McNeill Family Law

09/03/2026

One of the biggest fears during divorce is also one of the most practical:

“How will I survive financially?”

You may be worried about keeping your home, managing two households, paying down debt, support, retirement savings, legal costs, or simply whether you will be financially okay when this is over.

And when you don’t yet have all the information, it’s easy for fear to fill in the blanks.

Collaborative Divorce can provide a more transparent and structured way to work through financial questions. When appropriate, a neutral financial professional can help gather information, develop budgets, explore settlement options, and understand how different decisions could affect your financial future.

The goal isn’t to pretend the financial concerns aren’t real.

It’s to replace as much uncertainty as possible with information, options, and a clearer understanding of the path ahead.

If financial uncertainty is one of the things making separation feel overwhelming, learning more about your options can be a helpful first step. Visit www.mcneillfamilylaw.ca to learn more about Collaborative Divorce.

08/27/2026

One of the greatest privileges of my career has been sitting beside families as they navigate one of life’s most difficult transitions.

After more than 35 years practising family law and over 24 years working as a Collaborative Professional, one lesson has remained remarkably consistent:

Families rarely regret choosing respect over conflict.

What people often remember years later isn’t who “won” or who had the last word. They remember how the process affected their children, their finances, their relationships, and their ability to move forward.

Over the years, I’ve seen respectful conversations help parents build stronger co-parenting relationships, preserve financial resources that might otherwise have been spent on conflict, and create space for informed decisions that reflect each family’s unique circumstances.

Collaborative Divorce doesn’t remove the difficult decisions that come with separation, but it does provide a process that encourages dignity, respect, and thoughtful problem-solving.

If you’re considering separation and would like to learn more about Collaborative Divorce and your family law options, visit www.mcneillfamilylaw.ca. When you’re ready, McNeill Family Law is here to help you move forward with confidence.

08/22/2026

Interest Based Negotiation is a mandatory skill set for Collaborative Lawyers. This is a great opportunity to take the training with excellent trainers.

Just 3 weeks to go!

There's still time to join us for Interest-Based Negotiation in Collaborative Practice, taking place September 10–13 in Edmonton, Alberta.

Whether you're new to Collaborative Practice or looking to strengthen your skills, this immersive four-day training will provide practical tools to help you navigate challenging conversations, strengthen your negotiation skills, and support better outcomes for your clients.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from experienced instructors, connect with fellow Collaborative professionals, and invest in your professional growth.

Register today and secure your spot: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/interest-based-negotiation-in-collaborative-practice-tickets-1992523809351?aff=oddtdtcreator

08/20/2026

As the first day of school approaches, many families are busy buying school supplies, organizing schedules, and preparing for a new routine.

For co-parents, it’s also a good time to check in with one another.

Simple conversations now can help prevent misunderstandings later. Consider discussing:
- School drop-off and pick-up routines
- Extracurricular activities
- Parent-teacher conferences
- School communication and emails
- How you’ll share important dates and information

The goal isn’t to agree on everything. It’s to create consistency and reduce stress for your children as they begin a new school year.

Over the years, I’ve seen how thoughtful planning and respectful communication can make transitions easier for families. Small efforts before school starts can have a lasting impact throughout the year.

If you’re navigating separation or co-parenting and would like to learn more about creating practical parenting arrangements, visit www.mcneillfamilylaw.ca to explore our family law services and resources. When you’re ready, we’re here to help you move forward with confidence.

08/13/2026

Communication is one of the few things you can control during a separation.

The words you choose, the timing of difficult conversations, and your willingness to focus on solutions instead of blame can all make a meaningful difference.

Healthy communication doesn’t mean you have to agree on everything. It means creating opportunities for respectful conversations that help move your family forward.

One of the reasons I value the Collaborative Divorce process is that it gives families the support and structure they need to communicate more effectively, even when emotions are high.

If you’re considering separation and would like to learn more about resolving family law matters respectfully, visit www.mcneillfamilylaw.ca to learn more about Collaborative Divorce and the services we offer. When you’re ready, we’re here to help you explore your options.

