Date of Marriage

For many clients entering our offices, the date of marriage may seem like a distant memory, or perhaps a day they would prefer not to remember at all. But no matter how much you may want to forget it, your marriage date remains significant in the eyes of the law. When two people enter into […]

Uncontested Divorce

A divorce is recognized when there has been a breakdown of marriage which occurs when the parties have been separated for at least one year or where the party filing the application proves that their spouse has committed cruelty or adultery. However, if none of these things have occurred but both you and your spouse […]

Separation Agreements

A Separation Agreement is a private contract made between separating spouses, or common law partners, in an effort to resolve property, support, or parenting issues. Due to the fact that these issues can be quite complicated, they can have a major and long-term impact on your rights and obligations. Therefore, consulting with a lawyer to […]

Section 7 Expenses

Section 7 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines (Guidelines) specifically addresses those “special or extraordinary expenses” which the basic monthly child support or table amount does not include. Section 7 outlines the categories of special or extraordinary expenses which include: child care expenses incurred as a result of the custodial parent’s employment, illness, disability or […]

Misconception of Sole Custody

The Meaning of Sole Custody To get to the misconceptions of sole custody it is important to outline its meaning. Sole custody outlines how decisions are made for the child and who can make them. It does not outline the physical care or the amount of time spent with the child. Sole custody is also […]

What are the Child Support Guidelines?

The Federal Child Support Guidelines contain an easy to use table for each province and territory to determine how much child support needs to be paid from one parent to the other. The set-formula: The table uses a set formula which considers: The number of children that child support should be paid for, and The […]

Dispute Resolution Officers

Dispute Resolution Officers (“DRO’s”) are experienced family law lawyers in all areas of family law who has been carefully selected by the court to meet the parties and assist them in settling their matter. The DRO will not only speak with parties and their counsel, but also suggesting different mechanisms for resolution which will satisfy […]

Collaborative Law

Collaborative Family Law is also known as the CFL process and is a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution that focuses on interest-based negotiation. The CFL process requires the voluntary participation and willingness of both parties to work through the legal issues civilly and amicably. In the CFL process, parties resolve their disputes respectfully, with the assistance […]

Property Division

The division of assets and property can be complicated and confusing. Furthermore, married spouses have different property rights under the law than common-law spouses. Married couples are entitled to a legislated property division regime, known as “Equalization”, which is set out in the Family Law Act. The equalization process begins with each spouse calculating their respective “net family property” […]

Spousal Support

Finances are one of the most common concern when considering a separation or divorce from your spouse. Whether you are the higher or lower income earner, the subject of your finances is crucial, and often the indicator of your quality of life, going forward. You or your spouse may be entitled to claim spousal support, regardless of whether you were […]