The Role of an Expert in Family Law

Where appropriate, Jill will recommend that her client involve an expert to help with part of the case. This person will take a neutral approach to their work.  This person can be hired by one or both spouses.  If the expert is retained by both spouses, the expert will take a neutral approach to their work in fairness to both parties. 

If you cannot decide on how to share time with the children, a neutral parenting coordinator can help you reach consensus.

A marital breakdown can be very emotional, particularly for the spouse who did not choose the separation. These emotions make it harder to concentrate and make decisions during a collaborative meeting or a mediation session. As a result, the process will move at a slower pace than it otherwise would. A neutral mental health professional can provide emotional support, and will also coach each spouse on how to present their views in a way that the other spouse can take in what they are saying. 

Sometimes a couple has a family business, or a spouse is self-employed. When this happens, a neutral chartered business valuator can provide the “fair value” of the business and comment on income for family law purposes. This satisfies the legal requirement to make full financial disclosure to your spouse in these matters. Such disclosure is the bedrock of a signed separation agreement.