People often assume shared parenting is when each parent has a week on/week off rotation with the children. However, this is not necessarily the case. In Alberta, shared parenting is when each parent has the children between 40% and 60% of the time. One-week rotations with the children does qualify …
Many people have the habit of sharing family moments and inner thoughts through social media channels. This can seem like a harmless way to keep in touch, but during a family law dispute, posting the wrong thing online can have dire consequences. In general, Alberta parents should be very careful when using social media …
One of the biggest concerns people have when ending a marriage is the financial toll it can take. Short-term expenses, such as moving and legal fees, are exacerbated by the longer-term challenges of running a single household. However, there are ways to manage costs. Divorce mediation, communicating clearly and doing the proper preparation …
Many people are aware of common divorce issues like child custody, spousal support and the fate of the family home. But, for the many married couples who own and operate a business together in Alberta, the fate of the family business can be one of the hardest things to tackle in divorce mediation. There …
Child abuse is a very challenging issue to navigate. Finding family law solutions in a situation where a parent or someone in the household is suspected of abusive behaviour can be particularly unsettling and legally contentious for all involved. Those who are accused of abuse, or those who suspect abuse …
Co-parenting comes with challenges any time of year, but the holidays can be a particular struggle.Divorced parents in Alberta often contend with issues like child custody schedules, differing traditions and how much to spend on presents. They may also argue over Christmas, New Year’s and other celebrations. While there are …
Couples who have become acclimated to a certain lifestyle, or who hold a significant amount of wealth, have particular considerations when they choose to end a marriage. In Alberta, even high asset divorce can leave one or both parties with concerns about their financial well-being. What can be done to …
In the scenario of divorce, the situation often seems isolating and lonely. There are times where one may feel that it is only themselves and their lawyer that have a true understanding of the complexities and barriers that are present. This is not the case with Kirk Montoute Dawson LLP. …
I came to Kirk Montoute Dawson LLP shell-shocked and completely ignorant of what my next steps needed to be, let alone what long-term actions I would need to take. Laurie Stephen very quickly organized my steps, laid out what I needed to do, explained what she needed to do and what the process should look like. Unfortunately, my process didn’t proceed the way it could have and became a nightmare that I truly don’t know how I would have survived without Laurie’s steady guidance, expert advice and unwavering compassion for my situation.
I am able to recall my very first meeting with Wanda Dawson vividly. Through heartbreak, I entered her firm’s office with tears flowing freely – hardly believing that I was moving ahead with my imminent divorce. I felt like a failure and that my whole life was on the verge of falling apart. I walked the halls of her firm to a meeting room with my face swollen from tears – feeling like I was “on display” for all of the firm’s employees to see. In each and every person that I made eye contact with, I received a knowing smile and a look that said “everything will be okay”.