08/06/2026

“What will happen financially?”

It’s a question that deserves careful thought.

Whether you’re thinking about the family home, child or spousal support, retirement, or simply how to create financial stability moving forward, these decisions can feel overwhelming without the right information.

One of the reasons I value the Collaborative Divorce process is that it creates space for thoughtful financial discussions. Rather than making rushed decisions or focusing only on who gets what, we work together to understand each person’s priorities, gather the information needed, and explore practical solutions that support the entire family.

Over the years, I’ve seen how having a structured, respectful process helps people feel more informed and more confident about the decisions they’re making.

If you’re considering separation and would like to learn more about your options, visit www.mcneillfamilylaw.ca to explore our resources or contact McNeill Family Law to arrange a confidential consultation.

07/30/2026

On International Day of Friendship, I have been reflecting on the relationships that continue to matter even when circumstances change.

One of the most common misconceptions about divorce is that a successful outcome requires former spouses to remain friends.

In reality, friendship is not the goal.

For many families, the goal is something different: maintaining a respectful, workable relationship that allows important conversations to happen, supports healthy co-parenting, and reduces unnecessary conflict.

You may not agree on everything. You may not spend time together socially. But when parents are able to communicate respectfully and focus on what matters most, it can have a lasting impact on their children and their future family relationships.

Over the years, I have seen how preserving mutual respect, even during difficult conversations, can help families move forward with greater clarity and less conflict.

If you are considering separation and would like guidance on creating a constructive path forward, contact McNeill Family Law to schedule a consultation.

07/23/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions about family law is that the document is the most important part.

In my experience, the most important part is the thinking that happens before the document is ever drafted.

A separation agreement, parenting plan, or marriage contract is intended to reflect the decisions you have made. The real work is often identifying the questions that need to be asked, the options available to you, and the issues that may arise in the future.

Recently, I have seen more people turn to AI and online templates to prepare legal documents before seeking advice.

While these tools can be helpful for gathering information, they cannot ask follow-up questions. They cannot understand your family dynamics. They cannot help you explore competing priorities or identify concerns that may not become apparent until years later.

The value of legal guidance is often not in drafting the document itself. It is in helping people think through decisions before they are made.

When families take the time to understand their options and identify what matters most to them, they are often in a much better position to create agreements that work not only today, but well into the future.

If you are considering a separation agreement, parenting plan, or marriage contract, contact McNeill Family Law to schedule a consultation and discuss your options before you begin drafting documents on your own.

www.mcneillfamily

07/22/2026

One of the things I have learned after helping families through the Collaborative Divorce process for many years is that the legal issues are rarely the most difficult part of a separation.

More often, families struggle with uncertainty.

They worry about their children, their finances, their future, and how they will make important decisions during a time of significant change.

The families who navigate the process most successfully are not necessarily the ones with the simplest circumstances. They are often the ones who take the time to identify what matters most, focus on their long-term goals, and approach difficult conversations with a willingness to problem-solve.

Collaborative Divorce creates space for those conversations. It allows families to move beyond positions and focus on solutions that support their children, their financial stability, and their future.

Every family is different, but one thing remains consistent: thoughtful decisions made today can have a lasting impact on your future.

If you are considering separation and would like guidance on whether Collaborative Divorce is the right fit for your family, contact McNeill Family Law to schedule a consultation.

www.mcneillfamilylaw.ca

07/09/2026

“Can I keep the house?”

It is one of the most common questions I hear during an initial consultation.

What often surprises people is that the answer depends on much more than the value of the property.

The conversation may include:
- your financial circumstances
- your children’s needs
- other family assets
- future housing plans
- long-term financial stability

The family home is rarely just a piece of property. For many families, it represents familiarity and stability during a significant life transition.

That is why I encourage clients to look beyond the house itself and consider what they want their life to look like one, five, or even ten years from now.

The goal is not simply to decide what happens to the home. The goal is to make thoughtful decisions that support your future.

If you are considering separation and would like guidance on your options, contact McNeill Family Law to schedule a consultation with Beryl.

www.mcneillfamilylaw.ca