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 …
Conflict is never easy, and when a family issue enters the legal arena, it often becomes even more difficult to manage. A family law dispute, in particular divorce, can bring with it several stressors. It is a good idea for Alberta individuals to prepare for these challenges ahead of time …
When going through a divorce, small family businesses present a significant risk and challenge. Many married couples also happen to be joint-owners of small businesses. Running a business with a spouse can prove particularly beneficial since both owners tend to trust one another more than they would other business partners. …
The Canadian Bar Association has published a helpful checklist of money-saving tips that assists in dealing with any potential financial consequences of relationship breakdown. Recognizing that break-ups can be a difficult and emotionally turbulent time, the checklist works as a preliminary tool that: Describes how to prepare for the first …
The Canadian Bar Association has published the “Tax Matters Toolkit: Separation & Divorce” to assist separating parties understand potential tax consequences of relationship breakdown. The Toolkit notes that separation decisions, especially regarding children, property, or pensions, have tax implications and may affect parties’ future finances. To assist in becoming informed …
If you are in a situation where you are separating from your spouse and they are not earning the income that you believe that they could be earning, you are not entitled to insist that they get a job or find alternative employment, but you may be able to impute …
In order to set child and/or spousal support payments, the payor’s Guideline Income must first be determined. If a payor is an employee, often his/her Guideline Income will be the amount found on Line 150 of his/her previous year’s income tax return. However, if a payor is self-employed, the amount …
The Civil Marriage Act of 2005 changed Canadian law to allow same-sex partners equal access to marriage for civil purposes on the basis that every individual has the right to equality without discrimination. Since 2005, thousands of same-sex couples have accessed the rights afforded them under the Civil Marriage Act …
In 1996, the Federal Government introduced the Federal Child Support Guidelines (the “Guidelines”). The purpose of the Guidelines was to promote consistency and fairness in child support payments. The Guidelines provide for two classes of payment. First is “Section 3” child support, which is based on the payor’s income as …
