When making the decision to blend two existing families, particularly when one or both people in the relationship have minor children, there are several unique legal considerations that may come into play. It is important for both the parent and stepparent to fully understand the various legal consequences of the union when it comes to… Continue reading Legal Considerations for Blended Families in Alberta
Category: Family Law
Mother Seeks To Move Provinces With Children; Father Opposes
When it comes to matters related to separation or divorce for parents, parenting time can be one of the most difficult to resolve. This can be true when the parents live in the same city. However, when one parent looks to move to a different city, province, or country, a whole new series of disagreements… Continue reading Mother Seeks To Move Provinces With Children; Father Opposes
Woman Ordered to Pay Support to Common-Law Spouse Despite Abuse Charge
A recent family law decision out of Ontario is gaining attention for the court’s determination that the parties were common-law spouses despite one party’s insistence that they were merely roommates. This determination was made when deciding on the issue of entitlement to spousal support. However, the case also raises another question, due to a tangential… Continue reading Woman Ordered to Pay Support to Common-Law Spouse Despite Abuse Charge
“Clare’s Law” Enacted in Alberta to Assist Potential Victims of Domestic Violence
The dangers faced by those violent relationships are far too well-known. So much so that the provincial government established Alberta’s Family Violence Death Review Committee in 2013 to study the trends and risk factors when domestic violence leads to death. In a study, the Committee found that there were over 160 deaths in the province… Continue reading “Clare’s Law” Enacted in Alberta to Assist Potential Victims of Domestic Violence
Major Overhaul of Canada’s Divorce Act Comes into Effect
March 1st, this past Monday, marks the date that the first major overhaul of the country’s federal Divorce Act in over twenty years took effect. While there have been small changes here and there, the recent amendments are wide-ranging and result in sweeping changes affecting several aspects of family law. The primary focus of the… Continue reading Major Overhaul of Canada’s Divorce Act Comes into Effect
Province Proposes Changes to Alberta’s Adoption Process
On November 16th, the government of Alberta introduced legislative reforms to make the adoption process in the province simpler for adoptees, birth parents and prospective adoptive families. Through Bill 48, the Red Tape Reduction Implementation Act 2020, (No. 2), the province plans to implement several changes to the current process, which many feel creates unnecessary… Continue reading Province Proposes Changes to Alberta’s Adoption Process