General Knowledge
Spousal Support Panel Discussion (On-Demand)
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Faculty
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In this panel discussion, each panelist discusses the top things they wish they had known early on in their family law practices about spousal support. A brief questions and answers period is included at the end of the panel discussion.
Please note there are no materials associated with this presentation.
This on-demand program was originally presented as an in-person program titled Family Law 25 on May 27, 2025. Total running time is 30 minutes.
Faculty
Chair
Sonja Lusignan, Calgary Family Law Associates
Presenters
Frank Friesacher KC, McCuaig Desrochers LLP
Chris Jackson, Jackson Law
Amanda Lindberg KC, Bruyer & Mackay LLP
Staci Tannahill-Smith, Calgary Family Law Associates
Crystal M. Thompson, TPW Family Law
06/2025
N/A
Alternative Dispute Resolution in Family Law (On-Demand)
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Faculty
About
Participation in alternative dispute resolution processes is now mandated by Alberta courts for family law matters. In light of such requirements, and increasing desires by parties to participate in ADR, it is imperative that family law lawyers understand their responsibilities and obligations. Explore the standard of care in collaborative processes, whether parties can be compelled into arbitration, whether counsel can exert pressure on clients to mediate or settle, whether agreements reached in mediation are binding, the standard of appeal for arbitration, and ethical obligations to screen for family violence.
This on-demand program was originally presented as an in-person program titled Family Law 25 on May 27, 2025. Total running time is 57 minutes.
Faculty
Chair
Sonja Lusignan, Calgary Family Law Associates
Presenter
Staci Tannahill-Smith, Calgary Family Law Associates
06/2025
N/A
Child Support: Answering Clients’ Questions (On-Demand)
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Faculty
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Modern child support laws are child-focused and evaluate parental obligations to financially support their children within their social context and in consideration of all the circumstances. This area of law is continually undergoing refinement, and its multitude of nuances can make the determination of child support challenging. Explore various concepts including retroactive child support, the DBS factors, adult children, and imputation of income.
This on-demand program was originally presented as an in-person program titled Family Law 25 on May 27, 2025. Total running time is 1 hour, 3 minutes.
Faculty
Chair
Sonja Lusignan, Calgary Family Law Associates
Presenter
Amanda Lindberg KC, Bruyer & Mackay LLP
06/2025
N/A
Top Five Family Property Cases (On-Demand)
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Faculty
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Through the lens of five key family property cases, explore the intersection of sections 7 and 8 of the Family Property Act. Topics addressed include the difference between section 7(3) and section 7(4) property, the presumption of equal sharing of section 7(4) property, section 7(3) property to be divided in a just and equitable manner, the section 8 factors, and dissipation.
This on-demand program was originally presented as an in-person program titled Family Law 25 on May 27, 2025. Total running time is 1 hour.
Faculty
Chair
Sonja Lusignan, Calgary Family Law Associates
Presenter
Crystal M. Thompson, TPW Family Law
06/2025
N/A
Five Recent Parenting Cases: What’s Changed, Why, and What We Want to Know (On-Demand)
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Faculty
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The legal test in parenting cases continues to be the best interests of the child test. However, recent legislative changes and jurisprudence have resulted in deviations from prior case law. Explore mobility applications, parental conduct and contempt of court, special chambers parenting applications, the interplay with An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis Children, Youth and Families, and interim parenting orders and credibility.
This on-demand program was originally presented as an in-person program titled Family Law 25 on May 27, 2025. Total running time is 1 hour.
Faculty
Chair
Sonja Lusignan, Calgary Family Law Associates
Presenter
Chris Jackson, Jackson Law
06/2025
N/A
Section 86 Share Exchanges: Tax Considerations for Lawyers (On-Demand)
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Faculty
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Understanding Section 86 share exchanges is crucial for lawyers advising clients on corporate reorganizations, estate freezes, and tax-efficient succession planning. Explore the practical knowledge to navigate the tax implications, avoid common pitfalls, and structure share exchanges effectively to confidently advise your clients.This on-demand program was originally broadcasted as a live webinar on May 21, 2025. Total running time is 1 hour.
