Family Lawyer in Calgary
Calgary Family Lawyer: Your Trusted Partner for Divorce, Parenting and Family Law Matters.
We know divorce is tough.
We work closely with our clients going through family law and divorce proceedings in Calgary, Alberta, providing support throughout every stage of what can be a challenging and emotionally taxing process.
With over 11 years of collective experience in handling complex divorce cases and family law matters, we are committed to being forthright and diligent in meeting your specific needs and achieving your desired outcomes, earning your trust along the way.
FAMILY LAW
GSD Family Law Services:
How We Can Assist
Choose our law firm for trusted and dedicated legal representation in family law matters.
Divorce
Parenting
Spousal Support
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FAMILY LAW
Explanation of Relevant Terms in Family Law
Contested/Uncontested Divorce
A contested divorce involves one party disagreeing on issues like parenting, requiring court resolution. An uncontested divorce is when all parties agree on all potential or real issues.
Parenting/Child Support
This is often a contentious issue in divorce. Resolution involves defining who a child is (typically age 18, depending on the law) and focusing on the child's best interests, which can be broad and involve statutory interpretation or international treaties (Canada is a signatory).
Child Protective Services (CPS)
Children sometimes need separation from family due to issues like abuse. CPS is a government agency that investigates these matters and collaborates with the police, handing over cases with findings of criminality for further investigation and prosecution.
Contact
Refers to the court's ability to issue directives authorizing or removing communication rights with a person, depending on the situation.
Guardianship
Issues of guardianship come into play when the court considers the parents not to be fit or proper persons to assume the role of parents. In such instances, the court would confer such parenting rights on another person.
Mediation/Arbitration
At any stage of a court proceeding, the parties can decide to settle a matter. Mediation and arbitration are two of the many alternative dispute resolution mechanisms available to the parties. It is important to keep in mind that they have different consequences. Mediation, on the one hand, is not binding and is simply an attempt by the parties to settle the matter. If it breaks down, the parties can always go back to court. Arbitration, on the other hand, is binding once the parties have committed to it. After the arbitrator gives a decision, it is usually binding on the parties unless certain issues, such as abuse of process, can be raised.
Paternity
Paternity may seem like a simple issue until it arises in a divorce or other circumstances that require a party to confirm whether they are the biological parent of a child.
Separation Agreement
Whether married or living in a common law relationship, once circumstances require the parties to live separately, a separation agreement may be needed. This helps define the rights and responsibilities of each party.
Prenuptial Agreement
This is one of the most common terms in family law due to the influence of the media. This kind of agreement defines the property rights of the parties before they enter into marriage and, more importantly, focuses on what property rights accrue to each of them in the event of separation or divorce.
Spousal support
Supporting a spouse is often contentious, and emotions can lead parties to act irrationally. A financially stronger party who feels wronged might use financial means as leverage or punishment, potentially withholding or moving funds out of the court's jurisdiction to prevent the dependent spouse from accessing them. In such situations, the court can issue directives to balance the financial equation. These are common contentious matters in family law.
Contact GSD Law Group if you have any family law issues, whether you are the plaintiff or the defendant. We are here to help.
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