Family Matters Broadcast Schedule

GAMBLING ADDICTION - May 4, 2013 CHCH (1:30pm)/CHEK (6:30pm) & May 6 (pm)

With the advent of casinos in most major centers, and the relatively recent phenomenon of online gambling, a quietly insidious poison is edging its way into the psyches of an increasing number of families:  problem gambling.  Family courts are seeing more and more cases where a spouse's gambling addiction has led to the financial and emotional ruin of the family unit.  Why do some people develop addictive personalities?  How do gambling addictions develop, and what can be done to prevent and treat them

Featuring:

Dr. Richard Wood - Psychologist 
Dr Richard Wood is a psychologist who, for the last 18 years,  has been studying the causes of problem gambling and how it can be prevented. Dr Wood also developed, and now manages,  GamTalk a free online support service for people with gambling related issues, to get information and discuss their problems anonymously with others who are going through the same experiences.

Chris Parlow - Pathological Gambler In Remission 
Chris Parlow is a pathological gambling addict whose illness is in remission. Chris now speaks on the illness of gambling addiction and the possibilities for treatment and recovery. The former president of the United Steelworkers Union in Manitoba, Chris struggled with his compulsive gambling and depression for over twenty years in secret. As his compulsion intensified, he began to have trouble paying his bills, eventually declaring bankruptcy, losing all of his possessions and severing all his relationship ties. This culminated when he bet and lost the last eighteen dollars he had and attempted to commit suicide. After this failed suicide attempt, Chris began his recovery at the Parkwood Treatment Centre run by the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba.Chris has been published in and interviewed by newspapers such as the New Westminster Leader, the Winnipeg Free Press and the Thompson Citizen about his struggle with gambling addiction, and continues to speak to media on the need to reduce the stigma, consequences and risks associated with the illness. 

Victoria Starr - Family Law Lawyer
Victoria, founder of Starr Family Law, is an experienced and skilled negotiator, litigator, trial and appeal lawyer who has practiced exclusively in the area of family and child protection law since being called to the Bar of Ontario in 1996.    In addition, she represents children in custody and access as well as child protection matters as a member of the Children's Lawyer Panel.   Victoria also offers her services as an accredited mediator, certified arbitrator and certified collaborative family law lawyer to those looking to resolve their disputes through an alternative to court process.

INTERNET DATING  May 11, 2013 CHCH (1:30pm)/CHEK (6:30pm) & May 13 (9pm)

Experts tell us that almost 80% of couples meet each other online.  And why not?  It's incredibly easy to connect with people, near and far, without ever leaving your home.  And it can be fun, and exciting, and of course, romantic.  But you need to be cautious, because not everyone you encounter online is the person they claim to be.  What are the best practices and pitfalls you should be aware of?  Justice Brownstone and his expert guests will fill you in on what you need to know about the fascinating topic of internet dating.

Featuring:

Grant Langston - eHarmonyVP Customer Experience 

Grant manages eHarmony's main customer message points - lifecycle marketing, social media, content, customer care and trust and safety. He was on the original team that launched the company in August of 2000. Since then, he has played a critical role building new products, writing extensively on dating and relationships, and speaking to the public about eHarmony's mission and method. 

Andrew Feldstein - Family Law Lawyer
Andrew Feldstein graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1992. Prior to focusing exclusively on family law, Andrew’s legal practice covered many different areas, including corporate commercial. One of Andrew’s fundamental objectives is to achieve those goals mutually and collaboratively set out by him and his client. In 2010, Andrew was honoured with an inaugural appointment to the Dispute Resolution Officer (DRO) Panel for Newmarket. This appointment was made by the Senior Family Justice for Ontario (The Honourable Madam Justice Mary J. Hatton) and the Regional Senior Judge for the Central East Judicial Region of Ontario (The Honourable Mr. Justice Michael Brown). Lawyers appointed to this panel function to support the family law court process by aiding couples in attempts to resolve their issues before their case proceeds before a judge. Andrew was selected for this appointment because of his vast experience with and successful ability to resolve complex family law issues using alternatives to the traditional court methods, including the collaborative family law process. Andrew actively supports current law students, education and the legal profession by volunteering as a mentor for the Osgoode Hall Law School Mentor Program. He also acts as the Chair of the Articling Committee at Feldstein Family Law Group. Andrew is also a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, the York Region Law Association, the Newmarket working committee to improve court processes, and the Markham Board of Trade. In addition, Andrew is a regular writer for the Huffington Post and has been interviewed by numerous media outlets for his expertise in many family law matters. 

