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...]
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...]
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...]
Relocations with Children: The law before and the law now
New moving rules apply to families going through a divorce or already divorced, including those with existing orders or agreements. The federal government has made some important changes to the Divorce Act. John-Paul Boyd provided an overview of the changes in his November 2019 article “Important … [Read more...]
When is Shared Parenting Appropriate?
When the parents of a child separate, they must make decisions about where the child should live on a day-to-day basis. Many parents prefer some form of “shared parenting” which usually means that each parent has day-to-day care of the child at least 40% of the time. However, shared … [Read more...]
What COVID-19 Caselaw Tells Us about Parenting
This column is coming out during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health authorities across Canada, and the world, have issued protocols for limiting the spread of the virus. Many family courts are only hearing “urgent” matters. The court has heard cases during this time that speak to a specific set of … [Read more...]
Do Books Relieve Children’s Pain During Divorce?
Families are no longer as secure as they used to be. The process of divorce and separation can deeply affect children, as can exposure to new types of family structures. Children may feel stressed, frustrated and confused. When parents separate or divorce, children may: have difficulties … [Read more...]
Enforcement of Family Law Orders When Parents Live in Different Places: Part 2
Generally, Alberta court orders are only enforceable in Alberta. And, generally, Alberta judges can only grant family law orders about people who reside in Alberta. However, families are mobile and many relocate from province to province or even from country to country. Therefore, Alberta has … [Read more...]
Enforcement of Family Law Orders When Parents Live in Different Places: Part 1
Generally, Alberta court orders are only enforceable in Alberta. And, generally, Alberta judges can only grant family law orders about people who reside in Alberta. However, families are mobile and many relocate from province to province or even from country to country. Therefore, Alberta has … [Read more...]
Dispensing with a Parent’s Consent for Counselling for Children
When parents go through a separation, the effects on children can be harsh. Often, children benefit from counselling. Usually, both parents agree and provide their consent for this to occur. But occasionally, one parent will not consent. This leaves the other parent, and the child, in a … [Read more...]
