In this presentation, Dustin Tkachuk provides tips for navigating Provincial Court and the trial process. This on-demand program was originally presented as an in-person program in November 2016.

Family law trials a can be complex, from commencing an action, to the creation of a Trial Book, to the conduct of a trial, and more. Explore each step of the family law trial process, and deepen your confidence in your ability to run a family law trial. This on-demand program was originally presented as an in-person program in November 2016. Total running time is 5 hours, 30 minutes.

This presentation provides some background on the intersection of family violence and family law, particularly parenting issues, and your obligations to your client. It also highlights recent amendments to the Divorce Act that touch on family violence. This on-demand program was originally broadcasted as a webinar in January, 2021.

In the first few years of family law practice, lawyers can greatly benefit from both substantive law knowledge and practice management skills to assist them in effectively managing matters. In this on-demand program, experienced practitioners explore family property, child support, spousal support, family violence, and more. This on-demand program was originally broadcasted as a webinar in January, 2021. Total running time is 5 hours, 27 minutes.

With an emphasis on recent Alberta case law, this presentation explores issues of non-disclosure, imputing income in spousal support matters, and lack of evidence to support claims. It also considers courts’ use of the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines and the Revised User’s Guide. This on-demand program was originally presented as an in-person conference from May 4–7, 2023 as part of LESA's Refresher 2023: Family Law. Total running time is 57 minutes.

Topics from LESA's Refresher 2023: Family Law include: Child Support Update Cross-Examination and Questioning Dealing with Experts in Family Law Developments since the Divorce Act Amendments Early Intervention Case Conferences, JDRs, Pre-Trial Conferences, and Appeal Conferences Family Property Matters Imputing Income: An Update Since Peters v Atchooay Mediation & Arbitration Considerations Spousal Support Update Starting with the End in Mind – Managing Family Law Matters Summary Trials and Oral Hearing Orders: Resolving Matters without a Full Trial Written Advocacy These on-demand programs were originally presented as an in-person conference from May 4–7, 2023 as part of LESA’s Refresher 2023: Family Law.

Child support and spousal support are at the heart of many family law matters. Review key cases, consider the support guidelines, explore common pitfalls, and identify strategies to address those pitfalls. These on-demand programs were originally presented on April 4, 2024. The total running time for each presentation ranges between 35 minutes and 1 hour, 8 minutes.

Explore how to navigate parenting or divorce matters when Child and Family Services  (sometimes unexpectedly) becomes involved. These on-demand programs will help you to (1) navigate the initial involvement of CFS, (2) gather recent and past CFS information you may require in a parenting or variation application, and (3) represent a client filing a private guardianship application where the children are in the care of CFS. The total running time for each presentation ranges between 40 minutes and 1 hour, 5 minutes.

This panel discussion will canvass pertinent topics relating to initial custody hearings. Topics of discussion include: timelines of initial custody applications, what initial custody hearings are, and recent case law in the area of initial custody hearings. This on-demand program was originally presented on January 19, 2024 as part of our Child Protection Issues in Family Law Matters program.  Total running time is 1 hour.

Legal Professionals can be creatures of habit. This on-demand program begins by providing an overview of child and spousal support legislation before exploring several Child Support Guidelines short snappers that are intended to help break common habits that get in the way of good legal work. Topics include tips for calculating Guideline income, dealing with the section 7(3) childcare calculation trap, Schedule III adjustments, listing (or not listing) all section 7 expenses, issues arising from RESPs, split parenting calculations (s. 8), and shared parenting setoffs (s. 9). This on-demand program was originally presented on April 4, 2024 as part of a program titled Spousal & Child Support.  Total running time is 55 minutes.

This paper focuses on navigating family court and the Provincial Court process. Topics addressed include jurisdiction, process, advantages and disadvantages, and views from the bench. Review legislation, family law specifics, and costs. Learn about filing documents and general procedural issues, JDRs, trial dates, and the appeal process in Provincial Court. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of proceeding in Provincial Court. Finally, gain insight and advice regarding the trial process in Provincial Court from members of the judiciary. This paper is part of a collection presented at LESA’s Family Law Trial Fundamentals program in Calgary on November 17, 2016 and in Edmonton on November 22, 2016.

This paper provides some background on the intersection of family violence and family law, particularly parenting issues, and your obligations to your client. It also highlights recent amendments to the Divorce Act that touch on family violence.

This paper explores recent Canadian case law addressing spousal support issues, with a focus on Alberta jurisprudence. It also explores issues of non-disclosure, imputing income, lack of evidence to support claims, and courts’ use of the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines and the Revised User’s Guide. This paper is part of a collection presented at LESA's Refresher 2023: Family Law in Jasper from May 4–7, 2023.

When a child is apprehended, the Director (Child & Family Services) must return the child within two days or make an application for initial custody, as well as a supervision order, a temporary guardianship order, or a permanent guardianship order. This paper explores initial custody applications, including timelines and structure of the initial custody hearing , evidence, the legal test to be met, tips for counsel for the Director, tips for counsel for the parent/guardian, and next steps after the hearing. This paper is part of a collection presented at LESA’s Child Protection Issues in Family Law Matters program on January 19, 2024.