SAME-SEX PARENTING May 18, 2013 CHCH (1:30pm)/CHEK (6:30pm) & May 20 (9pm)

With the advent of same-sex marriage in numerous jurisdictions, an increasing number of lesbian and gay couples are parenting children.  What is the status of the reproductive technologies available?  What are the legal consequences of having biological children versus adoption?  Do same-sex parents and their children face special challenges that don't exist for other families?

Featuring:

Dr. Anthony Hutchinson - Sociology Professor 
Dr. Anthony Hutchinson, GA, BSc, BSW, MSW, RSW, PhD is a Clinical Epidemiologist and a Registered Social Worker in the Province of Ontario. Dr. Hutchinson specializes in supporting persons affected by acquired brain injury (mild and substantive Traumatic Brain Injuries), concussion and post-concussion syndrome. Prior to becoming a social worker, Dr. Hutchinson had a seven-year career in personal and corporate banking. Combining his accounting, finance and social work background has made Dr. Hutchinson proficient in the specialized area of financial social work. Dr. Hutchinson holds a Bachelor of Science Degree (with Distinction) in Psychology from the University of Toronto and an Honours Bachelor of Social Work (magna cum laude) from York University. Dr. Hutchinson earned his Master's Degree in Social Work in Social Policy Analysis from the School of Social Work at McMaster University and his PhD in Epidemiology through the Faculty of Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier University. Dr. Hutchinson's doctoral dissertation addressed the social determinants of health and implications for human services in the Province of Ontario (1980-2000). 

Kelly Jordan - Family Law Lawyer
A partner at Jordan Battista, Kelly leads the firm's family law department, which assists families access the spectrum of issues they face, including marriage, cohabitation, adoption, conception through fertility treatment, separation and divorce. Kelly was called to the Bar in 1995 and she has since practiced in Toronto in the areas of family law, wills and estate planning, and assisted reproductive technologies. Her practice in this area runs from drafting Separation Agreements to litigating for custody, support or property rights. She also does a significant amount of work with clients who use assisted reproductive technologies, including surrogacy agreements, ovum/sperm donor agreements and obtaining declarations of parentage.

BULLYING AND HAZING May 25, 2013 CHCH (1:30pm)/CHEK (6:30pm) & May 27(9pm)

Hardly a week goes by that we aren't hearing tragic news of the consequences of yet another bullying incident.  For thousands of young people, the prospect of going to school every day and facing their peers makes them terror-stricken.  Thanks to the internet and social networking websites, it has even become possible to victimize others online.  Why has bullying become such a serious problem?  Who is to blame for it? What role do parents, schools, the community and the media have to play? How should bullies be dealt with?  And most importantly, what can be done to instil in our children, the extremely important values of mutual respect, dignity and compassion?  

Featuring:

