We define a codicil as a legal document that is used to modify an existing will without completely replacing it. This document allows you to make minor changes to your will, such as adding or removing beneficiaries, changing the personal representative, or updating asset distributions. When is a Codicil Used? …
Can I legally prevent my children from seeing their other parent?
Divorce and separation can be a difficult and emotional time for everyone involved, especially when children are involved. Some of the most contentious issues in a divorce or separation are parenting, custody, and access to children of the relationship. Many parents wonder if they can legally prevent their children from …
Income Imputation in Family Law Cases: What You Need to Know
When it comes to determining the appropriate amount of child or spousal support in a family law case, the court will consider a range of factors, including each party’s income. However, what happens when one party is not currently earning an income, but has the potential to earn more? In …
When Love is a Stranger: Navigating Parental Alienation in the Alberta Family Courts
Parental Alienation is a complex and deeply painful dynamic that can profoundly affect families. This issue can be challenging to address emotionally and, in some cases, legally. With this particular backdrop, Alberta Family Courts are confronted with the unique challenge of evaluating and finding solutions on matters such as Parenting …
Estate Planning Tips and Traps
A sensible estate plan is crucial to ensure a smooth and uneventful transition of your assets to your beneficiaries. While estate planning need not be overly complicated, here are some items that should be thoughtfully considered in consultation with a lawyer, tax accountant or financial advisor. Tip: Perhaps this is …
Will the Court hear a Litigant Who Stands in Contempt of Court?
Deliberate failure to comply with Court Orders is an increasingly common feature of litigation. While the Courts are typically prepared to provide litigants, particularly those who are self-represented, with a generous amount of latitude, significant sanctions will be imposed when a litigant refuses to comply with their court-ordered obligations. Those …
Dealing with your Family Business in a Divorce
Going through a divorce can be a stressful and complicated time in your life. If you and your spouse run a small business together or even if only one spouse runs the business, the value of that business will need to be determined and divided. Pursuant to the Family Property …
Imputing Income When Under-employed or Unemployed
In Alberta, child and spousal support are calculated based on the payor’s income. If someone has chosen to work less or take lower paying work, the Court may determine that imputing income to that individual is the appropriate course of action. This has historically been a difficult thing to do …
Money “Triggers” in Divorce: The Most Emotional Financial Issues in Family Law
The more intrinsically human affairs such as parenting schedules, decision-making for children and relocation with children are undeniably more prone to conflict in any divorce. The financial issues are far from immune. Divorcing spouses can be provoked by financial claims or positions that can arouse equally strong emotional reactions of …
Help! My Ex Is a Narcissist
Narcissist Personality Disorder is a mental condition where people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, troubled relationships and a lack of empathy. Characteristics of narcissists and symptoms can vary drastically. While most people are not formally diagnosed with Narcissist Personality …