Brian Ludmer Blog

This blog serves as a resource to learn more about Brian Ludmer, the legal articles he has authored and his insights on divorce and parental alienation related topics. As the attorney leading Ludmer Law, Brian Ludmer has become an authority in business law and family law. His work (see details below) includes a submission to the House of Commons on equal shared parenting, as well as a submission on Bill C-78. Brian Ludmer is also a recognized legal expert on parental alienation.
Brian Ludmer agrees to appear as a guest speaker at the Clinician’s Seminar

The internationally recognized expert on the law surrounding parental alienation and family reunification has agreed to be a guest speaker at the Clician’s Seminar on May 19, 2023, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The ISNAF will kick off new year with panel discussion by Brian Ludmer and Lynn Steinberg

The International Support Network for Alienated Families (ISNAF) will be making an impact in the new year by starting off with a panel discussion featuring Brian Ludmer and Lynn Steinberg surrounding the topic of “Court Orders Necessary for 90 Day Protective Orders.” You have the chance to hear the opinions of experts in the field with years worth of experience with multiple cases.

Parental Alienation: How you can help the professionals get it right

Understanding Parental Alienation is crucial if you feel you’re being targeted and your child is suffering as a result. In this presentation, Brian Ludmer explains the different diagnoses so you can organize your family history and the development of the PA dynamic, how to assemble your data, documents, and witnesses, typical target parent mistakes you can avoid, and much more.

Attorney Brian Ludmer and Lynn Steinberge, Ph.D.: explore reunification therapy and the impacts of parental alienation
Slam and Gavel have the opportunity to speak to attorney Brian Ludmer and Lynn Steinberg, Ph.D., on their podcast. Brian Ludmer is a Canadian attorney whose practice focuses on high-conflict custody battles, dental of parenting, and Parental Alientation, as well as high-net-worth disputes. Lynn Steinberg has worked with families and provides a four-day reunification therapy.

Men and Families Conference 2022 Plus New PowerPoints

This government-funded conference is bringing together scholars from a range of disciplines as well as service providers, community leaders, private practitioners, and much more. Discussions will cover various topics from fatherhood, family dynamics, and men’s experiences with violence and victimization. We also are happy to announce we have new PowerPoint presentations available covering some of these subjects.
Men and Families Conference 2022 will be featuring co-sponsors Gene C. Coleman and Brian Ludmer.

By signing up to attend the 2022 Men and Families Conference you have the ability to hear co-sponsors Gene. C. Colman speak on the effects of Family Violence and Brian Ludmer explore False Allegations, Alienation, and more. You can attend via Zoom or in person at the Holiday Inn Downtown Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Coleman and Ludmer will be presenting Friday, Sept. 16, from 1:30 to 2:50 p.m. in the Wellesley Room.
First ever government-funded international Men and Families Conference Program comes to the University of Guelph
The University of Guelph will be hosting presenters from 18 countries as the Men and Families Conference Program is unveiled. There will be two keynote speakers, Dr. Denise Hines and Joshua Coleman, as well as 3 panel sessions and 57 presenters. Brian Ludmer is also a significant sponsor of the event and will be featured as a speaker as well.
Exploring the intricacies of parental separation, alienation, and splitting in children
This year, the conference of the European Association of Parental Alienation Practitioners (EAPAP) was hosted by the Child and Youth Protection Centre of Zagreb, featuring presenters from 13 European countries and guest speakers from the Canad and the US. The conference explores practitioners from across Europe responding to post-divorce relationship trauma in children.

Brian Ludmer Speaks on divorce with Andy Martens and Mary Kovacs

Brian Ludmer weighs in about divorce, co-parenting, and parental alienation on the Andy Martens Show. Brian shares his views on equal-shared parenting and high-conflict divorce in this in-depth interview.