Hank Nuwer - Author of Wrongs of Passage - Franklin College Professor
Hank Nuwer is best known for his four young adult and adult books on the topic of hazing in society—including High School Hazing. Hank Nuwer is a writer and social critic whose specialty is the topic of hazing as an international human rights abuse issue and USA high school and campus safety issue. His first investigative story on hazing appeared in 1978 for Human Behavior Magazine, including his groundbreaking interview on hazing as a form of "Groupthink" conducted with Groupthink theorist Irving Janis of Yale University. He teaches journalism at Franklin College in Indiana but speaks on hazing at schools such as Oregon, Kenyon College, Maine, Toronto, Cornell, Chico State, Dartmouth, Michigan and Stetson. He also speaks on the art of nonfiction storytelling at writer conferences such as the Ball State Midwest Writers Conference. Nuwer's philanthropy work is for HazingPrevention.org and the Buffalo State Hank Nuwer Hazing Collection for scholars, students and journalists. He is a columnist for Stophazing.org. He publishes a daily hazing blog at hanknuwer.com/blog. He is a longtime advisory board member of Security on Campus. Nuwer also has written To the Young Writer, a book for young adults on the business of writing as seen through the eyes of such well-known authors as Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, author of Shiloh; Angelo Pizzo, the screenwriter of Hoosiers, and multicultural author Toyomi Gibson. His book To the Young Writeris a New York Public Library 2002 award winner for Best Books for Young Adult readers. Nuwer's current book, The Hazing Reader, is comprised of fifteen essays on the culture of hazing by experts such as Michael Gordon, Walter Kimborough, Stephen Sweet, and Lionel Tiger. The book examines hazing behavior in fraternal organizations, high school, the military, and sports and finishes with suggestions on how to transform a hazing culture. The Hank Nuwer Anti-Hazing Hero Award is named after Nuwer and is awarded annually to persons involved in anti-hazing work.

Omar Ha-Redeye - Lawyer
Omar Ha-Redeye is a lawyer with Fleet Street Law in Toronto, whose practice largely centers around Internet issues. He is Adjunct Faculty at Ryerson University and a Partial-Load Faculty member at Centennial College. He is regularly invited to speak about online civility and the Rules of Professional Conduct, emphasizing the need for a tempered and reasonable approach to advocacy online. He has also worked on files involving cyber bullying and disputes between students and with their school board. In 2011 he was named one of the top 12 social media influencers practicing law in Canada. He was presented the Diamond Jubilee Medal by the Governor General for his contributions to society and professional achievements.

CHILD ABDUCTION June 1, 2013 CHCH (1:30pm)/CHEK (6:30pm) & June 2 (9pm)

It is a little-known fact that in most child abduction cases, the abductor is actually the child's parent.  Some parents are so angry and spiteful, and so determined to deprive the other parent of their children, that they will defy court orders, abduct their children and disappear.  What can be done to protect your child from being abducted?  What help is available for parents who find themselves in this horrendous situation?  In this riveting episode of Family Matters, Justice Brownstone and his guests will provide parents with the crucially important answers to these questions, and much more.

Featuring: 

Dr. Richard Warshak - Author of Divorce Poison - Psychologist  
A graduate of Cornell University, Dr. Warshak is a clinical, research, and consulting psychologist, Clinical Professor of psychology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and a member of the Editorial Board of three professional journals. Dr. Richard Warshak's groundbreaking research, trenchant challenges to gender stereotypes, and passionate advocacy for children have made him one the world's most respected authorities on divorce, child custody, and the psychology of alienated children. As a White House consultant, and through his writing, speeches, legislative and courtroom testimony, videos, and workshops, Dr. Warshak has had a profound impact on the law and well-being of families where parents live apart from each other. Since 1977 Dr. Warshak has examined assumptions and practices in family law in the light of logic and scientific data. His studies on father and mother custody, remarriage, relocation, parenting plans for young children, the approximation rule, children's preferences in custody disputes, and parental alienation appear in 13 books, more than 65 articles, and more than 100 presentations, and are cited often in the professional literature and in case law and legislatures throughout the world. His most recent work is a law review article analyzing judicial discretion, the best-interest standard, and alternative custody presumptions. Dr. Warshak has delivered keynote speeches throughout the U.S., in four Canadian provinces, in Germany, and in Israel. Dr. Warshak was a White House consultant on child custody and one of 60 top experts invited to participate in an American Bar Association family law reform initiative. His amicus brief on relocation, endorsed by the leading authorities on divorce, was accepted by the Supreme Court of the State of California.

