A look at common co-parenting challenges, as well as practical dos and don'ts for parents and a reminder of when to get help. Co-parenting is never easy and comes with complications, especially when you don't get along with your co-parent. However, it is important to try, where possible, to … [Read more...]
New approach in Alberta to imputing income to underemployed and unemployed parents
In 2022, the Alberta Court of Appeal in Peters v Atchooay changed course and adopted the reasonableness test for imputing income to calculate child support. The amount of child support a parent pays is based on their income. For many parents, figuring out their income means looking at their … [Read more...]
The Tort of Family Violence: New relief available for victims of family violence
In 2022, the Ontario Supreme Court applied a new tort of family violence that recognizes the complex dynamic of violence within a relationship. The new tort of family violence represents another step forward in Canadian courts’ ever-changing views of how to address violence in family matters. To … [Read more...]
Childcare Obligations and Self-Accommodation in Alberta
Under Alberta human rights laws, what do employees have to show in a case of family status discrimination relating to childcare obligations? Provincial, territorial and federal human rights legislation in Canada prohibits discrimination against employees based on family status. This protection … [Read more...]
(Even More) Myths About Child Support
Debunking the myths and legends that haunt family law, including those about supporting adult children and the obligations of stepparents. We have already debunked some myths about the law of child support, but there are so many out there! Let’s address a few more … Myth: My child is now 18 so I … [Read more...]
Working with Clients Who Have Experienced Family Violence: Being client-centered and trauma-informed
Calgary Legal Guidance's Domestic Violence Family Law program is constantly learning and growing to better hear, understand and serve its clients. Calgary Legal Guidance (CLG) is a non-profit organization offering a range of legal services to those who cannot easily access Legal Aid or other paid … [Read more...]
What happens when farmers divorce?
The inter-generational nature of farms, and the need to keep enough farmland to make the farm viable, pose several unique challenges when families decide to separate. Farm families often experience the law in unique ways, and divorce is no exception. The inter-generational nature of farms, and the … [Read more...]
What happens when a business owner divorces? Part 2
In this second part, let's look at protecting a business, and calculating child and spousal support. Part 1 of this article explained the various ways a divorcing spouse can be compensated for their family property claim to a business. Part 2 now looks at how to insulate a business from the … [Read more...]
What happens when a business owner divorces? Part 1
In this part, let's look at buying spouses out and corporate assets. Whether you are a business owner, the spouse of a business owner, or in business with another family, you may be curious about what impact a divorce can have on the business. If your business partner is divorcing or you are … [Read more...]
What If Parents Do Not Agree on Vaccinating Their Children?
With children five years and older now eligible for the COVID vaccine, some separated parents who cannot agree on vaccinating their children are ending up in court. On November 19, 2021, Health Canada approved the use of a lower dose Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use in children aged five … [Read more...]
