Blog - Divorce, Custody, Estate Lawyers & Best Law Firm in Calgary

When does my Child Get to Speak?

But in divorce, separation and custody matters, the voice of a child is not always directly heard. Parents will ask counsel and the Court ‘Why can’t my child say what they want?’ or ‘Can’t my child say where they want to live?’ or even ‘ Ask him if he wants a vaccination! There is no exact response to theses questions but fortunately there are some options. This is because each child matures at a different level. A very mature and eloquent eight-year-old may be able to vocalize their wish...

Can I move with my children? – Mobility and the new Divorce Act

When one parent seeks a substantial relocation with a child and the other parent objects, the moving parent may be required to make a mobility application. Until recently, the Divorce Act, the legislation governing divorced spouses, was silent on the issue of mobility. The Courts have long relied on the Supreme Court of Canada decision of Gordon v Goertz, [1996] 2 SCR 27, which outlines the test that moving parent must satisfy before being permitted to relocate with a child. This common law ...

Does getting married or having a new partner affect payment of spousal support?

Following separation or divorce, it is common for parties to find new life partners. This “re-partnering” is one factor that a court may consider relevant in determining a spousal support claim or variation. Re-partnering may impact a recipient’s entitlement to support as well as the quantum/duration of those spousal support payments. To understand how re-partnering may affect spousal support entitlement, there must be an understanding of the three grounds for spousal support – compensatory...

Why is it important to have a well drafted Last Will and Testament?

Wills and Estate lawyers will readily advise clients that fixing the issues caused by poor drafting and a lack of precision in estate planning results in far more time required to complete the estate probate process, stress for clients and in turn likely far higher legal costs. Clients are best served with hiring a well trained lawyer who regularly practices in the drafting of Last Will and Testaments, as well as the successful probate of an estate which is confirmed by the Court of Quee...

“In the Best Interests” of the Child- What Does It Really Mean?

The best interests test is a highly fact driven analysis, which is why it is important for parents to be aware of the factors listed in Section 16(3) of the Divorce Act. When parents do not agree on their parenting schedule and responsibilities, they need to be prepared to show why the parenting arrangement they are seeking is in the best interest of their children, and not simply what they desire as parents. Given the expansive list contained in Section 16(3), parents need to be mindful tha...

Separated Spouses and Occupation Rent

Immediately following separation, spouses often experience a transition period where they remain financially intertwined while working to divide their shared property. During this transition period, it is common for one spouse to continue residing in the family home while the other spouse moves out permanently or until a property agreement is finalized. Consequently, one party continues to benefit from living in the family home while the other party often incurs additional rent and living ex...

Do I really need a lawyer? - The Importance of Independent Legal Advice

Clients should understand the immense reluctance for judges or justices in Alberta to alter terms of an Agreement, to either render part or all of the agreement defunct, and leave the parties to the Agreement with uncertainty and further legal discontent. Where at all possible the judicial review of an Agreement and the insertion of a decision that is counter intuitive to the terms of an Agreement with independent legal advice will be avoided.

COVID-19 – Vaccinations for Children Under the Age of 16

Many parents remain divided on whether to vaccinate their children. Currently, the very recently developed vaccines approved within the last few months by Health Canada are approved for Children under the age of 16. It is the expectation that COVID-19 vaccines will be approved and in turn become available for children under the age of 16 in the future. To this end, all parents, and especially those separated / divorced parents now co-parenting their children, will have to resolve any compet...

Retroactive Child Support Applications when Children Reach the Age of Majority

Because of the Court’s interpretation of s. 15.1 in D.B.S. v. S.R.G., lower Courts, including here in Alberta, have been reluctant to grant retroactive support orders when the Child of the relationship has reached the age of majority, even in circumstances where the parties have an existing child support order in place. In the recent Supreme Court of Canada Decision of Michel v. Graydon, [2020] SCC 24, the Court determined that an Order for retroactive child support can be granted under Brit...