Roxanne Shank

Roxanne C. Shank has considerable experience assisting couples in achieving family law settlements via court proceedings as well as by way of negotiated agreements.

Roxanne understands that every family is unique and is strongly committed to advocating for her clients to achieve individualized solutions that meet the needs of the parties in family law disputes as well as those of children who are affected by the consequences of a separation.

Roxanne is a strong proponent of the collaborative process in instances where both parties are committed to negotiating towards an agreement that is in both parties’ best interests. Many individuals prefer a collaborative family law solution as resorting to litigation can often be exhaustive of the time, money and energy of all persons involved.

Roxanne has a wealth of litigation experience and practiced family law at a full service boutique firm before she founded Shank Law Professional Corporation.

Roxanne is a member of the Simcoe County Lawyers’ Association. She is also a councilor with the Georgian Bay Métis Council.

Roxanne studied law and earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Toronto. She also has a Bachelor of Arts degree and Master of Arts degree in philosophy from Brock University in St. Catharine’s Ontario.

She has also completed Levels I and II of the Collaborative Law Training Program.

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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