December is typically the busiest (and most stressful) time at the Court. Even if you do not celebrate Christmas, children still have time off from school and it is common for families to depart from their regular parenting schedule. If you do not have a formal parenting plan in place …
Parenting in a time of Pandemic
Along with the COVID-19 Pandemic have come court applications by parents seeking to change their parenting plans because of disagreements as to the other parent’s perceived lack of compliance with social distancing guidelines. A small but growing body of case law has generated common-sense principles that should be observed by …
Can Children Choose Which Parent to Live With?
Children will sometimes want to choose which parent to live with or express a preference for residing with one parent over the other. For a variety of reasons, the children do not get to choose which parent they live with but their preferences may be considered. Ultimately, if the parents …
What is Shared Parenting?
People often assume shared parenting is when each parent has a week on/week off rotation with the children. However, this is not necessarily the case. In Alberta, shared parenting is when each parent has the children between 40% and 60% of the time. One-week rotations with the children does qualify …
Navigating co-parenting and child custody during the holidays
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 …
MOBILITY APPLICATIONS IN ALBERTA: Making the Case to Move With Your Child
More than ever, employment and economic forces are conspiring to force some Albertans to consider relocation. In those situations that involve relocation with children of a divorce or separation, this may culminate in a Court application. When one parent seeks a significant relocation with a child, and in so doing …
How child support and custody impacts separated parents’ taxes
There are many things parents need to consider after separating from their significant other. Among the many considerations are changes to one’s tax status. The tax situation of a newly single parent can vary greatly depending who maintains child custody, who is paying child support and how child care expenses …
Travelling without children during a family law dispute
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 …
Family law: When one parent takes the children without consent
Compromising over child visitation is something many divorced or separated parents often find difficult. Family law in Alberta stipulates that children do better when they can have both parents in their lives, but when one parent leaves the country with his or her children without the permission of the other, …