Moving in with your partner can be a big step. And it's an increasingly common decision among Canadians. According to statistics, in 2021, about 80 percent of people between the ages of 20-24 who were in a relationship lived with their partner. If you are part of this...
Family Law
Do I have rights to see my grandkids?
It can be incredibly painful to see your adult children go through a divorce, struggle with parenting or experience personal setbacks. When these situations compromise your time and access to your grandchildren, they can be exceptionally agonizing. Under these...
Is our prenuptial agreement valid?
There are numerous benefits to drawing up a prenuptial agreement before you get married or move in with your partner. These contracts can ensure you are on the same page regarding expectations and understanding each other's financial status. You can also protect...
How Alberta family law views common-law unions
One of the benefits of living in a federation is the freedom accorded to each province and territory, even so far as adjudication. Family law falls under federal jurisdiction and distinguishes between the dissolution of a formal marriage and that of a common-law...
Man owing child support arrested for violation of family law
There are many ways people may attempt to evade child support or spousal support obligations. These family law violations can have serious consequences for both the violating payer and the dependants involved. Recently, one man made news in Calgary, Alberta...
Under family law, child support applies even if mom commits fraud
While most child support and custody conflicts occur after a child is born, occasionally these issues arise as soon as a pregnancy is announced. This is certainly true for men who are expecting fatherhood after former partners dishonestly assured them they were...
Obscure Latin terms and what they may mean in Alberta family law
It can be intimidating for anyone to plow through texts sprinkled with terms and phrases in a foreign language, whether on a restaurant menu or in a legal document. Botany, medicine and the law all feature Latin--a language once considered universal, now known as a...
Breach of promise, property division and Alberta family law
The tradition of publicly declaring a commitment to formally marry by giving an engagement ring began some time in the 1400s. Evolving from rings made of posies or carved out of wood, the diamond eventually became the signature of this classic emblem of betrothal....
Family law may order wealthier spouse to pay legal expenses
Divorce can be a challenging legal process, especially if one spouse has significantly more resources than the other. Alberta divorcees may be concerned about obtaining the same level of legal counsel as their wealthier exes. Under Canadian family law, the spouse...
New statistics show diverse families and family law needs
Statistics can reveal many things about a country and the people who live there. Statistics Canada has released new data about the makeup of families in Alberta and the rest of Canada. The findings show that households are becoming more diverse and that many kinds of...