John’s Articles

John written several articles in relation to children’s legal issues both in and out of court.  These articles are widely used authorities on the topics they cover. Below is a list of the articles, with a brief synopsis. Click on the title to see the full article.

• Developmentally Appropriate Questions for Child Witnesses – published in 1999, this article is still the leading resource for judges, lawyers and other people wishing to question children in relation to legal matters both in and out of court.  It gives guidance on how best to do that.

• When World’s Collide – Minor’s Rights to Direct Medical Treatment in Ontario – published in 1998, this article is still current with regard to the rights of children to direct medical treatment that they understand, even if their decision is not the same as their parents.

• I Have to OK by Surgery, But Nobody Asks Me Where I Want to Live – this brief article contrasts how under Ontario Law, children have to provide their consent to even complex medical procedures, but often nobody asks them how much time they want to spend with each of their separated parents.

• Allegations of Sexual Abuse When Parents Have Separated – John conducted a research study of the prevalence of false allegations of sexual abuse of children by separated parents.  This article both resorts on the results of that study and describes how judges react, and should react, to these false allegations.

• Child Support – When Payments Overwhelm – this paper discusses how child support payers can get into trouble and end up being ordered to pay too much support. It then discusses what they can do to get out of that problem, which this article would have helped them avoid in the first place. 

• The Pros of Arguing a Temporary Care and Custody Motion on a First Appearance in a Children’s Aid Society Court Case – It  is important to hire a family lawyer right away when a children’s aid society takes your child.  The reasons why are in this article by John Schuman that was published in Legal Aid Ontario’s Helpful Tips for Lawyers Representing Clients in Proceedings under the Child and Family Services Act ,  which is a guide for lawyers who do children’s aid society cases.