Spousal Support / Alimony: What is it and How Do I Get it?
Spousal support is an amount of money paid by one spouse to support the other spouse after the separation. However, it is not payable in every relationship. This is a common misconception.
The family lawyers from Crossroads Law located in Vancouver BC and Calgary AB have a client centred approach to help you successfully navigate the family law system. Our experienced family and divorce lawyers author these blogs to provide you insight and to help you through this challenging time.
Don’t Have a Lawyer and Facing an Examination for Discovery: Here is What You Need to Know
Facing an examination for discovery or deposition in a family law case can be intimidating. The thought of sitting in a board room while an over zealous lawyer peppers you with questions and a stenographer looks on with cruel indifference can be the cause of many sleepless nights.
Manipulating Income to Reduce Child or Spousal Support
People hide or manipulate their income for all sorts of reasons. As long as taxes have been around there have been those seeking ways of hiding income. In family law this can be a common issue when calculating the amount of child support or spousal support payable after separation.
Can my Child Decide Which Parent They Want to Live With?
When parents are in the process of divorce or separation, sometimes children may express a desire to live with one parent over another. If this occurs in a family law case, the court may take a child’s wishes about parenting time into consideration.
Hearing the Views of a Child in Family Law
While it is generally best to prevent children from having to give evidence in court after separation and divorce, there must be a way to properly hear the voice of a child. Here are 8 ways to enter the evidence of a child in family court.
The Maintenance Enforcement Program: 7 Things You Should Know
If you have a child support or spousal support order and want to avoid having to deal with your former spouse, the Maintenance Enforcement Program (MEP) can be used to collect support from the paying spouse and distribute it to the recipient spouse.
Explaining the Prenup: What it is, and why Kanye told you to get one
Our founder, Marcus Sixta, was recently interviewed by the Daily Hive to explain to people the importance of creating a prenuptial agreement, not only when you are getting married, but also for couples who have lived together for two years.
Represent Yourself Better in Family Law with Legal Coaching
The cost of legal services has been driving many people to represent themselves in family court in increasing numbers. Legal coaching can provide a more affordable alternative for those who wish to represent themselves in court or fail to qualify for Legal Aid.
What Is Parenting Coordination?
Parenting Coordination is most helpful for parties who have reached a general parenting agreement, but who have ongoing communication issues that impede their ability to co-parent effectively after separation.
Why Choose Mediation in a Divorce?
Separation and divorce can create a situation where neither party wants to work with the other in order to resolve their family law issues. However, in our experience family law mediation is a much better way to resolve a family law case
Using Parenting Experts After Separation
Divorce and separation can be a stressful, and emotional time for everyone involved; particularly when there are children and the family is changing structurally, functionally and emotionally. From living arrangements, parenting time, and new partners.
A Special Kind of Restraining Order: Emergency Protection Orders (EPO)
An Emergency Protection Order (“EPO”) can be granted by a Alberta Provincial Court Judge or a Justice of the Peace on short notice. EPO Orders are put in place to deal with incidents of family violence. Family violence includes the following
How Can I Challenge a Prenuptial Agreement in BC?
Occasionally, after a separation, one spouse may be less than happy with an existing prenuptial agreement or cohabitation agreement. Maybe because it severely limits their spousal support or leaves them with little property. So, what are the steps needed in British Columbia to challenge a prenuptial agreement?
Spousal Support Basics
What is spousal support, and how will it affect my future? Spousal support, or what many people call alimony, is a payment from one spouse to the other to recognize the economic advantages and disadvantages arising from the relationship or its breakdown.
RRSP’s in Divorce and Separation: Don’t Forget the Taxes
When dividing matrimonial property in a separation or divorce one of the biggest questions that we get is, “How do my spouse and I divide our RRSP’s?” & Is it Better to Transfer RRSP’s or Keep Them, and Pay my Spouse Out of Other Assets?
Parenting After Separation Courses
Separation and divorce are confusing times for families, particularly when dealing with children. Luckily, there are resources that are provided to help people find information on how to properly navigate the process.
Pre-Nuptial Agreements: Who are they good for?
When people think about pre-nuptial agreements the idea often brings to mind wealthy celebrities entering into contracts because they know their marriage is not going to last. It is important to realize that these types of agreements are not just for the wealthy.
What documents do I need to provide my spouse after separation?
The exchange of information is critical in any family law case. Without the exchange of relevant information neither side in a legal action may know what their claim is, what their chance of success may be, or even if they have a case at all.
What’s Mine is Ours, Unless it Isn’t: Matrimonial Property
When a married couple decides to get a divorce, one of the major issues that must be settled is division of property. Division of matrimonial property is governed by the Matrimonial Property Act in Alberta and the Family Law Act in BC.
Don't Forget About Your Future Taxes When Dividing Matrimonial Property
The division of matrimonial assets upon divorce and separation is a very complex matter. While the law stipulates that matrimonial property is generally split 50/50, that may not make sense practically.