Whether you’re facing a divorce, parentage issues, guardianship, child support or other family law matter, both federal and provincial family laws may affect the outcome.
This can further complicate an already complex and stressful matter regarding you and your loved ones.
It helps to have a family lawyer who understands the relevant laws and with the experience to guide you through the legal processes towards the outcome you are looking for.
In some areas, the Divorce Act works alongside the Family Law Act, such as with child/spousal support and parenting arrangements.
You may not need to appear before a judge if you can reach a separation agreement beforehand with your partner.
However, if there are issues that cannot be resolved by collaboration between the lawyers that you appoint, or by a process of mediation or arbitration, you may end up at trial.
At divorce trials, a judge will decide on the key elements of separation, such as child custody, child/spousal support, and property division.
Before you can file for divorce in Canada, you must have been separated from your spouse for at least 12 months unless there are other factors involved, such as domestic violence.
Once the application is filed, most divorces in Alberta are settled within three to six months unless there is a trial.
Trial cases can last for many months or even years and become very expensive. They are also conducted in public. Most couples prefer to avoid this and reach an agreement by alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation or arbitration.
The powers, responsibilities and entitlements of a child’s guardian are all specified in the Family Law Act.
However, disputes often arise about parenting time, visitation rights, respective responsibilities, cost-sharing, and other matters.
In this situation, one guardian may want to request the court for a parenting order to be granted under the Family Law Act.
This will be a legally enforceable court order that can compel each parent to comply with the terms. It usually also includes a provision for dealing with any future parenting disputes.
The judge will be expected to follow guidelines for determining “best interests” and to ensure that the child’s physical, psychological and emotional safety comes first.
Certain factors (such as the following) will generally be considered by the judge before he or she decides:
Once a court order details the child support amount and duration, the payor parent is legally obliged to make these payments to the recipient parent. This can be enforced by the courts.
Changes to child support orders can be made only through the courts and only if there is a substantial change in circumstances for either parent or the child.
Contact Jennings Family Law today to receive a private consultation and case evaluation.