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Three Common DIY Estate Planning Mistakes
Our office frequently meets with clients to review their estate planning strategies, only to find that they have already taken significant “DIY” steps based on a magazine article or an online b...
How is an Alberta Estate Taxed?
There is a common misconception that Alberta estates, and estates in Canada generally, are subject to an “estate tax” based on the total value of the estate, as in the United States. This is no...
Top 8 Ways to Waste Money on a Divorce Lawyer
The journey toward finalizing a divorce can be a treacherous one. The smart move is to have a qualified lawyer at your side as you work your way through all of the issues that can come with the end...
Naming an Executor of your Will – Individual or Trust Company?
Naming an Executor (also known as ‘Personal Representative’ or ‘Trustee’) of your Will would seem to be a fairly non-controversial issue and in most cases it is. Typically, a testator will ...
What is a Fair Divorce Settlement?
When a couple is getting divorced, you will often hear they are seeking a “fair” divorce settlement. The concept of a fair divorce settlement is not universal however, fairness is subjective. ...
CO-PARENTS…What are you really prepared to do for your children
What would you do to ensure the safety and well-being of your children? If they were facing a significant health crisis, would you drive to the hospital every day? Would you drive to Edmonton eve...
The Prenuptial Agreement: Alleviating the Hopelessness of the Hopeless Romantic
“Never marry someone you wouldn’t want to be divorced from.” – Nora Ephron Charting your matrimonial journey should be as rational as it is aspirational. A thoughtful approach will reduce you...
Joint Tenancy with Right of Survivorship
In Alberta, the owner of all real property (ie. real estate) must be registered with the Land Titles Office. The property can be owned as either joint tenants or tenants in common. Most commonly ...
James Brown Estate Settled
Finally, fifteen years after the death of “The Godfather of Soul”, James Brown, his estate has been settled. As with other celebrities such as Aretha Franklin and Prince, who died without a coheren...
Adult Interdependent Partner Support – What support are unmarried parents entitled to?
Separated parents in Alberta may be entitled to receive support from the other, despite not having been married. Adult Interdependent Partner support, or support for a common law partner, can be a...
The ‘Slayer Rule’ and Administration of a Deceased’s Estate
The concept of murder for profit is a consistent theme in real life and fictional pop culture. But can someone who has caused another person’s death also take a benefit from that person’s estat...
Predatory Marriage
The problem of a predatory marriage in which a person with reduced mental capacity marries someone who is motivated to take advantage of property transfers, family property legislation or changes t...
Exemptions from Division of Family Property
In Alberta, the Matrimonial Property Act has been amended and renamed the Family Property Act. The primary purpose of the amendments is to include property acquired by spouses in a non-married rela...
THE 3 MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO RESOLVE FAMILY LAW DISPUTES…while avoiding the stress and expense of a lengthy court process.
Navigating a separation from a spouse or a partner is often stressful, painful and confusing. There is often no end to the worries, including financial stress, concerns for children, and the desir...
What is the ‘Rule of 65’?
Spousal support in Alberta can be a very complicated issue as there are multiple steps and considerations to determining appropriate support, one of which is the “Rule of 65”. The Spousal Supp...
Divorce Disaster Recovery: Getting Relief to the Victims
The Fault Line. The Earthquake. The Fall Out Using a natural disaster analogy to describe divorce may seem needlessly theatrical. The most fortunate couples who end their relationship will do so am...
Gender Inequity in Family Law: The Men, The Myth, the Urban Legend
Family Lawyers regularly encounter male clients who feel preemptively aggrieved by the judicial system. Some men’s advocacy groups would have you believe that court decisions in Family Law are un...
What is a Cohabitation Agreement?
A Cohabitation Agreement (also known as a Prenuptial Agreement) is a contract executed by unmarried couples, setting out each party’s respective rights and obligations in the event of a relations...
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Divorce, Family, and Estate Lawyers: Serving Calgary and Area
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In Calgary, call 403-233-9300 or contact us online to book an appointment.