Going on vacation can be a great way to relieve stress. Many Alberta individuals in the midst of a family law proceeding wish they could book a getaway, but there are legal considerations before jetting off. This is particularly true of those with children; even if the children are not coming …
Set boundaries and rules to protect kids from child custody drama
One of the biggest concerns parents have during a divorce is protecting their children’s mental health and well-being. Decisions about child custody and support have real consequences for children, and in almost all cases a breakup between parents will mean major life changes for the children involved. One paradigm Alberta …
Protecting credit amidst a family law dispute
Divorce does not only involve the division of assets, but also the distribution of debts and, in some cases, future income. A family law dispute can cause a great deal of financial stress and can have a major impact on a person’s credit if they are stuck carrying more debt than they …
How to protect wealth in the family law process
For most divorcing couples, financial concerns are top-of-mind. The distribution of assets and future financial support make up the bulk of the family law process in most Alberta separations. Fortunately, there are preventative measures that can be taken to avoid an unfair or drawn-out break-up. The earlier these issues are discussed in …
Stress, mental health issues can accompany a family law dispute
Many people are aware of the property-related impact a divorce can have. But what effect does this financial and personal stress have on other aspects of a person’s health and well-being? Many people in Alberta are impacted by a family law dispute, and it is important to understand how this may …
Navigating divorce, taxes and complex asset division
Dividing assets during a divorce can be particularly difficult when a couple owns a lot of land, or if they have a shared business. For Alberta farming families, both are often in the mix, making for complex asset division. When splitting family assets, one common question among both rural and urban …
How does a job loss affect spousal support negotiations?
Divorce settlements are almost always based on certain assumptions, including an assumption about the projected future earnings of each spouse. This information is often considered when calculating spousal support in Alberta. But what happens when a job loss takes place during a divorce? There are a few things divorcees should know about …
Finding family law solutions amidst domestic violence issues
Domestic violence is a topic that is getting increasing coverage in recent years, and a high-profile domestic violence incident in Calgary has reignited the conversation in Alberta. People seem to have many questions about how to manage such situations. What should be done if experiencing domestic violence? Is there a …
Declining marriage rates signal family law trends
There are many different types of families in Alberta, but unmarried or “common-law” couples seems to particularly be on the rise. Recently, Statistics Canada verified this trend. According to the General Social Survey (GSS), three-quarters of Canadian adults 25 to 64 cohabit with a partner but that a decreasing number of …
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 …