Brian Ludmer Co-Sponsors Toronto Conference on Fatherhood for Fall 2022
February 25, 2022
Brian Ludmer is one of several experts from more than 12 countries who will speak on fatherhood and men’s experiences with violence and victimization in an international conference coming to Toronto in September 2022. Brian, who is also a conference sponsor, will speak about coercive control and high-conflict family situations. The event will take place on September 15-16 and examine different perspectives on fatherhood. Learn more at menandfamilies2022.ca.
Brian Ludmer Speaks on Families Divided With Author Patti Howell
February 7, 2022
In the latest episode of Families Divided, attorney Brian Ludmer discusses school issues with families involved in conflict over alienation issues. Also, author and educator Patti Howell shares suggestions for handling school in families where the parents live separately.
Ludmer Law’s Brian Ludmer Shares His Experience on Podcast: Perspectives on Men
January 28, 2022
Brian Ludmer brings his views on Shared Parenting, Family Therapy and Parental Alienation in a conversation with Warren Senkowski for the Perspectives on Men podcast. The interview was recorded during Momentum conference 2021.
Brian Ludmer Speaks on Wendy Perry Podcast
January 26, 2022
Brian Ludmer of Ludmer Law weighs in on issues of parental alienation and co-parenting education on the Wendy Perry Support Group Podcast. On this members-only broadcast, Brian answers questions from members from Wendy’s private support group.
Brian Ludmer Featured on YouTube series Childhood Interrupted
January 5, 2022
In an in-depth interview on YouTube show Childhood Interrupted, Brian Ludmer discusses the personal challenges that contributed to his deep understanding of how to handle divorces, parental alienation cases, and disputes about income and property. Brian gives advice on subjects including:

  • Legal and Practical Strategies to Managing the Parental Alienation Syndrome Therapeutic Intervention for Parental Alienation
  • Practical Strategies for Reconciliation: What Estranged Parents Can Do to Help Their Professionals Help Them
Family Access-Fighting for Children’s Rights Signs Contract with Now Network
November 24 2021
Family Access-Fighting for Children’s Rights signed a one year contract with Now Network Television.
Beginning on January 30, 2022, Family Access will start a weekly broadcast from 1:30-2:00 PM EST every Sunday. This is an extremely exciting new venture that will bring greater awareness about alienation and the many issues surrounding it.
Brian Ludmer On How Using Case Law to Fight Parental Alienation in Court

September 3 2021

Canadian attorney Brian Ludmer explains how parents can fight parental alienation in court using case law jurisprudence to strengthen their position and get the results they need.

LudmerLaw To Provide Remote Services For Non-Essential Meetings

August 31 2021

While LudmerLaw will continue to provide all its normal services, the office will focus on providing its services remotely, especially for non-essential meetings. Clients can still arrange in-person meetings with lawyers and support staff, as necessary, but LudmerLaw asks that clients DO NOT visit the office if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms or have traveled outside Canada within two weeks of their visit.

A Chat with Brian Ludmer
August 11 2021

Brian is an advisory board member to the Parental Alienation Awareness Organization and the International Support Network for Alienated Families, as well as a co-founder of Lawyers for Shared Parenting. Brian was one of the drafters of Canada’s proposed equal shared parenting amendment, Bill C-560. Brian is the legal editor of the PASG bi-monthly newsletter and provides strategic advice to parents and lawyers on cases of PA across North America and even around the world.

Remembering Justice Gomery
13 July, 2021

At the Philadelphia conference held by PASG in 2019, there was an extraordinary plenary session where there were multiple presentations given by leading members of PASG in honour/memory of the first generation of pioneers in this difficult area of professional practice.

Staying Healthy During Relationship Break-Down: 2021 “Healthy Fathers. Healthy Families” Event
30 June, 2021

This webinar, hosted by the Canadian Association for Equality on June 17, 2021, provides strategies for parents and children to stay healthy and positive during high conflict separation or divorce. As part of the “Healthy Fathers. Healthy Families” event, the webinar includes a panel of experts including: Susan S. Chuang, PhD, is Associate Professor of Family Relations & Applied Nutrition at the University of Guelph, Brian Ludmer, a prominent Toronto family law lawyer and founder of LudmerLaw, and Dr. Robert Whitley, the Principal Investigator of the Social Psychiatry Research and Interest Group at the Douglas Hospital Research Center. Learn more at www.equalitycanada.com.

‘The Voice Of the Child’: A Primer on Judicial Interviews
21 May, 2021

Lawyer Brian Ludmer gives an introduction to the pros and cons of judicial interviews of children in family law cases. Ludmer says that judicial interviews of children should only be used as a last resort, but also explains the best way to handle these interviews if they become necessary.

