Reading Time: 4 minutes Intolerable Delay, 5 Years: Case 1 Barrett Jordan was charged with a criminal offence in 2008 and his trial ended with his conviction in 2013. He alleged that his Charter right to trial within a reasonable time had been breached and the Supreme Court of Canada agreed. It set out a new standard for unreasonable […]
Dealing with Pets after Separation, Part 2: Going to Court
Reading Time: 8 minutes In the first half of this article, I wrote about the laws on personal property that might apply when a couple can’t agree on how they’ll manage their pets after they separate. In this half, I’ll talk about the sorts of orders you can and can’t ask the court to make about pets, assuming you […]
Dealing with Pets after Separation, Part 1: Understanding the Law on Personal Property
Reading Time: 7 minutes Family law is about how serious cohabiting relationships start and end, how children are cared for after separation, how the bills are paid after separation, and how the property and debts that accumulated during a relationship are split when it ends. Despite the folks who’d very much like to apply for custody of or access […]
Responding to Children’s Refusal to Visit After Separation – Part 3
Reading Time: 6 minutes In the first part of this article, I wrote about the research on children who refuse to visit a parent after separation and how children’s relationship with a parent can sometimes break down for reasons other than the interfering actions of the other parent. In the second part, I talked about the warning signs that […]
How is property divided at the end of a relationship?
Reading Time: 2 minutes The property rights that you have at the end of a relationship depend on what kind of relationship you had in the first place. Are you married? Living together? If you are married, then the property rights that you have come from Alberta’s Matrimonial Property Act. If you are living together but are not married, then […]
Co-parenting: Doing your best for the kids during separation and divorce
Reading Time: < 1 minute 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 seminars all across Alberta. You […]
Update: Helping Children and Teens Deal with Separation and Divorce
Reading Time: < 1 minute In LawNow’s most recent issue, a very popular article has been “Helping Children and Teens Deal with Separation and Divorce“. Here is another resource to add to the list! The Public Legal Information Association of NL has recently released material for children and youth living in Newfoundland and Labrador, ages 10 to 15 years, dealing […]
Helping Children and Teens Deal with Separation and Divorce
Reading Time: 3 minutes 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 across the country offer parent education programs […]
To Move or Not to Move – that is the Question
Reading Time: 4 minutes In 2005, Patrick and Serena signed a Separation Agreement that said they would have joint custody of their 4-year old son, Jason (not his real name). Jason would live primarily with Serena and Patrick had specified access. Neither parent would move out of B.C.’s lower mainland without the consent of the other parent or a […]
