What do children in the midst of their parents’ high conflict divorce want for Christmas? Ask them… they’ll tell you they want freedom from conflict – a gift that will last a lifetime. Wouldn’t that be a special gift for your children? When parents talk about how they will share holidays and special occasions, many parents express that they simply want to “share holidays by mutual … [Read more...] about Give Your Children The Gift of A Conflict-Free Christmas
As a step-parent, do I have a right to spend time with my step-kids after divorce?
By agreement between you and your former spouse, you have a right to enter into a parenting arrangement with biological kids and/or step-kids. If you and your former spouse cannot agree, you may make an application to Court to ask for time with your step-kids. If you are unmarried and the kids reside in Alberta, you may apply to Court under the provisions of the Family Law Act called … [Read more...] about As a step-parent, do I have a right to spend time with my step-kids after divorce?
If I’m divorced, who will look after my kids in the event of my death?
The laws in Alberta vs. Saskatchewan regarding guardianship of children after the passing of one parent are quite different. Some parents think that it’s automatically the other parent that will get the kids. On the other hand, some parents try to put it in their Will as to who will get their kids, and it’s not the other parent. In Alberta, you yourself in a Will can only give to … [Read more...] about If I’m divorced, who will look after my kids in the event of my death?
Improve Your Communication With Your Co-Parent – Our Family Wizard App
When you’re separated, sometimes communicating with your ex can be difficult and can lead to conflict (intended or not). When I help clients develop a communication plan, it usually includes recommending that they use an app to communicate. There are tons of them out there, but my favourite is Our Family Wizard. At it’s core are the shared calendaring and the messaging … [Read more...] about Improve Your Communication With Your Co-Parent – Our Family Wizard App
How do I apply for Legal Aid?
The process to apply for legal aid is slightly different in Saskatchewan and in Alberta. Financial Eligibility: In both provinces, you must contact the regional legal aid office to apply for assistance from a legal aid lawyer. Each province will screen its applicants for financial eligibility. In Alberta, you will be screened based on your income. In Saskatchewan, you will be … [Read more...] about How do I apply for Legal Aid?
If I live in Lloydminster, do I have the choice of provinces in which I may file divorce court documents?
You may have the choice, but there are some parameters to be followed. The Divorce Act states that you may file divorce documents with the court in that particular province as long as one of the spouses has been resident in that province for at least a year. For example, if you have been resident in Saskatchewan for six months, but your spouse has been resident in Alberta for two years, … [Read more...] about If I live in Lloydminster, do I have the choice of provinces in which I may file divorce court documents?
“Retroactive Support” – Will you be a victim?
The hottest topic in family law these days is the issue of retroactive child support – also called “back pay”. When a parent is required to pay child support, that parent has a duty to tell the other parent when his or her income changes. As you may have experienced, this doesn’t always happen. The Supreme Court of Canada has recently validated what has long been the practice in … [Read more...] about “Retroactive Support” – Will you be a victim?
Farmers Find a New Approach to Divorce
In many cases, divorces are financially devastating. This is particularly true for farm families – many litigated outcomes can cause farmers’ operations to be irreparably crippled. The Collaborative Process can help farmers weather the storm of divorce better. In the Collaborative Process, the separating spouses and their lawyers engage in 4-way meetings to find creative options for … [Read more...] about Farmers Find a New Approach to Divorce