March 23, 2023

Family Orders and Agreements Enforcement Assistance Regulations

In November 2023, legislative amendments to Part I of the Family Orders and Agreements Enforcement Assistance Act (the “Act”) are expected to come into force. The main goal of these amendments is to assist the courts and provincial entities with the determination of fair and accurate amounts of support in situations where a parent fails […]

March 2, 2023

Did You Know: You May Be Able To Claim Family...

Tax season is upon us once again. Did you know that you could qualify to claim certain legal fees on your taxes? Be sure to speak with your family lawyer about providing you with a letter if you qualify. This could be a huge benefit or a missed opportunity if you do not have a […]

This Month in Nova Scotia Family Law – September 2022

Our NS Family Law team provides summaries of recent cases which have appeared in the Nova Scotia Supreme Court and the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal. Here are the cases from September 2022.

Mind your business: Business Assets, Professional Corporations & Divorce

Business owners or the spouse of a business owner encounter unique considerations when facing a divorce. The Marital Property Act’s Treatment of Business Assets The New Brunswick Marital Property Act, RSNB 2012, c 107 [hereinafter the “Marital Property Act”] exempts business assets from division with a spouse upon the breakdown of a marriage. Business assets […]

This Month in NS Family Law – October 2021

Richardson v. Richardson, 2021 SCC 36 Justices Wagner C.J. and Moldaver, Karakatsanis, Côté, Brown, Rowe, Martin, Kasirer and Jamal Issues: Best interest of the child | Custody The parties have a 16-year-old daughter and a 10-year-old son. The dispute revolved around custody of the two children and whether it is in their best interests to […]

November 9, 2021

The Value of Domestic Contracts: Avoiding Costly Legal Disputes

It is no secret that family law disputes resolved using the court process come at great personal and financial expense. Being proactive with the use of domestic contracts ensures that both your family and business assets are better protected from costly legal disputes. What They Are Unfortunately, there is great stigma against pre-nuptial agreements because […]

This Month in NS Family Law – July 2021

S.S. v. J.G., 2021 NSSC 228 Honourable Justice Pamela A. Marche Issues: Shared custody v Primary Care | Best interest test | Retroactive child support | Voice of child report | s.7 Health Insurance Premiums | Child support At a variation application, the mother sought primary care and final decision making, and the father sought […]

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 […]

This Month in NS Family Law – May 2021

Our NS Family Law team provides summaries of the May cases which appeared in the Nova Scotia Supreme Court and the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal.