The Federal Child Support Guidelines provide a framework for the payment of child support that a parent pays to support a child financially after a separation or divorce. What are the Federal Child Support Guidelines? As stated in Paragraph 1 of the Guidelines, their purpose is: (a) To establish … [Read more...]
A Brief Primer on Child Support: Part Two
This article is the second of a two-part series on the basics of child support. In the first article I talked about who can ask for support and who has to pay it. In this article, I’ll talk about how much child support is paid, including how children’s extraordinary expenses are covered. How Much … [Read more...]
A Brief Primer on Child Support: Part One
Child support is money paid by a parent toward the living expenses of his or her child. Other people can be required to pay child support, including guardians and stepparents.The duty to pay child support is based on a parent’s obligation, under the old common law, to provide his or her child … [Read more...]
Multicultural Family Law Facilitators Project
Project Description This article briefly describes the Multicultural Family Law (MFL) Facilitators project developed by United Cultures of Canada Association, Family Law Office (Legal Aid Alberta) and ASSIST Community Services Centre with financial assistance provided by the City of Edmonton – … [Read more...]
Reflecting on Family Violence
I practise family law and often my clients have experienced, or are experiencing, family violence. It can be difficult to discuss “family violence” generally because there is no one experience of violence. A “yes” to a general question about whether or not a client has experienced family violence … [Read more...]
Co-parenting: Doing your best for the kids during separation and divorce
Separation or divorce is one of the most emotionally taxing situations a person may face. On top of that, a parent is usually trying to maintain some semblance of normal life for their children. Some guidance in the midst of this can help.Family Justice Services offers Parenting After Separation … [Read more...]
Birth, Families and Employment
When a child comes into a family (through birth or adoption) and where the caregivers are employed (e.g., working for pay), there will need to be some kind of arrangement for leave from the employment in order to care for the child. Most families require that at least some portion of the leave is … [Read more...]
Bench Press 38-1: Defining Dads
This is complicated. R and H were in a same-sex interdependent relationship and decided they would like to have a child. D, who was also in a same-sex relationship, agreed to bear a child for them, using R’s sperm. A child, S was born and was raised for her first three years by R and H, with … [Read more...]
Bench Press 37-5: Give It Up!
A Calgary man, unhappy with the decision a Court of Queen’s Bench justice made in his family law case, didn’t appeal the decision. Instead, representing himself, he sued the judge, citing malicious misuse of process and malfeasance in public office. He relied on a New Zealand decision, which allowed … [Read more...]
Bench Press 37-5: Conspiracy Theory?
The British Columbia Court of Appeal has ruled that the tort of conspiracy has no place in family law. Jodie Waters sued her ex-husband and his new wife, claiming that they conspired to transfer assets so as to thwart her claim for child support. The Court of Appeal decided that there is … [Read more...]
