Faced with the reality of divorce, the initial steps can feel overwhelming and directionless. While the legal framework of divorce, governed by the Divorce Act and various provincial and territorial laws, is undeniably central, many find themselves grappling with a storm of emotions and practical uncertainties before even knowing where to begin legally. This is…
Collaborative Family Law is quickly becoming the preferred method for resolving family law issues in Alberta. If you are convinced there is a better way to resolve domestic matters than litigation, then this is the course for you! This is the first of three courses that you will need to get your official designation as…
So you are married or living together and one of you owns a property, and you are thinking about putting it in joint names. Tread carefully, this can be a minefield. Putting a property in joint names (joint tenancy) means that if either of you dies the property will automatically go to the survivor. This…
Turmoil In my meetings with divorce and common law separation clients I observe that there are typically many divorces occurring at the same time for any one family experiencing separation. The two partners experience their divorce differently, their children experience the divorce, but differently from their parents, and extended families and friendly support people have…
The COVID-19 crisis has created financial uncertainty for Canadians, including many who are faced with temporary lay offs. A temporary lay off creates a unique circumstance for the payment of child support. Child support payments are usually based on the payor’s most recent income information, but a temporary lay off brings sudden reduction in earnings,…
How can we resolve any ongoing family law disputes while the Courts are not hearing most matters due to the COVID-19 pandemic? Accessing the legal system can be difficult at the best of times. As the world wades through the current pandemic, alternative dispute resolution processes should be given consideration. One such approach is to…