A question we are frequently asked is “how do I help my children handle our separation?” There is no singular answer to this. Every child is different, every household is different, and every parent is different; there are a lot of variables to consider.
Are grandparents entitled to spend time with their grandchildren?
Grandparents often play an important role in their grandchildren’s lives. In the majority of cases, time with the grandchildren is arranged directly with the parents without any problems. Sometimes, though, grandparents are either not allowed to spend time with the children or their time is restricted by the parents. These grandparents will come to us asking whether they can seek a court order allowing them time with their grandchildren.
Who gets the pets?
Pets are often viewed as members of the family. So what happens to these “fur babies” when a couple separates? Does one party get custody of the pet? Does the other have to pay support? [Read more…]
How is child support determined?
The amount of child support to be paid is based on the payor’s gross income and the number of children. The support amount is set out in a chart called the Child Support Guidelines. These Guidelines are available online and can be found on the Department of Justice website.
Family Law Consultations
Trevor Owen and Kara-Lynne Chapman will gladly meet with potential new clients to answer their questions regarding Family Law, to provide information on their options, and to discuss and plan the next steps to be taken. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your Family Law consultation:
Child support in shared/split custody arrangements
In some circumstances, children will be split between their parents’ homes. In other cases, the children do not reside primarily with one parent and, instead, spend roughly equal amounts of time with both parents. This article discusses how child support is determined in these Split Custody and Shared Custody arrangements. [Read more…]
Children’s Top 10 rules for parents to follow
Here are what we consider to be the Top 10 “rules” children wish their parents would follow upon deciding to separate: [Read more…]
Who gets custody of the children?
Many people come to us with a misunderstanding of what “custody” means. In the family law context, custody does not refer to who the children will live with. Custody actually refers to decision-making for the children. [Read more…]
Who will the children live with?
This is probably the most pressing question you will have once the decision to separate has been made. There are no hard and fast rules on this and what works for one family may not work for another. Your unique circumstances must be considered in determining the appropriate parenting schedule for your children. Research has shown that having a consistent, predictable schedule is important for the children to successfully transition to their new family dynamic. [Read more…]