Recent Developments in Retroactive Child Support

The recent decisions in Michel v Graydon, 2020 SCC 24 and Colucci v Colucci, 2021 SCC 24 have changed how the courts address applications for retroactive child support and the rescission of child support arrears. The new approach to retroactive child support intertwines the principles of leading cases to create a simplified framework. The framework […]

This Month in NS Family Law – June 2021

Colucci v. Colucci, 2021 SCC 24 Martin J., Wagner C.J. and Abella, Moldaver, Karakatsanis, Côté, Brown, Rowe and Kasirer JJ. Concurring Issues: Retroactive child support | Rescinding child support arrears This Supreme Court of Canada decision created a new approach to retroactive child support and arrears. The parties had a nine-year marriage. The mother has […]

April 12, 2021

Significant Changes to the Divorce Act RSC 1985 c 3

Parliament passed Bill C-78, an Act to Amend the Divorce Act, which received Royal Assent on June 21, 2019 and came into force March 1, 2021, amending the Divorce Act RSC 1985 c 3 (hereinafter referred to as the “Act”). The amendments to the Divorce Act are substantial, the first significant updates to the Act […]

April 12, 2021

Family Law Mediation: why cut what you can untie?

The breakdown of a marriage or relationship can be an overwhelming and tense time for the family unit. It is a financial, emotional and legal crisis. A drawn out legal proceeding can come at a high financial and emotional cost and it can further damage an already strained relationship. While an aggressive legal strategy may […]

November 19, 2020

New Brunswick Court of Appeal Rules on Child Support Obligations...

The New Brunswick Court of Appeal’s decision in ASL v LSL, 2020 NBCA 15, reaffirmed the high standard on judges determining child support obligations for parents with equal amounts of parenting time. Background In ASL, the parties had a separation agreement, signed shortly after their separation, which provided the parents with roughly equal parenting time […]

November 9, 2020

Family Law and Taxes

The area of law where family and taxes cross paths can be difficult to navigate. This article will outline the most relevant income tax issues facing couples who are separating or people considering separation. Child Related Tax Issues The Canada Child Benefit This is a tax-free benefit paid to parents monthly, available to both separated […]

Dismissed Employee gets his $1 Million Bonus and we get...

Is an employee entitled to incentive compensation as part of their “reasonable notice” damages when terminated from employment? That is often the $1 million (or even $10,000) question. Background It is well established at common law that an employee who is terminated without cause is entitled to be provided with reasonable advance notice and, failing […]

March 25, 2020

Co-Parenting During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Across the country, the current COVID-19 pandemic means schools and daycares are closed and there are significant disruptions to employees and business owners.  At Cox & Palmer, we are working to ensure that we provide timely and responsive advice to our clients with custody and other family law issues.  Below we will answer some of […]

January 31, 2018

Case Commentary: Noel v. Butler, 2016 NBCA 49 – Implications...

The facts in Noel v. Butler, 2016 NBCA 49, [Noel] are not complicated. This was a fourteen year common law relationship spanning from approximately 1998 until 2012. Ms. Butler had been a teacher since 1985 and had pension with a commuted value of $909,286.51 as of the date of separation.

March 22, 2017
Tax

Supreme Court of Canada Confirms the Law on Rectification

The Supreme Court of Canada (“SCC”) confirmed the law on the equitable remedy of rectification in Canada (Attorney General) v. Fairmont Hotels Inc., 2016 SCC 56 (“Fairmont”).