Ludmer Law wins safe return of child to mother
05 May, 2021

In an April 7 decision in Ontario Family Court, Justice T. Price ordered that Julie Natasha Young-Marcellin, represented by Ludmer Law, would receive custody of her child with Marcel Andre Marcellin. The judge also ordered that Marcellin would not have visitation rights for at least 60 days after returning the child.

Victim to Hero: Motion for Compliance in Court – with Attorney Brian Ludme
11 March, 2021

This was a live interview with Attorney Brian Ludmer, an expert in parental alienation. In this interview, Dr. Petra Deeter asked him for his advice on the legal strategy for handling a parental alienation court case and what alienated parents should do to help the professionals in their case.

Parental Alienation – 2021 Virtual International Conference Brochure
21 December, 2020
Join us virtually on May 15th and 16th for a discussion on parental alienation. I’ve been invited as a guest on Sunday, May 16th to speak on the topic: “How to Deal with Non-Parties who Can Influence the Case.”
International Conference on Helping Courts Understand the Phenomenon of Alienation
17 December, 2020
Parental alienation is a form of child abuse. If you are interested in learning more about this topic and ways we can prevent our children from experiencing parental alienation, join the International Conference on Helping Courts Understand the Phenomenon of Alienation this May. I’ll be speaking on the issue.
The Importance of the CFO’s Role in Mergers and Acquisitions
30 November, 2020

The CFO should be an integral part of, and active participant in the mergers and acquisitions process for three main reasons:

1. A CFO will typically bring an independent and objective perspective to the strategic  analysis of the proposed transaction, with greater emphasis on rigorous financial  modelling and testing of assumptions.

2 CFOs will bring a unique skill-set that will enable them to spot issues that might be  missed by operational executives.

3. The CFO’s detailed understanding of the existing business will enable him or her to  comment on the financial and operational integration of an acquisition target or the  financial effect of a disposition.

Technology is Great, But It Will Never Replace a Hug
12 May, 2020

To say that 21st century technology has disrupted the way we conduct business and interact with one another is an understatement. Especially during the current shelter-at-home orders, technology has made our lives easier, placing more of our daily activities to the online web and being able to communicate across long distances.

For Immediate Release: Exclusive screening of the documentary, “Erasing Family!” (FREE Event)
27 February, 2020

CALLING ALL PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS, STEP-PARENTS, PARENTAL FIGURES, FAMILY SERVICE PROVIDERS, EDUCATORS AND ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY…

Order of Justice Shore
27 October, 2019

Key parts of this decision were delivered orally in court to the parties, including their sixteen-year old daughter, who was represented at the motion by counsel. As such, part of these reasons have been written in a way that I hope A.R. will understand.

Divorce Act ‘not meeting needs of children’: Ludmer – AdvocateDaily.com
23 September, 2019

In submissions to the House of Commons and Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Ludmer, principal of LudmerLaw, said the Act “is not working and not meeting the needs of the children it’s meant to protect.” “This debate can basically be summarized as the battle between myths and facts,” he said.

Still more to do on issue of shared parenting: Ludmer
22 August, 2019

“There is slow progress in the actual decided cases in that direction, but it’s spotty, and it’s inconsistent, and it can depend on which province you are in, whether you are in an urban centre or a more rural forum where there’s less diversity amongst judges,” says Ludmer, principal of LudmerLaw.

In a child’s best interest: the battle over equal custody parenting
17 August, 2019

In early 2014, Maurice Vellacott, a Conservative MP for Saskatoon, introduced a bill to amend Canada’s Divorce Act of 1985.

Today’s Show: Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, equal parenting, free speech on campus, and Alberta investor tax credit
17 August, 2019

On today’s show, the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms applies to intervene in the appeal of a BC ruling ordering hormone treatment on a child without parent’s consent.

On Friday, August 2, Brian Ludmer was interviewed at about 12:20 p.m. Toronto time (10:20 Calgary time) by FM

770 CHQR Calgary, a well-known talk radio show. He was interviewed on equal parenting.

17 August, 2019

Thank you Brian Ludmer
12 July, 2019

Last night’s call with Brian Ludmer was one of the best calls we have had in the 7 years of our calls. The information he gave on so many topics was phenomenal. Many have emailed and posted online the helpfulness this call was for them in their situations and their cases. We want to thank Brian for all the work he put into this call and his dedication to the cause.

