The Government of Canada - Family Justice Newsletter - Spring 2007
- Update from the Family, Children and Youth Section
- Provincial/Territorial Corner
- Public Legal Education and Information News
- Passport issues—Passports for children under 16 and considerations for separation agreements and court orders
- Provincial/Territorial Information
view / download pdf
Alberta's New Family Law Act
From the Government of Alberta's website:
"On October 1, 2005, Alberta’s new Family Law Act came into effect. The new Act is part of the Alberta Justice’s Family Law Strategy aimed at creating a simple, integrated and effective family law system that promotes the well-being of children and families. The new Act replaces the Domestic Relations Act, the Maintenance Orders Act, the Parentage and Maintenance Act, and parts of the Provincial Court Act and the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act. "
Alberta Child Support Guidelines
On May 1st, 2006, amendments to the Federal Child Support Guidelines and the Alberta Child Support Guidelines came into force.
View the amended Alberta guidelines PDF
The Department of Justice has a new publication for children between the ages of nine and twelve.
This booklet can help children learn about family law, and can also help them realize it’s normal for them to have an emotional response to their parents’ separation. Please note that this booklet does not address child support.
What happens next? Information for kids about separation and divorce
View / download pdf
Links
Alberta Government - Justice - Family law information & child support assistance
Alberta Courts - Family Justice Services section
Alberta Family Justice - Family Law Information Centres
Canadian Government - The Divorce Act
Canadian Government - Department of Justice -
Alberta Justice website has information answering some of your common questions
What is Alberta's Family Law Act?What are the main issues addressed by Alberta’s Family Law Act?
Why was the Alberta Family Law Act introduced?
How do I know if the Alberta Family Law Act impacts me?
What are parenting orders and contact orders under the Alberta Family Law Act?
How does the Alberta Family Law Act affect how much child support is paid or received?
Under the Alberta Family Law Act, what is meant by the "best interests of the child?
How does support for an adult child work under the Alberta Family Law Act ?
How does the Alberta Family Law Act address the needs of adult interdependent partners?
How will the courts establish parenting responsibilities under Alberta's Family Law Act?
How is grandparent contact dealt with under Alberta's Family Law Act?
Link to their website click here
Why doesn't the Alberta Justice website have these common questions? ( E.C.M.A.S. commentary )
Will a person who contravenes a court ordered Parenting Time Schedule be charged with child abduction under the Criminal Code of Canada section? Why don't they prosecute for disobeying court orders for parenting time?Why doesn't the Government of Alberta enforce court ordered "Parenting Time Schedules" using the same equal measures that they use to enforce child maintenance ( child support )? After all, it is the abuse of children and a form of child abduction.
Why isn't a parent prosecuted for the Criminal Code of Canada offence of "perjury" when he/she knowingly makes false allegations of abuse to win custody or to eliminate an ex-spouse from their life and that of their child(ren)?
Why does the Alberta Family Act refer to child support for an "adult child"? By definition, aren't adult offspring, adults? Do the rights of one adult supercede those of another adult? If the governments of Alberta or Canada believe that adult offspring should be entitled to adult education, they should make it a matter of public policy and fund all post secondary education and reasonable living costs which provides a good paying job as well as pay the retraining costs for support paying parents whose jobs are eliminated through no fault of the parents, whether it be a result of technological or economic change.
Why is a disabled parent living in poverty receiving $15,000 per year in income and who has been ordered to parent their child 30% of the overall time supposed to pay an ex-spouse earning $150,000.00, child support? The law doesn't provide for any consideration of the costs incurred by the disabled parent such as food and shelter for the children.