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...]
Helping Children and Teens Deal with Separation and Divorce
In 2008 Statistics Canada estimated that 41% of Canadian marriages would end in divorce before the 30th year of marriage. Most agree that the divorce of parents has a profound impact on the emotional well-being of children. The legal system has recognized this issue and family justice services … [Read more...]
Vol 37-5: May/Jun 2013
Full PDF of this issue Table of Contents Featured Articles: Families in Flux Special Report: Resource Development Issues Departments Columns Printable PDF version Featured Articles: Families in Flux Change is life and life is change! Families … [Read more...]
What’s in a Name? Legal Issues in Changing a Child’s Name
What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. – Romeo and Juliet Juliet might have made a convincing argument to dismiss the importance of the label of the name, yet most people see their names as being directly connected with the people that they are. It … [Read more...]