Crystal Dunahee - President of Child Find
Crystal Dunahee has lived through personal tragedy and become a community leader and advocate for services to families whose children go missing.Mrs. Dunahee's son, Michael, disappeared in 1991 when he was four years old.  This triggered one of Canada's largest-ever police investigations, generated thousands of tips from around the world and remains one of the highest profile missing children cases. From this adversity, Mrs. Dunahee emerged as an advocate for missing children's issues, becoming president of Child Find BC and Child Find Canada. Rather than becoming hopeless, she has continued to offer total support to the police officers and community members who rallied to her side. Simply put, she is working to ensure such a tragedy never happens again.

Andrew Feldstein - Family Law Lawyer
Andrew Feldstein graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1992. Prior to focusing exclusively on family law, Andrew's legal practice covered many different areas, including corporate commercial. One of Andrew's fundamental objectives is to achieve those goals mutually and collaboratively set out by him and his client. In 2010, Andrew was honoured with an inaugural appointment to the Dispute Resolution Officer (DRO) Panel for Newmarket. This appointment was made by the Senior Family Justice for Ontario (The Honourable Madam Justice Mary J. Hatton) and the Regional Senior Judge for the Central East Judicial Region of Ontario (The Honourable Mr. Justice Michael Brown). Lawyers appointed to this panel function to support the family law court process by aiding couples in attempts to resolve their issues before their case proceeds before a judge. Andrew was selected for this appointment because of his vast experience with and successful ability to resolve complex family law issues using alternatives to the traditional court methods, including the collaborative family law process.

FAMILY FINANCES June 8, 2013 CHCH (1:30pm)/CHEK (6:30pm) & June 10 (9pm)

Whether we like it or not, financial planning is an essential component of family life.  If you have children, it is important to plan for the cost of their post-secondary education.  And the unpredictability of life makes it necessary to consider how your dependants would get by if you became disabled or if you were to pass away prematurely. And  what if your marriage falls apart?  Would you be able to keep your home?  Would your retirement plans be jeopardized?  Do you know how to maximize the benefits of a divorce settlement?  

Featuring:

Dr. Anthony Hutchinson, PhD - Social Worker
Dr. Anthony Hutchinson, GA, BSc, BSW, MSW, RSW, PhD is a Clinical Epidemiologist and a Registered Social Worker in the Province of Ontario. Dr. Hutchinson specializes in supporting persons affected by acquired brain injury (mild and substantive Traumatic Brain Injuries), concussion and post-concussion syndrome. Prior to becoming a social worker, Dr. Hutchinson had a seven-year career in personal and corporate banking. Combining his accounting, finance and social work background has made Dr. Hutchinson proficient in the specialized area of financial social work. Dr. Hutchinson holds a Bachelor of Science Degree (with Distinction) in Psychology from the University of Toronto and an Honours Bachelor of Social Work (magna cum laude) from York University. Dr. Hutchinson earned his Master's Degree in Social Work in Social Policy Analysis from the School of Social Work at McMaster University and his PhD in Epidemiology through the Faculty of Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier University. Dr. Hutchinson's doctoral dissertation addressed the social determinants of health and implications for human services in the Province of Ontario (1980-2000). 

Jim Doyle, CFP - Senior Financial Consultant
Jim Doyle is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Life Underwriter and Registered Trust and Estate Practitioner acting as a senior financial consultant with the Investors Group. He is a graduate of the UBC Sauder School of Business Family Enterprise Advisor Program and has been providing financial advice since 1989.

Gerson D'souza, CIM - Investment Advisor TD Wealth
Gerson D'Souza is an investment advisor at TD Waterhouse Private Investment Advice, offering a full range of wealth management services to complement his clients' needs. Heading a wealth management team consisting of investment, banking, insurance and financial planning specialists, Gerson uses a goal-based approach to ensure that every financial consideration is carefully reviewed for each client. Gerson obtained his Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto and carries a Chartered Investment Manager designation.Outside of the office, Gerson has a long-standing relationship with a Toronto-based charity which offers after-school programs to at-risk youth.