How to Manage Children’s Counsel, Child Protection Workers, Police, Parenting Coordinators, Therapists and Evaluators
04 July, 2019

On Sunday, July 7, 2019 at 8 PM EDT, Brian Ludmer, B. Com, LLB will be presenting these issues on our international seminar call.

Brian Ludmer Presentation to the Senate of Canada & The House Of Commons
02 July, 2019
Unofficial transcript of senate of Canada Legal And Constitutional Affairs Committee meeting June 6, 2019
June 6, 2019 Presentation to the Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Consideration and safeguards that are noted in the UNCRC, both broadly and specifically, in the articles and in the comments.
PASG 2019, which will occur in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during September 12-14, 2019.
01 July, 2019
Bill C-78, An Act to amend the Divorce Act
07 June, 2019

Brian Ludmer, Advisory Counsel (Canadian Association for Equality)

PASG Newsletter May 2019 – The Case Against Children’s Counsel – Part 2
28 May, 2019

A review of arguments against appointing an attorney for the child.By Brian Ludmer, B.Com., L.L.B., LudmerLaw, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Brian@ludmerlaw.com

PASG 2019 Conference
28 May, 2019

Brian Ludmer, B.Com., L.L.B., LudmerLaw speaking at the PASG 2019 Conference.

Film Screening – Erasing Family
28 May, 2019

Friday May 31st, 2019

Third International Conference of the Parental Alienation Study Group
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA — September 12-14, 2019

PASG2019 will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, which is adjacent to the Philadelphia International Airport.

We have a Facebook page for our upcoming symposium
13 May, 2019

Just wanted to send a heads up to let everyone know we now have a facebook page for our upcoming Parental/Grandparent Alienation and Equal Shared Parenting Symposium we will be having in Frankfort, Kentucky on Oct 4th and Oct 5th. Please share with others too you think may be interested. I thought it would be a great place to chat together, ask questions or keep up through facebook. Getting really excited about our events!!!

The 2019 Canadian National Men’s Issues Conference
University of Toronto | August 2-3

It is my pleasure to invite you to Canada’s biggest ever conference on the issues facing boys, men and fathers.
Early Bird rates end in 24 hours! Don’t miss this unique and affordable opportunity to meet an incredible group of international speakers and guests.

CTV news video
25 April, 2019

Parental alienation is a form of family violence and child abuse that occurs when one parent turns the couple’s child against the other parent, typically caused by separation or divorce.

With so many intense feelings to cope with, one parent may consciously or unconsciously encourage the children to unjustly reject the other parent. It can have negative and long lasting effects on both children and parents.

In the coming months, Canadian psychologist Barbara Fidler and law professor Nick Bala will produce a guidebook for lawyers, judges and doctors on parental alienation.

