Brett Degoldi

Brett consults only with separating couples.

Brett has practiced family law in Australia and Canada for over 10 years. His practice has dealt with all aspects of family law, including complex parenting and financial matters.

Brett trained in law in both Canada and Australia. Brett is a graduate of UBC (Vancouver) with a world-first Master in Laws specializing in collaborative law. Brett is a graduate of Monash University (Melbourne) with a PhD in psychology, and is a trained mediator.

Brett is the president of Family Law Pathways (Canada). Family Law Pathways (www.FamilyLawPathways.com) is an innovative Centre in Ontario providing legal information and early neutral consultations to separating couples.

Neutral couple consultation involves providing legal information and ranges of options and contacts needed to move through separation/divorce and stay out of court. The early neutral consultation empowers families to take control of their separation process from the beginning and save family resources (both emotional and financial). Early Neutral Consultation is a single session, approximately 1.5 hours.

Dr Degoldi is Treasurer of Collaborative Practice Simcoe County, a member of the Joint Action Committee for family law reform, a panel presenter for the Mandatory Information Program and a Dispute Resolution Officer for the Superior Court of Justice Family Court Branch.

Common Myths about Divorce

Myth: Divorce is the end of my world.

Fact: Divorce is only one event in your life. You can choose to give up hope or you can choose to treat it as a new opportunity to improve your life.

Myth: My spouse must be made to pay for breaking our vow.

Fact: Regardless of who decides to end the marriage, no one is blamed monetarily. We have what is called a “no fault” divorce.

Myth: I get half of everything my spouse owns and he/she gets half of everything I own.

Fact: You do not necessarily get half of his tools, or half of her jewellery, etc. The value of all assets and liabilities amassed during the marriage are accounted for by each of you and the person who has more net family property than the other pays half of the difference to the other spouse. The idea is that each person will share equally in the growth or loss from the marriage. There are certain rules applicable to certain assets, for example gifts and inheritances received during marriage are exempted from the calculation.

Myth: If I ask for what is fair, my spouse is going to want me to go lower and so I will ask for a ridiculously high amount for support or property division.

Fact: It is best to negotiate in good faith rather than to take an unreasonable stand which could scuttle negotiations.

Myth: The children will see what an idiot my spouse is when I explain to them what he/she is expecting me to settle for.

Fact: The children ought not be expected or asked to take sides or to be involved in adult issues. They need to know that each parent loves them and that they are free to love their parent without fear of repercussions from the other parent.

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Using the Collaborative process to resolve the issues arising from your marriage is the most respectful, sensible and cost effective way to do so. Speak to a Collaborative professional to find out how the process works.

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Collaborative Practice Simcoe County is group of Collaborative Divorce Professionals in Simcoe County serving the Greater Barrie, Innisfil, Collingwood and Orillia areas.

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