Financial Fundamentals in Family Law - November 9-10, 2026

This event offers family law lawyers an invaluable classroom experience to help them comprehend the financial dimensions in family law cases
About this Event

Join us for two days of curated sessions* on fundamental business valuation, accounting, and tax aspects concepts applicable to family law.

As Chartered Business Valuators, we are uniquely qualified to walk you through the basics of income calculations, business valuations, executive compensation, personal/ corporate income tax, and more!

This premier event offers family law lawyers an invaluable classroom setting experience in which to comprehend common and complex financial dimensions in family law cases. The FFFL aims to serve as an exceptional introduction for lawyers to familiarize themselves with the financial underpinnings of the field while also providing a comprehensive refresher for seasoned practitioners.

FFFL qualifies as 11 Substantive Hours to help fulfill your Continuing Professional Development Requirement.

*Food and beverages to be provided both days, along with an after-conference cocktail hour on the first day.

Schedule and Course Descriptions (Subject to Change):

Day One (9:00 am - 4:00pm, with cocktail hour after)

Personal Income Tax Returns: A Comprehensive Walkthrough

This session provides a detailed walkthrough of the T1 Personal Income Tax Return, with a particular focus on understanding, interpreting, and reviewing tax information in the context of family law and business valuation.

Participants will gain a practical understanding of how income is reported, how taxable income differs from cash flow, and which schedules, slips, and supporting disclosures are most relevant when assessing an individual's financial circumstances in the context of a Family Law matter.

Income for Support Calculations: Detailed Walkthrough of a Guideline Income Calculation

This session provides a comprehensive walkthrough of the determination of income for support purposes under the Federal Child Support Guidelines (the “Guidelines”) and related Family Law principles. The course will help participants understand how reported income is adjusted in a Guideline income calculation, and why the income on a tax return does not always represent the income available to pay child or spousal support.

Participants will examine the methodology used to calculate Guideline income, including review of personal and corporate financial information, adjustments required under the Guidelines, and the treatment of unusual or non-recurring income sources.

Income for Support – A Case Study

This interactive session provides participants with the opportunity to apply the concepts and methodologies discussed in the preceding Income for Support Calculations session through the analysis of practical examples based on actual cases.

Participants will work through the practical challenges, identify relevant issues, assess competing positions, and discuss alternative approaches that may be advanced by parties, counsel, financial experts, and the Courts.

Executive Compensation (RSUs, Options, Etc.): Valuation Issues in Family Law

This session provides a comprehensive overview of executive compensation and incentive arrangements commonly encountered in Family Law matters. Participants will develop an understanding of the various forms of compensation offered to executives, business owners, and key employees, together with the challenges involved in assessing their economic value.

The session will examine both traditional and emerging compensation structures, with particular emphasis on their treatment in a Family Law context from both an income and property valuation perspective. It will also address the potential for “double dipping” where the same compensation arrangement is considered in determining both income and value.

Chartered Business Valuators: Role of the CBV Expert and Types of Reports

This session provides an overview of the role of the Chartered Business Valuator (CBV) as an independent financial expert in litigation, Family Law, taxation, shareholder disputes, commercial transactions, and advisory engagements.

Participants will gain an understanding of the responsibilities of a CBV, the professional standards governing valuation and related advisory services, and the various types of reports that may be issued depending on the scope and purpose of an engagement.

Day Two (9:00 am to 5:00 pm)

The Basics: How to Read Corporate Financial Statements

This session provides a practical introduction to corporate financial statements and the fundamental accounting concepts necessary to understand how businesses report their financial performance, financial position, and cash flows.

Participants will be introduced to the core financial statements, their purpose, and the relationships between them. Designed for professionals who regularly encounter financial information but do not have a formal accounting background, the course focuses on developing the skills required to read, interpret, and analyze financial statements with confidence.

Corporate Income Tax Returns: A Comprehensive Walkthrough

This session provides a detailed walkthrough of the T2 Corporation Income Tax Return and related tax filings, with a focus on understanding how corporate tax information can be used to assess business performance, identify income available to shareholders, and support financial analyses in Family Law, and business valuation context.

Participants will gain a practical understanding of the structure of a corporate tax return, the relationship between tax reporting and financial statement reporting, and the key schedules commonly reviewed by financial experts and lawyers.

Introduction to Business Valuation – Common Approaches

This session provides an introductory overview of the valuation approaches used to determine the value of a business, or ownership interest. It focuses on developing a high-level understanding of the methodologies commonly employed by valuation professionals and the circumstances in which each approach may be appropriate.

Participants will be introduced to some fundamental concepts that underpin business valuation. The course is intended for professionals who regularly encounter valuation issues but do not require a detailed technical understanding of valuation theory or calculations.

Understanding Corporate Structures and Reorganizations for Family Lawyers

This session provides a practical overview of common corporate structures, tax planning arrangements, and corporate reorganizations frequently encountered in Family Law matters. As family lawyers increasingly deal with owner-managed businesses, professional corporations, holding companies, trusts, and complex tax-driven structures, a foundational understanding of how these entities are organized and why they exist is critical to identifying family issues, conducting effective disclosure reviews, and working with financial experts.

Participants will gain insights to demystify common corporate and tax structures and explaining their relevance to equalization, income determinations, tracing exercises, and business valuations.

Tracing Excluded Property: Practice Approaches and Common Pitfalls

This session provides a practical examination of tracing excluded property in Family Law matters, including gifts, inheritances, pre-marriage property, investment accounts, real estate proceeds, trust interests, and funds over an extended period of time.

Participants will learn of the various techniques and challenges based on available documentation and the ability to establish a clear link between the original excluded asset and the property that exists at the Valuation Date.

Contingent Costs of Disposition: What are they and how are they calculated?

This session provides a focused examination of contingent costs of disposition and their treatment in the calculation of Net Family Property.

Participants will learn when an adjustment for notional disposition costs may be appropriate, the methodologies commonly used to quantify the adjustment, and the legal, tax, and factual considerations that may affect the amount recognized. The session will also address common areas of dispute, including the treatment of contingent income taxes, selling costs, timing assumptions, and the distinction between immediate and future disposition scenarios.