Bill C78 And Parental Alienation Debate – Canadian Association For Equality
29 March, 2019
Presentation to Justice Committee, House of Commons – Brian Ludmer
11 March, 2019
Kentucky Conference to Explore Issues of Family Alienation and Shared Child Custody
21 February, 2019
Frankfurt, KY (Feb. 20, 2019) – A conference coming to Kentucky in October will bring alienated parents, grandparents and experts in the field together for presentations and discussions on the growing issue of parental and family alienation. The Parental / Grandparent Alienation and Equal Shared Parenting Symposium, hosted by Family Access – Fighting for Children’s Rights, will be held Saturday, Oct. 5th, 2019 at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Frankfort, Kentucky. An opportunity to meet the experts who will be speaking during the event will take place the evening before, Oct. 4th, at a buffet dinner.
PASG Newsletter January 2019: Legal Update – The Case Against Children’s Counsel – Part 1
16 February, 2019
In parental alienation, appointing an attorney for the child is fraught with danger.
By Brian Ludmer, B.Com., L.L.B., LudmerLaw, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Brian@ludmerlaw.com
Equal Parenting Panel + New Centre Grand Opening!
14 February, 2019
Should Canada Adopt an Equal Parenting Presumption? Join us for a timely panel featuring: Federal Deputy Justice Critic Michael Cooper, Lawyers for Shared Parenting Co-Founder Brian Ludmer & Divorced Dad Mike Glover.
MPs urged to enact ‘equal shared parenting’ in Bill C-78 but organized family law bar tells Ottawa to stay the course – The Lawyer’s Daily
12 December, 2018
Dozens of family law practitioners, academics and legal organizations are advising the Commons Justice Committee on how to improve the Liberal government’s proposed divorce overhaul (Bill C-78), but there is sharp disagreement on some points, especially about the wisdom of Ottawa’s choice not to create the “equal shared parenting” presumption sought for decades by advocates for fathers’ rights.
Parental Alienating Behaviors: An Unacknowledged Form of Family Violence
12 December, 2018
Despite affecting millions of families around the world, parental alienation has been largely unacknowledged or denied by legal and health professionals as a form of family violence. This complex form of aggression entails a parental figure engaging in the long-term use of a variety of aggressive behaviors to harm the relationship between their child and another parental figure, and/or to hurt the other parental figure directly because of their relationship with their child.
BILL C-78 COMMITTEE Report OF DECEMBER 7, 2018
12 December, 2018
In terms of what the Committee did with the Maximum Contact Principle, they did not accept the Canadian Bar Association’s proposal to gut it and make it into an irrelevant provision.
Submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights on Bill C-78 by the Canadian Association for Equality and Brian Ludmer, B.Comm, LLB. Myths and Facts Concerning a Rebuttable Presumption of Equal Shared Parenting
30 November, 2018
Introducing a rebuttable presumption of equal shared parenting would reform the current dysfunctional and arbitrary litigation-based system which, despite it stated goals, in fact fails to advance the long-term best interests of the affected children and in fact exposes them to conflict, uncertainty and parental pressure.
PASG Newsletter: Parental Alienation International November 2018
30 November, 2018
Structured Intervention Trumps Therapy in Child Contact Refusal Cases
-By Brian Ludmer, B.Com., L.L.B., LudmerLaw
Announcement:
29 November, 2018
Brian Ludmer will be the chairperson at the 2019 annual conference of the PASG in Toronto.
PASG September 2018 Newsletter
28 November, 2018
The Wishing Tree. Targeted parents who participated in the Stockholm PASG Conference or the London EAPAP Conference honored their alienated children with a leaf named for each child, August 2018. See page 12.
Are You a Victim of Parental Alienation? Want Help? Important Handbook For Parents Released by ISNAF
22 October, 2018
ISNAF RELEASES IMPORTANT Handbook
Submitted by Dr. Ernest Salem, Member at Large ISNAF Board
I feel very privileged to recommend and be part of this must have Handbook for parents involved in high conflict divorce and custody cases dealing with Parental Alienation (PA). Catherine MacWillie, CEO, Custody Calculations, Calendars & Orders.
How can and should Professionals accurately distinguish between alienation and estrangement? – PASG International Conference- Stockholm, Sweden – Friday, August 24, 2018
30 September, 2018
PROPOSED CLINICAL CRITERIA TO DISTINGUISH ALIENATION FROM ESTRANGEMENT
TWO CRITERIA FOR THE CHILD *
• Child Criterion 1 (CC1)
• Child Criterion 2 (CC2)
Brian Ludmer, B.Comm., LLB; proud Ally of Simply Parent – 2018
30 September, 2018
As an Ally, you support Simply Parent’s singular mission to reach the tipping point beyond which parental alienation is recognized and rejected by society. This ambitious work requires good-will and a compelling voice that can no longer be ignored because it is unified and clear across disparate organizations and parallel movements.
Managaing Ertthical issues In A Parental Alienation Case – Brian Ludmer, B.Comm., LLB; Presentation to Simply Parent Conference; June 30, 2018
19 September, 2018
Why are ethical issues so prevalent in PA cases
The Role of Counsel for
Therapists and Therapy – How to Structure
Custody Assessors/Evaluators
Children’s Aid Societies/Child Protection Authorities
Aligned Non-parties – Tribal Warfare
Schools and Activity Providers
Structured Interventions in a Parental Alienation Case- – Brian Ludmer, B.Comm., LLB; Presentation London, U.K. to 1st Annual EAPAP Conference; August 30 – 31, 2018
01 September, 2018
Brian Ludmer reminds the EAPAP 2018 conference that standard therapeutic interventions are contraindicated in Parental Alienation cases.
