FAQs: MediationWhat is mediation? Mediation is a method of resolving disputes with the help of an impartial third party mediator. The mediator works with the parties to find optimal solutions in a manner that is cooperative and non-adversarial and takes into account each person’s interests. Most mediators will guide the …
Reclaiming financial independence following divorce
The financial stress of a divorce is a frequently discussed topic. Alberta individuals and couples at every stage in a divorce have questions about how to pursue the dissolution of their marriage without creating a seemingly impossible level of financial stress. Navigating divorce mediation in the right way, connecting with …
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. …
Spousal support among common divorce surprises
Even in a fairly amicable divorce, surprises and misconceptions can catch people off guard. Those undergoing the divorce mediation process in Alberta should be aware of some of the financial and legal issues that await them, such as the impact of spousal support and the challenges of disconnecting shared accounts. Here …
Grey divorce raises complex asset division issues for many
When couples have been together for a long time and have built their lives as a unit, splitting assets can be tricky business. The rise of so-called “grey divorce” in Canada has also given rise to questions about complex asset division, as many of these splits are anything but straight-forward. Here is …
Family law: Some changes to Divorce Act should be more concise
On behalf of Gary Kirk of Kirk Montoute Dawson LLP posted in Family Law on Monday, December 31, 2018. Most of the changes to the Divorce Act have been applauded. There are still 45 proposed changes recommended to the Act, which oversee family law rules, most of which centre around …
Keeping a business safe in a high asset divorce situation
On behalf of Gary Kirk of Kirk Montoute Dawson LLP posted in High Asset Divorce on Thursday, September 13, 2018. Entrepreneurs need to know a lot more about divorce than the average Joe or Jane. Some Alberta residents who have amassed a sizable amount of assets from a successful business …
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 …
Alberta’s Influence On Proposed Divorce Act Changes
On behalf of Gary Kirk of Kirk Montoute Dawson LLP posted in Family Law on Monday, June 4, 2018. For the first time in over 20 years, significant changes are being proposed in regards to Canada’s Divorce Act, partly due to Albertan influence. The amendments, if approved, would include a …
High asset divorce in Canada: Keep it out of the court system
On behalf of Gary Kirk of Kirk Montoute Dawson LLP posted in High Asset Divorce on Tuesday, January 9, 2018. Couples who have decided to divorce and who have healthy bank accounts and portfolios, including property and other assets, are advised by experts to stay out of the court system. …