Collaborative Divorce

  • 7 Social Media Tips if You Are Going Through a Divorce

    ByShannon Gunn Emery Hours

    What you post on social media during a divorce or criminal case can seriously harm the outcome of your case.  Even posts that may seem harmless can be used as evidence against you. The safest approach is simple: do not post about your legal situation and assume that anything you share could be seen by a judge. If you are going through a divorce, a family law matter, or even a criminal case, your use of social media can directly impact your legal outcome. Many people underestimate the power of social media evidence. What you post, comment, or share can be used in court, sometimes in ways you did not expect. Here are seven tips regarding using social media when you are involved in a legal…

  • Substance Abuse Issues in a Divorce

    ByShannon Gunn Emery Hours

    When substance abuse becomes an issue during a divorce, Albertan families have tools and legal options to protect children while supporting recovery. Collaborative Divorce allows parents to create customized solutions like sobriety checks, counseling, and flexible parenting arrangements. Divorce, Children, and Substance Abuse Divorce is a stressful process. It becomes even more complicated when substance abuse is involved. The biggest concern is always the safety and well-being of children. Parents and lawyers must find ways to address substance use issues while keeping children at the centre of all decisions. The Impact of Substance Abuse on Parenting Substance misuse doesn’t just affect divorce negotiations; it can raise serious questions about parenting arrangements. A parent who struggles with addiction may not be able to provide a safe…

  • Prioritizing Children: Insights from the Collaborative Divorce Process

    ByShannon Gunn Emery Hours

    Keeping children’s needs front and centre is key in a divorce. Alberta’s Collaborative Divorce process helps parents to create child-focused solutions with the support of trained divorce professionals, reducing conflict and protecting family relationships. Divorce and Its Impact on Children In a divorce, emotions will run high.  It is natural for parents to focus on their own struggles. But children often carry the deepest burdens. Supporting them during this time should be every parent’s top priority. How Collaborative Divorce Puts Kids First Collaborative Divorce in Alberta offers a unique, family-focused approach. Unlike traditional court battles, the collaborative model includes trained divorce professionals called “neutrals.” These neutrals may be divorce coaches, child specialists, or financial experts who work alongside the parents and lawyers. Their role is…

  • Giving Alberta Parents the Tools They Need After Separation

    ByShannon Gunn Emery Hours

    In Alberta, divorcing parents with children must take the Parenting After Separation course. This program teaches parents how to reduce conflict, communicate better, and keep kids at the centre of parenting decisions during and after divorce. Why the Parenting After Separation Course Matters Children often feel the greatest impact in a divorce. To help families through this transition, Alberta requires divorcing parents with children to complete the Parenting After Separation (PAS) course. Far from being just another legal step, this course gives parents practical tools to manage conflict, co-parent effectively, and protect their children from unnecessary stress. The goal is simple: Children should feel loved and supported, even when their parents are no longer together. By focusing on your kids’ needs, parents can make the…

  • Collaborative Family Law – Spreading Virtually Like a Pandemic (But a Good One!)

    ByShannon Gunn Emery Hours

    Normally, when couples decide to end their relationship, there are a number of ways they can do it. If there is a high level of cooperation between the two, they may be able to work everything out themselves. If there is little to no agreement, they can go through mediation, arbitration, collaborative law or go to court. During the pandemic, however, we have seen one method stand out far from the rest – Collaborative Family Law. The courts keep shutting down and adjourning cases with the result that there is a growing backlog. Getting a Family Law special chambers date, depending on how much time is required, may take a year or more. Do you really want to wait that long to settle your affairs?…

  • Court Recognition of the Collaborative Law Process

    ByShannon Gunn Emery Hours

    On December 5, 2019, the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench issued an official announcement that Collaborative Law Processes will now officially qualify as an alternative dispute resolution service that the Courts will recognize as meeting their requirements. Among other things, the announcement stated, “A Collaborative Law Process is hereby designated a dispute resolution process for the purpose of Rule 4.16(1) and the Mandatory ADR Rules”. This is a historic moment in Alberta. The Court of Queen’s Bench’s announcement is further evidence of the shift that has been happening in legal culture within our province towards issues of divorce, parenting, separation, and similar matrimonial matters. Litigation should be the last step – not the first step – that couples take when trying to separate their lives…

  • Why Collaborative Family Law for Divorce?

    ByShannon Gunn Emery Hours

    By the time a couple has decided it is time for divorce, there has already been trauma in the relationship. Fractures in communication, respect and understanding are only some aspects of what may bring a couple to the point of deciding to end their relationship formally. Unfortunately, the preparations for divorce, more often than not, can exacerbate the issues that led to the rupture in the first place, making the process extremely uncomfortable. In addition, the length, cost and complexity of litigation in court can exhaust emotional and financial resources very quickly. Collaborative divorce in Edmonton offers a structured way of ensuring that the divorce process does not do further damage to the relationship. On the contrary, the goal is to ensure clients come out…

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Contact Gunn Law Group today to discuss your legal needs and explore your options. Our team of experienced lawyers is here to provide you with the guidance and representation you require.

Edmonton Office: (780) 488-4460
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After Hours: (780) 801-8095 (for people in custody or for urgent matters)

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