Clever red fox looking directly at the viewer, symbolizing smart and strategic thinking during divorce.
Clever red fox looking directly at the viewer, symbolizing smart and strategic thinking during divorce.
CLEVER 101
Outsmart Conflict

Work Together - Do It Right - Follow a Plan

Ontario's Financially-Smart Divorce Solution

Our 10 Steps Make The Common Sense Divorce a
SMART SOLUTION

For most folks, the legal process feels confusing, overwhelming—and expensive. What comes first? What do you need? And how do you avoid a courtroom battle?

At The Common Sense Divorce, things are done a LOT differently.

Our approach is designed for Ontario families who want clarity, stability, and support—not conflict. We’ve developed a guided 10-step process that replaces the traditional lawyer-led model with something smarter: a team of specialists working together to help you plan, negotiate, and finalize your divorce with confidence.

And, believe it or not, our entire process is conducted virtually. From start to finish. This allows our team to help any family, no matter where they are in Ontario, Canada.

Whether you’re just starting to research separation, or you’ve decided to just get this party started, this roadmap shows you how we’ll help—every step of the way.

Want a head start?

Get a customized Divorce Triage Report tailored specifically to you…

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Take this guided journey through unfamiliar terrain...
mapped with care, led with experience...

1

No-Fee Consultation

Even the most formidable journey starts with a single step. This expedition starts with a bite-sized conversation. We’ll take a quick measure of your story, assess how we can assist your family, and provide guidance on what to expect next. You can call individually or with your spouse.

2

The Discovery Session

You wouldn’t wander into the woods without knowing where you’re going, and divorce is no different.

3

Financial Disclosure & Analysis

Before you build, you must gather everything you need.

4

The Parenting Plan

When the path ahead involves your children, every step matters.

5

Financial Strategy Session

From above, the landscape becomes clear.

6

Negotiation Sessions

When it’s time to find common ground, everyone takes their place around the circle.

7

Drafting Session

Every expedition leaves a trail behind—a record of where you’ve been and how far you’ve come. In this session, we put your journey into writing.

Now that key decisions have been made, your mediator will carefully document the terms you’ve agreed upon in a memo of understanding. That document is passed to an independent family lawyer, who formalizes it into a legal Separation Agreement.

This written Agreement becomes the official record of your path—thoughtfully constructed, legally sound, and ready for the final steps ahead.

8

Independent Legal Review

As your journey nears its end, precision and clarity become crucial. This step ensures that the legal foundation of your Agreement is just as strong as the emotional resilience and financial structure you’ve worked hard to establish.

An independent family lawyer will carefully review your draft Separation Agreement—ensuring it’s legally sound, enforceable, and reflective of your true intentions. They’ll guide you through the fine print, protecting your rights and ensuring nothing has been overlooked.

It’s the quiet watchfulness of this review that brings confidence. You’ll leave this step knowing that your Agreement can support whatever the future holds.

9

Signing Session

At last, the water is still.

This final step marks a quiet but meaningful departure. With everything agreed upon, we’ll coordinate with you and your spouse to sign your formal Separation Agreement—a document that carries the weight of your journey and the clarity of your intentions.

You’re each heading into the next stretch of life’s current—no longer bound, but still shaped by the voyage you shared.

Once signed, your Agreement becomes a legal compass: a tool to apply for mortgages, file with the court, or simply move forward with peace of mind.

10

Uncontested Divorce Decree

Now that you’ve seen the path, meet the guides who will walk it with you.
Owl looking to the right
Owl looking to the right
How To Divorce In Ontario | The Common Sense 10 Step Process 1

Introducing Our Team

Divorce is rarely simple. But with the right plan, the right support, and the right people beside you, it can be navigated with clarity, dignity, and confidence.

Now that you’ve seen the 10 steps that make The Common Sense Divorce a smart solution, meet the team who helps guide families through this process every day—with professionalism, care, and winning mix of combined insight.

We’re not just professionals—we’re your guides, your sounding board, and your partners through each step of the journey.

Separation Agreement. Tv's Gail Vaz-Oxlade from Til Dept Do us Part.
Gail Vax-Oxlade
Co-Founder
Darren Gingras
Darren Gingras
Executive Director
How To Divorce In Ontario | The Common Sense 10 Step Process 2
Mary-Anne Popescu
Family Mediator
How To Divorce In Ontario | The Common Sense 10 Step Process 3
Dina Simone
Financial Services
Sarah Balram | The Common Sense Divorce
Sarah Balram
Financial Services
a woman wearing glasses and a white jacket
Kathy Andrews
Financial Services
a woman with long hair
Liza Fouad
Client Care Team
How To Divorce In Ontario | The Common Sense 10 Step Process 4
Jessica Grace
Client Care Team
How To Divorce In Ontario | The Common Sense 10 Step Process 5
Janice Hoover
Client Care Team
How To Divorce In Ontario | The Common Sense 10 Step Process 6
Ken Murphy
Operations
a man with a beard
Brendan Horton
Dispute Resolution Technologies
Josh Morrison
Josh Morrison
Legal
Joel Capitao | Real Estate Team | The Common Sense Divorce
Joel Capitao
Home Services
Jason Emata | Real Estate Team | The Common Sense Divorce
Jason Emata
Home Services
Moises Rophie | Real Estate Team | The Common Sense Divorce
Moises Rophie
Home Services
a man smiling at the camera
Jesse Abrams
Home Services
a man in a suit smiling
Geoff Rabideau
Real Estate Law
How To Divorce In Ontario | The Common Sense 10 Step Process 7
Steve Altwerger
Estate Lawyer
How To Divorce In Ontario | The Common Sense 10 Step Process 8
Neeraj Goel
Family Lawyer
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Ryan Osbourne
Family Lawyer
a woman smiling at camera
Sydney Bunting
Family Lawyer
a woman wearing glasses and smiling
Madison Howell
Family Lawyer
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Sean Valentine
Family Lawyer
a man smiling at the camera
Daniel Goldgut
Estate Lawyer

BTW Gail says, "Hang in there, sweetie...
you don't have to navigate this blindly."

My team at The Common Sense Divorce has guided thousands of Canadian families through the wild.

DIVORCE WITHOUT A PLAN IS A RECIPE FOR REGRET
A clear, step-by-step process keeps you focused, organized, and protected — legally, financially, emotionally. With the right people guiding you, you avoid court, cut the drama, and make smarter decisions for your future.

Gail Vaz-Oxlade
Gail Vaz-Oxlade
Co-Founder | The Common Sense Divorce

Money Expert, Best Selling Financial Author. For more than 25 years you've seen Gail’s trademark straight-up money wisdom both on Radio and Television, most notably as host of TVs Till Debt Do Us Part, Princess and Money Moron.

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