PARENTING TEENS June 15, 2013 CHCH (1:30pm)/CHEK (6:30pm) & June 17 (9pm)

There's nothing that can truly prepare you for the role of being a parent.  And when your children reach adolescence, and then become teenagers, the job of a parent can become enormously challenging.  How should parents strike a healthy balance between setting reasonable boundaries for teenagers, while at the same time enabling them to develop the skills they need to become independent, responsible and productive adults?  What community resources are available to parents, and what support should they expect schools to provide?  In this episode Justice Brownstone's expert guests will share their wisdom and experience about an aspect of parenting that receives far too little attention in the media.

Featuring: 

Jean Bigelow -  School Principal and Parent Consultant
Jean Bigelow is a mother of three grown children and grandmother to 4 year-old twin girls. She is an elementary school principal and has been in the field of education for 40 years, working with students from ages 4 to 18 and their parents. She is authorized as a Neufeld Course Facilitator, offering Dr. Neufeld's Power to Parent series to Victoria area residents. She also consults with parents regarding their children. She has completed a two-year diploma program with the Neufeld Institute in providing consultation to parents.

Hank Nuwer - Author of Wrongs of Passage - Franklin College Professor
Hank Nuwer is best known for his four young adult and adult books on the topic of hazing in society—including High School Hazing. Hank Nuwer is a writer and social critic whose specialty is the topic of hazing as an international human rights abuse issue and USA high school and campus safety issue. His first investigative story on hazing appeared in 1978 for Human Behavior Magazine, including his groundbreaking interview on hazing as a form of "Groupthink" conducted with Groupthink theorist Irving Janis of Yale University. He teaches journalism at Franklin College in Indiana but speaks on hazing at schools such as Oregon, Kenyon College, Maine, Toronto, Cornell, Chico State, Dartmouth, Michigan and Stetson. He also speaks on the art of nonfiction storytelling at writer conferences such as the Ball State Midwest Writers Conference. Nuwer's philanthropy work is for HazingPrevention.org and the Buffalo State Hank Nuwer Hazing Collection for scholars, students and journalists. He is a columnist for Stophazing.org. He publishes a daily hazing blog at hanknuwer.com/blog. He is a longtime advisory board member of Security on Campus. Nuwer also has written To the Young Writer, a book for young adults on the business of writing as seen through the eyes of such well-known authors as Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, author of Shiloh; Angelo Pizzo, the screenwriter of Hoosiers, and multicultural author Toyomi Gibson. His book To the Young Writeris a New York Public Library 2002 award winner for Best Books for Young Adult readers. Nuwer's current book, The Hazing Reader, is comprised of fifteen essays on the culture of hazing by experts such as Michael Gordon, Walter Kimborough, Stephen Sweet, and Lionel Tiger. The book examines hazing behavior in fraternal organizations, high school, the military, and sports and finishes with suggestions on how to transform a hazing culture. The Hank Nuwer Anti-Hazing Hero Award is named after Nuwer and is awarded annually to persons involved in anti-hazing work.

Pina Ferraro - Teacher 
Pina Ferraro is a Special Education Teacher with over 15 years experience working with children from 3 to 14 years of age.  Throughout her career, she has taught a range of grades and subjects across the curriculum.  Mrs. Ferraro now works with children who are deemed exceptional, including children with ADD/ADHD, various Learning Disabilities, and Autism.  She has a firm belief that parents are true partners in their children's education and must always do what is best for the child, especially during parental conflict. Mrs. Ferraro holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Labour Management Relations from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Education from York University.  In addition, Mrs. Ferraro has qualifications in Religion and  a Specialist in Special Education. Mrs. Ferraro has been married to her high school sweetheart for 22 years.  They have 2 teenage children.  Family and work are the most important parts of her life.  She enjoys traveling with her family, reading, and cooking.

