Custody, Support, and Resolution in Calgary Family Law

Parenting is never easy, but when it comes to parenting during and after divorce in Calgary, there are various resources and programs that can help. Chief among them is the mandatory Parenting After Separation (PAS) course, which is designed to help parents resolve disputes in a way that prioritizes their children's well-being throughout the divorce process.

A divorce lawyer can also be helpful in this regard. As legal professionals, they are well placed to guide you through the many decisions about your children’s well-being and about your and your spouse’s parental rights and responsibilities. Keep reading to learn more about these.

Custody & The Well-being of Your Child

Since the 2021 amendments to The Divorce Act, the terms “custody” and “access” have been replaced by terms like “parenting arrangements” and “parenting orders.” These terms focus on parental responsibilities rather than the possession of children. They also centre all discussion about child rearing after divorce around the “best interests of the child.”

A divorce lawyer can help you identify what these interests are and what they mean in terms of family law, living arrangements, and financial support post-divorce. The common considerations included in the discussion about a child’s best interests include their physical, emotional, psychological, and educational needs. The considerations also take into account any established family relationships and cultural practices and lifestyles.  

By identifying and discussing these issues with a divorce lawyer in the early stage of the divorce process, you will have the space and time to rationally consider your children’s needs before creating a divorce agreement.

This proactive approach can help minimize conflict and ensure that the parenting arrangements are tailored to your family's unique situation. It can also help avoid disputes between divorcing spouses, avoid mediation, and court. Furthermore, well thought-out parenting plan can set the foundation for stability for your children during the divorce process and after.

Child Support

Since financial security is certainly in the best interest of your child, a divorce lawyer can guide you through the intricacies of child support calculations and the Child Support Resolution (CSR) Program, if needed. A divorce lawyer can also help you understand your financial obligations and rights, assist in preparing the required financial disclosure, and advocate for your interests while ensuring that any support arrangement provides for your children’s needs and is fair to both parents. This approach helps create financial stability for your children post-divorce and clearly identifies the financial responsibilities of both parents.

Resolution

Despite your and your lawyer’s best efforts, you and your divorcing spouse may not reach a divorce agreement without mediation, collaborative law, or possibly even court. Working with a divorce lawyer Calgary through any dispute resolution can help keep the process focused on the law and the best interests of your children.

Find a Divorce Lawyer in Calgary

If you are looking for a knowledgeable and effective divorce lawyer to help you through the divorce process in Calgary, contact the team at First West Law. We offer personalized assistance tailored to your situation.