speaking up for what we feel is fair in the presence of a mediator and we're both willing to participate in the process in good faith.
Family mediation can address a range of situations:
- We seem to be in agreement about all issues and we need a legally-binding Separation Agreement prepared.
- We are disagreeing about a few issues and need help resolving them.
- We can't talk about anything without arguing however we do not want to waste time and money going to court, and we want an outcome that is fair for both of us.
The following are red flags and mediation is likely inappropriate:
- There are severe power imbalances in our relationship and I'm not comfortable speaking up for what I feel is fair.
- At least one of us has an active drug and/or alcohol dependence, or emotional, mental health and/or personality disorder issues that would likely impede effective participation.
- At least one of us is unwilling to cooperate with financial disclosure.
- At least one of us is unwilling to make any compromises.
Separation & Divorce Financial Disclosure Checklist
Our Financial Disclosure Checklist is intended to help you start getting organized for the negotiation and preparation of your legal Separation Agreement. Full financial disclosure is required for separations as per the Family Law Act in British Columbia in order for a Separation Agreement to be considered comprehensive and legally binding.
You aren’t required to have these documents gathered before your Initial Consultation.
Financial Disclosure Checklist
- last 3 years of T1 General personal income tax returns (complete copy)
- T4s for the previous tax year, if your T1 General personal income tax return has not yet been completed
- last 3 years of Notices of Assessment from Canada Revenue Agency
- last 3 years of corporate Financial Statements, if you are self-employed through a corporation
- if you are employed, most recent pay statement, and final pay statement of the previous calendar year if your income tax return has not been completed yet
- if you own property, a certified property appraisal (or at the very least a realtor's comparative market analysis), if one of you would like to keep the property. Note: the property tax assessment is not a reliable indicator of fair market value
- if you own a business, a business valuation, and if incorporated then disclosure of all assets and debts held by the corporation
- statement or screenshot for all bank accounts, investment accounts, mortgages, lines of credit, personal loans, credit cards, vehicle loans, etc., as at the date of separation AND present
- screenshot of any rewards accounts, such as Air Miles or credit card points
- year/make/model and approximate value of vehicles, and whose name the vehicle is currently registered in
- documentation regarding any pensions, including actuarial valuations if you plan not to divide your pensions
- documentation regarding any life insurance policies
- documentation regarding investment accounts, businesses, properties or other significant assets at date of cohabitation, if you would like to exclude any portion of these assets from division of family property
- documentation regarding inheritances and significant gifts received from 3rd parties, if you would like to exclude any portion of these assets from division of family property
- any other documents that are relevant to your situation
Parenting Plan Checklist
Our Parenting Plan Checklist is a starting point for thinking through parenting arrangements for your children.
Some of the issues may not be relevant for your family and there may be some issues that are important for your family that are not listed here.
A Parenting Plan is completely customizable for the needs of your children and your family.
Parenting Plan Checklist
These are topics you may wish to consider, depending on what feels appropriate for your family.
- the usual schedule for caring for your children
- schedule for special days, such as birthdays, religious & school holidays
- provisions for vacations and travel with children
- alternative child care arrangements
- guidelines for communication with the children
- guidelines for communication with the other parent
- participation in the children's activities
- transportation for the children to/from school and activities
- communication with the children's school
- parameters around moving the children's home
- introduction of new significant others to the children
- health insurance for the children
- passports and other identification for the children
- decision-making and communication regarding important decisions for the children
- contact with extended family members
- safety requirements and provisions
- photographs and social media
- how to address parenting plan reviews in the future
- how to address parenting plan disagreements in the future
- how to tell the children about the separation
- supports to put in place to help the children thrive through the separation
- other details that are important for your family