Equal shared parenting bill defeated, but proponent vows to keep pushing for Divorce Act changes – Law Times
23 August, 2018
Brian Ludmer will be speaking at the EAPAP London Conference on Parental Alienation
23 August, 2018
The European Association of Parental Alienation Practitioners opens its conference booking today. Headline speakers include leading researcher and writer Amy J.L.Baker PhD. Brian Ludmer from Ludmer Law in Canada, Professor Gordana Buljan Flander from the Child Protection Centre in Zagreb, Barristers from 1KBW UK, Linda Gottlieb and Steve Miller from the USA, along with Psychologists and Psychotherapists who are pioneering in this work in Europe.
Divorce Act revamp ignores value of equal shared parenting: Ludmer
23 August, 2018
Proposed changes to Canada’s Divorce Act fall short by failing to make equal shared parenting (ESP) the starting position in custody disputes, Toronto family lawyer Brian Ludmer tells AdvocateDaily.com.
Contempt Law in a Nutshell – Court Procedures for Breaches of Court Orders: Part 2 By Brian Ludmer, B.Com., L.L.B., LudmerLaw, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (PASG LEGAL COLUM May 2018)
23 August, 2018
PARENTS FACING A CONTEMPT PROCEEDING would be well advised to have sufficient third-party evidence of the exercise of their parental authority and why it had, to that point in time, been ineffective.
Legal Update: Contempt Law in a Nutshell – Court Procedures for Breaches of Court Orders: Part 1 By Brian Ludmer, B.Com., L.L.B., LudmerLaw, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (PASG LEGAL COLUM March 2018)
23 August, 2018
A COMMON EXPERIENCE FOR PARENTS, and for professionals assisting them, is that of the alienating parent not complying with Court Orders for parenting time, joint decision-making and other matters. There are practical and therapeutic/intervention responses that should be part of a thorough strategic plan. However, it is also typical and advisable to seek the assistance of the Court.
Legal Update: Introducing a New Legal Column, By Brian Ludmer, B.Com., L.L.B., LudmerLaw, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (PASG LEGAL COLUM January 2018)
23 August, 2018
WELCOME TO LEGAL UPDATE. I am pleased to accept the mandate of Ed-itor of this column, which will appear in each issue of PAI. As discussed at the PASG Conference in Washington, DC, there is a broad-based request from PASG members for sharing information, thoughts, strategies, and advocacy on the legal process and substantive legal issues relating to paren-tal alienation as a part of a multidisciplinary response to the challenges facing families having difficulty restructuring in a healthy manner
Ignoring access orders makes bad situations worse, by Brian Ludmer
23 August, 2018
Responding to difficulties in enforcing access to children continues to be a problem in search of a solution in family court. Despite settled jurispru- dence and ample statutory rem- edies, parents denied their time with their children continue to struggle for practical, cost-effective and timely solutions.
To the Strategic Role of the CFO in M&A Transactions, by Brian Ludmer
24 July, 2018
Here’s a list of the “Top 25” ways to limit exposure on representations and warranties when you are selling a business. It will be rare to win all of these battles in a single deal (in fact they represent a compilation of “best practices” from many deals).
Refuting false allegations of abuse a specialized job
24 July, 2018
It is an unfortunately common occurrence in contested matrimonial cases that one or both parties make serious accusations of physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse against the other. Even worse are cases where such allegations involve the children.
Ignoring access orders makes bad situations worse, by Brian Ludmer
24 July, 2018
Responding to difficulties in enforcing access to children continues to be a problem in search of a solution in family court. Despite settled jurispru dence and ample statutory rem- edies, parents denied their time with their children continue to struggle for practical, cost effective and timely solutions.
Time for Canada to embrace equal shared parenting, by Brian Ludmer
24 July, 2018
From the 1998 Senate special joint committee recommendations to the present, numerous reports and statements concerning the family law system have recognized the need for fundamental reform as it relates to contested custody cases.
Children hurt in divorce process, by Brian Ludmer
24 July, 2018
In litigation where custody or access to children is contested, courts are directed to canvass the views of the affected children, at least to the extent that the views can be ascertained. There are various means by which the voice of the child can be solicited. Each way has its relative advantages and disadvantages, but there are good reasons to proceed cautiously in this regard.
Ethical Issues Arising in A Parental Alienation Case – PASG LEGAL COLUM JULY 2018
24 July, 2018
Targeted parents, and those advising them, need to be cognizant of the high base rate/frequent occurrence of ethical issues relating to various participants in the case in order to ensure a successful outcome.
Contempt Law in a Nutshell – Court Procedures for Breaches of Court Orders
24 July, 2018
A common experience for parents, and for professionals assisting them, is that of the alienating parent not complying with Court Orders for parenting time, joint decision-making and other matters. There are practical and therapeutic/intervention responses that should be part of a thorough strategic plan. However, it is also typical and advisable to seek the assistance of the Court.
Refuting false allegations of abuse a specialized job
24 July, 2018
It is an unfortunately common occurrence in contested matrimonial cases that one or both parties make serious accusations of physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse against the other. Even worse are cases where such allegations involve the children.

