August 23, 2019
Advocate Daily

Determining date of separation can be complex: Williams

“Many people believe that separation occurs when one person leaves the matrimonial home,” she tells AdvocateDaily.com. “But that isn’t always the case.”

Williams says in one of her cases, her client and their partner shared a bed during their entire separation up until the divorce was finalized. “No two people’s lives are the same,” she says.

March 07, 2019
Advocate Daily

Justify departures from spousal support guidelines: OCA

...there are many factors — other than income — that are taken into consideration when deciding on support levels, such as the age of the parties involved and the length of their marriage.

February 04, 2019
Advocate Daily

Cohabitation agreements can protect couples in their golden years

It’s crucial for people to put their minds to these difficult topics so that surprises don’t compound the challenges that come with aging, she says.

Cohabitation agreements enable couples to make the hard decisions while life is good, and they remain in force even if a will is changed or challenged, Williams says.

January 04, 2019
Advocate Daily

Decision underscores that legal proceedings can’t be ignored

"As lawyers, we have a responsibility to guide our clients," she says. "You can't say, 'I'm going to ignore this,' and then near the end, jump in. They need to obey a court order unless we’re getting it changed on consent or by the court.

November 06, 2018
Law Society of Ontario

Advanced Strategies to Resolve Family Law Files - Part 1: Settling the Family Law Matter within the Court Process

Successfully resolving a family law matter is both an art and a science. In addition to the technical legal aspects, to conclude a higher percentage of your matters, you need to understand the various personalities, psychologies, dynamics, and relationships at play among the parties, their lawyers, and often various others. How does one effectively use those aspects in the negotiations and dispute resolution? Our seasoned family law lawyers, mediators, and judges share their advice, strategies, secrets, and hard-won wisdom, all in a fast-moving and engaging format.

October 17, 2018
Advocate Daily

No shark zone: defusing high-conflict family law cases

“When people are driven by their emotions rather than focusing on the needs of the family, their finances often take the hit.” Williams says.

“People use avenues to deal with their woes about separation that are not logical. They will spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees, and then say that their lawyer ripped them off. “Meanwhile, their lawyer is asking for their instructions to resolve the matter,” she says.

August 22, 2018
Advocate Daily

Child’s voice helpful in setting parenting schedules

“The interviewer would probably talk to the child about what things he or she does with each parent, and how they might feel at mom's or dad’s house,” she says.

“Ultimately, the goal is to find out what the child would like to see in terms of a parenting schedule.”

August 3, 2018
Advocate Daily

Resolution the focus for family lawyer Williams

“I tell them we can be friends when it’s all over — and there are past clients I celebrate birthdays with — but until then I’m there to give it to them straight, which, I believe, is what they pay a lawyer to do.”

“They’re not paying me to be their friend, and it’s always better to hear bad news from me now than to be yelled at by a judge later,” she adds.

July 2018
Advocate Daily

Best path forward: a practical approach to high conflict

"The task of coming to an agreement can also be complicated by the way lawyers behave with the parties, as well as with each other, both inside and outside the courtroom,” she writes. “Sometimes, the high conflict is not as a result of the opposing party, but the opposing party’s lawyer, which becomes a detriment to a successful, economical and efficient resolution of the case."