In Alberta, the term paralegal is used generally to describe a senior legal assistant who has proven, through education and experience, to be skilled and knowledgeable in the law and legal system.

As the cost of hiring a lawyer continues to rise, more and more Albertans are finding themselves in the difficult position of having to represent themselves in their family law actions.

When parents separate, there are a number of practical and logistical considerations that need to be addressed.

In British Columbia, both cohabitation agreements and pre-nuptial agreements (“Family Agreements”) are recognized and enforced by law.

When parents separate or divorce, one of the most significant issues they will face is how to divide their time with their child.

In family law matters involving children, the best interests of the child are paramount. However, determining what those interests are can be complicated and emotional - particularly when parents or other family members have conflicting interests.

Family violence is a serious issue that affects thousands of people in British Columbia. If you are experiencing abuse or harassment from a family member or intimate partner, you may be able to obtain a protection order through the court system.

Financial disclosure is the exchange of financial documents by both parties in a family law matter where the issues between the parties have to do with child support, spousal support, or property division.

Navigating the complex world of family law can be intimidating and overwhelming, especially for self-represented litigants who likely don’t have a legal background.

Going through a divorce can be a difficult and emotional process, but technology can help make things a bit easier.

If you are going through a separation or divorce and have a child with your ex-partner, child support must be addressed.

By Brittany Koenig, Paralegal Navigator, Calgary The legal process of a family law matter can be emotionally taxing for everyone involved and can often exacerbate pre-existing mental health issues.

Under Section 81 of the BC Family Law Act, all property that is "family property" is divided equally, as is "family debt", regardless of respective contribution or use.

After separation, one of the most common disputes in a family matter is how parenting time should be allocated. Parents often insist that they are entitled to equal parenting time, and that their “parental rights” should be respected and enforced.

The issue of travel may arise from time to time, and it is up to you and the other parent or guardian(s) to agree on what travel looks like with your kids.

Since the Family Law Act came into force, courts have been tasked with examining family violence more thoroughly.

Gaining in popularity, legal coaching is an unbundled legal service that allows you to hire a legal helper to do a specific job for you.

In any legal matter, your role as a self-represented litigant is to present information to a judge that will help prove or disprove the facts of your case.

There is not one way to define family violence, and family violence is not always obvious to observers (even those trained to look for it), as it can sometimes take the form of coercive control.

Financial statements, whether in British Columbia Provincial Court or Supreme Court, are considered important and required in certain family law matters where a party is seeking an order for child support, spousal support or property division. 

When you think of the emergency room at any major metropolitan hospital, the first thing that comes to mind is the sheer number of people who are standing around, waiting to be called upon and triaged by a nurse who will ultimately hear you out and then put you in another queue.

You’ve seen it dramatized in movies and TV shows, someone is ambushed, and a manila envelope is thrust upon them with the declaration “you’ve been served!”

When parties separate, there is usually some aspect of contention. What was once a unified decision-making process, now entails both parents bringing their own opinions to the table on what is best for the child.

If you are filing an application for child support at the Court of Queen’s Bench in either Edmonton or Calgary, you are required to book a meeting with a Dispute Resolution Officer (DRO) in Calgary or a Child Support Resolution (CSR) Officer in Edmonton, but what does that involve?