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 desire to end the conflict without a war. An important conclusion reached by many family law professionals, including lawyers, …
What are the alternatives to Court if you don’t agree?
There are alternatives to court if you and your ex are unable to reach an agreement after separation, which are broadly called Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). While it is typically cheaper for the parties to reach an agreement through negotiations, that is not always possible in which case these options …
What is Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)?
ADR vs. Court The legal and judicial systems in Alberta have modernized in actively incentivizing parties to choose Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). More broadly called “mediation”, these models of dispute resolution have evolved over time, all with the same goals of minimizing conflict, keeping costs down and expediting resolution. The …
Divorce Mediation: One of many ways to manage costs in a separation
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 …
Managing the Family Business in Divorce Mediation
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 …
Collaborative law and other options when seeking a divorce
Those who are seeking to end their marriages may know that legal support is needed for the process, but what might that support look like? In Alberta divorces, there are few avenues individuals can go through to resolve family law issues. The most commonly pursued are collaborative law, mediation or “traditional” litigation. …
Considerations for retirees pursuing divorce mediation
It’s common to hear about couples staying together for the children, but what about staying together for the retirement savings? For many Alberta seniors, dividing up assets right before or during retirement can be a big undertaking, especially if plans and savings were designed with staying together in mind. For …
Understanding the basics of divorce mediation
When Alberta couples decide to end their marriages, there are often many issues to resolve. This can include custody, spousal support and asset distribution. For many families, divorce mediation is the most constructive and cost-effective option. But how does this really work in practice? Typically, divorce mediators are lawyers who also …
Divorce mediation could help sort out financial issues
On behalf of Gary Kirk of Kirk Montoute Dawson LLP posted in Divorce Mediation on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. Money issues. They often don’t leave a couple alone even after they’ve divorced, especially if they have children. But many problems surrounding a divorcing couple’s finances may be ironed out using …
The good divorce
On behalf of Gary Kirk of Kirk Montoute Dawson LLP posted in Divorce Mediation on Monday, June 18, 2018. While no couple begins their marriage anticipating divorce, a relationship can deteriorate for any number of reasons. With sensationalized stories about feuding celebrity couples dominating the headlines and cautionary tales regarding …