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 …
Understanding home ownership and property rights in a divorce
There are many contentious issues that can arise during a divorce. However, when it comes to property rights, the family home is often at the centre of most battles. While some divorcing couples in Alberta choose to simply sell the home and part ways, others may choose to keep it. Deciding who …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Family law: When a spousal support payor’s income increases
Individuals receiving spousal support may be cheering when their former spouses get substantial pay raises. Increasing the amount of spousal support after a payor gets a raise is one of the most contentious, litigated issues in family law in Canada. Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines are used in Canada to determine the …
Child Support and Post-Secondary Education and the “Farden Factors”
By Suzanne Fleming of Kirk Montoute Dawson LLP posted in Child Support on Monday, February 11, 2019. In Alberta, the law on what constitutes a “child of the marriage” continues to evolve. There is a common misconception that when a child reaches the age of majority (18 in Alberta), he …