Upcoming Changes to the Divorce Act
Bill C-78 received Royal Assent on June 21, 2019 and most of the changes to the Divorce Act will take place on July 1, 2020. The Bill...
Grounds for Divorce in Alberta
Marital breakdown is the ground for divorce in Alberta and the marital breakdown can occur through fault or no fault. Marital breakdown...
Pension Division upon Separation or Divorce
In the past, pensions were not considered property and were not divided as matrimonial property. However, pensions are now unequivocally...
Adopt a Child in Alberta
There are multiple paths to adoption in Alberta: Government care: Adoption of a child that has special needs, is unable to live with...
Canadian Jurisdiction of Marriage
If you have ever wondered what gives our government the right to legislate in the areas of marriage and divorce, then the following will...
Asset Dissipation
Dissipation is the unjustified wasting of matrimonial assets. Dissipation can take many forms and requires a degree of intent. It is...
Pet Custody Upon Separation or Break-Up
You have separated from your partner and you would like to keep the pooch. What are your rights? Legislation Currently, there is no...
Step-Parents and Child Support in Alberta
When a step-parent and a biological parent separate, a common issue is whether the step-parent is required to pay child support. In...
Joint Divorce
Divorce can take three forms in Alberta: contested, uncontested, and joint. Of the three, a joint divorce has the most potential to cause...
Grandparent Rights in Alberta
The Alberta Family Law Act (“the Act”) does not specifically provide for grandparent rights. The Act does not assume that grandchildren...
Is it Possible to Pay Less Child Support if I Lose my Job?
It happens. It may be your fault or it may have occurred through no fault of your own. Nonetheless, losing your job often initiates a...
Property Division Among Common Law Partners is Changing: Is a Cohabitation Agreement Right for You?
Alberta will, via Bill 28, the Family Statutes Amendment Act, revamp legislation by giving increased support to unmarried partners in a...