Divorce

  • Who Gets the Pet After a Divorce?

    ByShannon Gunn Emery Hours

    When you are separating or divorcing in Alberta, who keeps a pet can be as emotionally difficult as other key divorce decisions. You should look at legal ownership, the pet’s daily needs, who has been the primary caregiver, and who can offer the best living environment going forward. With clear communication, you and your former partner can create a plan for your pet’s well-being. For many families, pets are more than animals; they are beloved companions and important parts of daily life. Deciding who keeps a pet during a divorce or separation can feel just as emotional and stressful as other major family decisions. Even though Alberta law treats pets as property, the courts recognize that these decisions carry real emotional weight. Understanding your options…

  • Divorce: 4 Tips for a Smoother Holiday Season

    ByShannon Gunn Emery Hours

    When you are going through a separation or divorce, the holidays can feel overwhelming. You can make the season easier by keeping familiar traditions for your children, staying focused on their emotional well-being, taking care of yourself, and giving yourself permission not to solve every problem before the new year. The holiday season is supposed to be warm, joyful, and full of connection. But when you are going through a separation or divorce, this time of year can feel complicated and emotionally hard. Balancing new schedules, financial changes, and difficult conversations while trying to create a positive experience for your children can be a challenge. There are steps you can take to support yourself and your family through the holidays, especially under Alberta’s family law…

  • 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…

  • 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?…

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