HIGH CONFLICT DIVORCE June 22, 2013 CHCH (1:30pm)/CHEK (6:30pm) & June 24 (9pm)

Although almost 50% of marriages end in divorce, experts tell us that only 5% of separated couples ever end up litigating against each other in a courtroom.  For some divorced couples, the acrimony and hostility are so bitter that their court cases only come to an end when their children reach adulthood.  In the family law world, these are called "high conflict cases", and they are unquestionably the most toxic and bitter disputes in the entire justice system.  What is it about some separated parents that they just can't stop fighting?  How does the court system deal with these cases?  Is there a better way to help high conflict parents make peace instead of war?  Join Justice Brownstone and his expert guests as they tackle one of the most difficult and frustrating aspects of family law: high conflict parents.

Dr. Richard Warshak - Author of Divorce Poison - Psychologist
A graduate of Cornell University, Dr. Warshak is a clinical, research, and consulting psychologist, Clinical Professor of psychology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and a member of the Editorial Board of three professional journals. Dr. Richard Warshak's groundbreaking research, trenchant challenges to gender stereotypes, and passionate advocacy for children have made him one the world's most respected authorities on divorce, child custody, and the psychology of alienated children. As a White House consultant, and through his writing, speeches, legislative and courtroom testimony, videos, and workshops, Dr. Warshak has had a profound impact on the law and well-being of families where parents live apart from each other. Since 1977 Dr. Warshak has examined assumptions and practices in family law in the light of logic and scientific data. His studies on father and mother custody, remarriage, relocation, parenting plans for young children, the approximation rule, children's preferences in custody disputes, and parental alienation appear in 13 books, more than 65 articles, and more than 100 presentations, and are cited often in the professional literature and in case law and legislatures throughout the world. His most recent work is a law review article analyzing judicial discretion, the best-interest standard, and alternative custody presumptions. Dr. Warshak has delivered keynote speeches throughout the U.S., in four Canadian provinces, in Germany, and in Israel.

Howard Hurwitz - Social Worker
Howard Hurwitz is an experienced clinician who specializes in working with high conflict families. His private practice is focussed on helping parents and children reduce conflict and move on with their lives. He is skilled at identifying sources of conflict and helping parents develop pathways to a less conflictual post separation/divorce relationship. Howard has an MSW and over 31 years experience in various child welfare, children's mental health and family service agencies. He is also on the social work panel for the Office of the Children's Lawyer. He is the creator and chairperson of the High Conflict Forum which is a community based network of judges, lawyers, mental health professionals and child welfare staff from more than 30 agencies, serving high conflict families experiencing a separation/divorce. Howard is frequently called upon to provide consultation to other professionals around working with high conflict families.

DIVORCE AT SCHOOL June 29, 2013 CHCH (1:30pm)/CHEK (6:30pm) & July 1 (9pm)

Family breakdown has enormous consequences for the well-being of children, especially if they are being exposed to parental conflict.   Children who are caught in the middle of warring parents can have great difficulty concentrating and learning at school.  What can be done to maximize children's school performance and insulate them from the stress of being raised by parents in conflict? How can we prevent children from developing learning difficulties as a result of being emotionally harmed by witnessing their parents behaving badly?  Join Justice Brownstone and hear what school teachers and child development experts have to say about this all-important and child-focussed issue.

Featuring: 

 Dr. Richard Warshak - Author of Divorce Poison - Psychologist
A graduate of Cornell University, Dr. Warshak is a clinical, research, and consulting psychologist, Clinical Professor of psychology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and a member of the Editorial Board of three professional journals. Dr. Richard Warshak's groundbreaking research, trenchant challenges to gender stereotypes, and passionate advocacy for children have made him one the world's most respected authorities on divorce, child custody, and the psychology of alienated children. As a White House consultant, and through his writing, speeches, legislative and courtroom testimony, videos, and workshops, Dr. Warshak has had a profound impact on the law and well-being of families where parents live apart from each other. Since 1977 Dr. Warshak has examined assumptions and practices in family law in the light of logic and scientific data. His studies on father and mother custody, remarriage, relocation, parenting plans for young children, the approximation rule, children's preferences in custody disputes, and parental alienation appear in 13 books, more than 65 articles, and more than 100 presentations, and are cited often in the professional literature and in case law and legislatures throughout the world. His most recent work is a law review article analyzing judicial discretion, the best-interest standard, and alternative custody presumptions. Dr. Warshak has delivered keynote speeches throughout the U.S., in four Canadian provinces, in Germany, and in Israel.

