• Blog
  • Publications
  • Testimonials
West Coast ADR Law Group Balanced Solutions
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Publications
  • Safe Exit
CALL TODAY
604-531-9494
  • Home
  • Services
    Divorce And Separation Mediation LawyersChild Custody And Support MediationProperty And Asset Division MediationFamily Law Mediation Vs. Family Law LitigationFamily Law Mediation Vs. Collaborative Family LawFamily Law Arbitration Vs. LitigationThe Family Law Mediation ProcessIs Family Law Mediation Right For Me?Family Law Med-Arb: Mediation And Arbitration CombinedFamily Law Act: Out-Of-Court Alternatives
  • About
    About UsBalanced SolutionsCharitable EffortsResources
  • Our Team
  • FAQs
    FAQ – Med ArbFAQ – ArbitrationFAQ – Mediation
  • Contact

Collaborative Law Does Not Gurantee On-Time Support Payments

March 8, 2017 by West Coast ADR

Whatever a divorced couple’s feelings may be for each other, if they have children, they are still obligated to maintain the welfare of the kids. For the non-custodial parent, this may be limited to simple financial support, but once ordered by a British Columbia court, it is still an obligation. Even parents who arrived at a settlement arrangement using collaborative law may find problems arising in the future.

Canadian television personality Mary-Jo Eustace and her ex-husband, actor Dean McDermott, divorced in 2006. The two have a son together who is now 18 years old. According to Eustace, McDermott has repeatedly defaulted on his child support payments, prompting her to sue him for the amount he owes.

In her affidavit, Eustace states her ex has missed every monthly payment since and including July 1, 2016. She is seeking $6,000, interest, and legal fees. She further states McDermott had previously withheld payments for two years, after which the two negotiated a new settlement, on which he also defaulted. The document asserts that he owes $100,800 between Feb. 1, 2017, and July 1, 2020.

Should a paying parent find he or she is unduly burdened by the obligation to pay child support because of a change in finances, that parent can apply to have the amount modified. It is not acceptable, or legal, to simply stop making payments. Whether awarded through litigation, or arrived at through the process of collaborative law, the requirement to pay support is legally binding. Any parent who is having trouble with a delinquent co-parent in British Columbia may choose to discuss matters with a lawyer.

Source: etcanada.com, “Dean McDermott’s Ex-Wife Alleges He Owes Thousands In Unpaid Child Support“, Brent Furdyk, Feb. 21, 2017

Previous Post Next Post

Recent Posts

  • Consider Including Grandparents In Divorce Mediation
  • Mediation Puts The Future In Divorcing Couples’ Own Hands
  • Choosing Mediation After Filing For Divorce
  • Mediation May Be Best Way To Divide Treasured Items & Pets
  • Pre-Planning For Holidays During Mediation Could Save The Day

Archives

  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015

Categories

  • Arbitration
  • Collaborative Law
  • Mediation
All Services
Family Law Act: Out-Of-Court Alternatives
Family Law Med-Arb: Mediation And Arbitration Combined
Is Family Law Mediation Right For Me?
The Family Law Mediation Process
Family Law Arbitration Vs. Litigation
Family Law Mediation Vs. Collaborative Family Law
Family Law Mediation Vs. Family Law Litigation
Property And Asset Division Mediation
Child Custody And Support Mediation
Divorce And Separation Mediation Lawyers
West Coast ADR Law Group Balanced Solutions

Copyright © 2025 Westcoast ADR Law Group All Rights Reserved

Call Us Today
604-531-9494
Email Us
Connect with Us
Our Location
New Westminster Office
10th Floor - 900 Quayside Drive
New Westminster, BC V3M 6G2
West Coast ADR Law Group Balanced Solutions

Copyright © 2025 Westcoast ADR Law Group All Rights Reserved