While statistics vary and the rigour of some of the studies is questionable, it is at least experientially well understood that false allegations of abuse are pervasive in contested matrimonial cases. In cases of less “tangible” allegations, perhaps the most abused word is the word “abuse” itself.

Speaker’s Corner: Children hurt in divorce process
24 July, 2018
In litigation where custody or access to children is contested, courts are directed to canvass the views of the affected children, at least to the extent that the views can be ascertained. There are various means by which the voice of the child can be solicited. Each way has its relative advantages and disadvantages, but there are good reasons to proceed cautiously in this regard.

The process of asking children their opinions creates the risk of triangulating the child further into an inter-parental dispute, and it can potentially create or contribute to an alliance of one parent and child against the other parent or against other children.

Many studies and publications, including a study of 1,000 families published by the Family Law Section of the American Bar Association, suggest that parental lobbying and manipulation of children in custody disputes is a very common occurrence.

Speaker’s Corner: Time for Canada to embrace equal shared parenting
24 July, 2018
From the 1998 Senate special joint committee recommendations to the present, numerous reports and statements concerning the family law system have recognized the need for fundamental reform as it relates to contested custody cases.

Bill C-560, a private member’s bill proposed by Conservative MP Maurice Vellacott, is a reasonable and balanced proposal to address the current broken system. Parliament will debate bill C-560 on May 7, followed by a second reading vote.

The principal change to the Divorce Act, with the goal of reducing incentives for bitter and expensive litigation over children, is the proposal for a rebuttable presumption that equal shared parenting would support the best interests of the children unless a party can establish that some other parenting plan would substantially enhance those interests.

Brian Ludmer at “University of Toronto’s Men’s Issues Awareness Nov 29 2015” (16 minutes)
06 June, 2018
An expert panel shares information about Parental Alienation followed by a Q and A session. Hosted by the U of T Men’s Issues Awareness Society.
Brian Ludmer of Ludmer Law and the spokesperson for the Canadian Association of Equality spoke on AM 800 CKLW Radio on his views on the Federals revamping the Divorce Actt
24 May, 2018
Liberals’ proposed overhaul of Divorce Act aimed at putting interests of children first
24 May, 2018
Changes include new terminology and strengthened parental relocation guidelines

The Liberal government is overhauling Canada’s federal divorce laws to direct the justice system to put the best interests of children at the centre of decision-making.

Bill C-78, which was tabled Tuesday in the House of Commons, also takes steps to address family violence and child poverty. It’s the first major revamp of divorce law in more than 20 years.

Proposed changes to family-law legislation aims to help families settle disputes outside court
24 May, 2018
Brian Ludmer of Ludmer Law joined The Exchange with Matt Gurney to chat about the proposed changes to family-law legislation.
Brian Ludmer at the first international conference of the PASG
24 May, 2018
On October 23, 2017, Brian Ludmer spoke at the first international conference of the Parental Alienation Study Group (PASG) on “Judicial Interviews and the Reliability of the Voice of the Child”