Jean Bigelow - School Principal and Parent Consultant
Jean Bigelow is a mother of three grown children and grandmother to 4 year-old twin girls. She is an elementary school principal and has been in the field of education for 40 years, working with students from ages 4 to 18 and their parents. She is authorized as a Neufeld Course Facilitator, offering Dr. Neufeld's Power to Parent series to Victoria area residents. She also consults with parents regarding their children. She has completed a two-year diploma program with the Neufeld Institute in providing consultation to parents.

Pina Ferraro - Teacher
Pina Ferraro is a Special Education Teacher with over 15 years experience working with children from 3 to 14 years of age.  Throughout her career, she has taught a range of grades and subjects across the curriculum.  Mrs. Ferraro now works with children who are deemed exceptional, including children with ADD/ADHD, various Learning Disabilities, and Autism.  She has a firm belief that parents are true partners in their children's education and must always do what is best for the child, especially during parental conflict.

WILLS, ESTATES AND FAMILY DISPUTES August 3, 2013 CHCH (1:30pm)/CHEK (6:30pm) & August 5 (9pm)

We've all heard the expression, "where there's a will, there's a way". But ask any lawyer to describe the most bitter, high-conflict case of his/her career and chances are, you will hear about family members in a vicious dispute over a deceased relative's estate. Sometimes entire estates are depleted by endless litigation between rivalling factions of the deceased's family, often comprised of spouses and children from the deceased's different relationships. In this not-to-be-missed episode of Family Matters, Justice Brownstone will elicit helpful advice from his guests about sound and effective estate planning.

Featuring:
Lisa Eames - Wills and Estates Lawyer
Lisa Eames is a lawyer primarily practicing in family law and a fully accredited family law mediator. Called to the British Columbia Bar in 2007, Lisa practiced for several years as a solicitor at McConnan Bion O'Connor & Peterson where she obtained significant experience in the areas of wills/estates, real estate law and small business law. This experience allows Lisa to advise family law clients holistically, drawing upon her skills and knowledge in other crucial matters that many families confront upon the breakdown of a marriage or marriage-like relationship. In addition to family law, Lisa has significant experience in loan security enforcement matters. She is a current member of the BC CBA Family Law, Wills, and Trusts and Civil Litigation Subsections.

Jim Doyle, CFP - Senior Financial Consultant Jim Doyle is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Life Underwriter and Registered Trust and Estate Practitioner acting as a senior financial consultant with the Investors Group. He is a graduate of the UBC Sauder School of Business Family Enterprise Advisor Program and has been providing financial advice since 1989. Jim's articles or comments have appeared in The Financial Times, the National Post, Business in Vancouver, the Sun and Province, and Vancouver Lifestyle Magazine. Jim has been interviewed on CityTV about collaborative divorce, and has conducted seminars for the Legal Education Society as well as numerous public seminars on financial planning. Jim is a member of numerous related associations, including the Financial Planning Standards Council, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, the International Association of Collaborative Practitioners, the Canadian Association of Family Enterprise, the Institute of Divorce Financial Analysts, and the Institute of Family Enterprise Advisors. He is one of the few advisors in the Certified Advisory Registry from the Canadian Association of Family Enterprise - a registry which recognizes professionals with extensive experience working with business families as professional advisors.

Gerson D'souza, CIM - Investment Advisor TD Wealth Gerson D'Souza is an investment advisor at TD Waterhouse Private Investment Advice, offering a full range of wealth management services to complement his clients' needs. Heading a wealth management team consisting of investment, banking, insurance and financial planning specialists, Gerson uses a goal-based approach to ensure that every financial consideration is carefully reviewed for each client. Gerson obtained his Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto and carries a Chartered Investment Manager designation. Outside of the office, Gerson has a long-standing relationship with a Toronto-based charity which offers after-school programs to at-risk youth.