Faculty
PresenterJustin M. Di Liello, Felesky Flynn LLP
05/2025
N/A
Digital Afterlife: Navigating Online Assets in Estate Planning (On-Demand)
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Faculty
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From cryptocurrencies to social media accounts, digital assets are becoming a crucial part of estate planning and it is important that wills and estates practitioners understand how to address them. Explore the landscape of access to digital assets, the gaps therein, and review some recommendations on how to best serve your clients.
This on-demand program was originally broadcasted as a live webinar on May 22, 2025. Total running time is 48 minutes.
Faculty
Presenter
Colleen Feehan, Feehan Law Office
05/2025
N/A
Effective Legal Support: Non-Contentious Estate Matters (On-Demand)
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Faculty
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Estate matters may be ‘non-contentious,’ but navigating them efficiently requires precision and expertise. This on-demand program equips legal support staff with the essential knowledge and practical skills to streamline estate administration and avoid common pitfalls, with topics including:
The role of legal support staff
An overview of surrogate forms for non-contentious matters
Key changes arising from the Surrogate Digital Service
This on-demand program was originally broadcasted as a live webinar on May 14, 2025. Total running time is 1 hour, 2 minutes.
Faculty
Presenters
Anna-May Choles, Rackel & Company LLP
Karen M. Rackel KC, Rackel & Company LLP
Robbi Bitner, Rackel & Company LLP
05/2025
N/A
Grandparents’ Rights in Alberta: Navigating Access and Custody Challenges (On-Demand)
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Faculty
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The rights of grandparents to have contact with their grandchildren is becoming an increasingly significant legal issue in Alberta. As family dynamics evolve and cases of estrangement, separation, or the death of parent become more common, questions around the legal standing of grandparents and their rights under the law have gained greater attention within the courts in Alberta. Explore the current legal framework governing grandparents’ contact rights, key case law developments, and the process by which grandparents can seek contact through the courts.
This on-demand program was originally broadcasted as a live webinar on May 13, 2025. Total running time is 47 minutes.
Faculty
Presenter
Ashley R. Wilson, Crossroads Law
05/2025
N/A
Costs in Family Law: To Claim or Not to Claim – That Is the Question (On-Demand)
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Faculty
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Should costs in family law matters be treated differently than in regular civil litigation matters? Explore the issue and review a roadmap of costs considerations on interim applications, at trial, and in arbitrations. Examine helpful tips when making cost submissions in family law matters.
This on-demand program was originally presented as an in-person program titled Costs on May 6, 2025. Total running time is 1 hour, 2 minutes.
Faculty
Chair
Hon. Robert A. Graesser KC, Vogel LLP | Retired Justice, Court of King’s Bench of Alberta
Presenter
Tina Huizinga KC, Tina Huizinga PC
05/2025
N/A
Double Down: Formal Offers and Calderbank Offers (On-Demand)
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Faculty
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Costs incentivize parties to settle and the risk or fear of costs can be used as part of a broader litigation strategy to encourage settlement early in the dispute process. Explore formal offers to settle and Calderbank offers and provide a comparison of the two options, along with factors to consider when deciding which to employ and when.
This on-demand program was originally presented as an in-person program titled Costs on May 6, 2025. Total running time is 46 minutes.
Faculty
Chair
Hon. Robert A. Graesser KC, Vogel LLP | Retired Justice, Court of King’s Bench of Alberta
Presenter
Edward (Ted) R. Feehan KC, Duncan Craig LLP
05/2025
N/A
Costs Alberta Style (On-Demand)
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Faculty
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Explore the law of costs in Alberta through the dual lenses of Schedule C of the Alberta Rules of Court and the post-McCallister case law. Topics covered include a discussion of costs generally, settlement using court process, lump sum costs, percentage indemnity, security for costs, and tips for litigators.
This on-demand program was originally presented as an in-person program titled Costs on May 6, 2025. Total running time is 1 hour, 13 minutes.
Faculty
Chair
Hon. Robert A. Graesser KC, Vogel LLP | Retired Justice, Court of King’s Bench of Alberta
Presenter
Hon. Robert A. Graesser KC, Vogel LLP | Retired Justice, Court of King’s Bench of Alberta
05/2025
N/A
