In the first part of this article, I wrote about the research on children who refuse to visit a parent after separation and how children’s relationship with a parent can sometimes break down for reasons other than the interfering actions of the other parent. In the second part, I talked about the … [Read more...]
Parental Alienation – Part 2
In the previous part of this article, I talked about Richard Gardner’s concept of parental alienation syndrome, some of the controversy Gardner’s theory raised in the mental health community and the important contributions made by Joan Kelly and Janet Johnston when they distinguish cases of parental … [Read more...]
When Children Refuse to Visit: Alienation and Estrangement in Family Law Disputes
Separation is a difficult time for parents, even those who “consciously uncouple” like Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin. The emotional trauma of separation becomes significantly more challenging, however, when the legal consequences of separation steer parents toward conflict in court rather than … [Read more...]
Unilateral Relocations – Don’t Do It!
When a family is in conflict, it can be tempting for one parent to want to get away. This can be especially true in cases where a parent is struggling financially after a separation or, in cases of domestic violence, when leaving is part of a safety plan. However, a unilateral relocation with a … [Read more...]
Considering Jurisdiction in Interprovincial Custody Applications
Canadians are mobile and it is not uncommon for families to move between provinces. It is also not uncommon for parents to live in different provinces after a separation. So, if they need to go to court to settle a parenting dispute, which province should make this decision? This is a question of … [Read more...]
What, Why and Where: Untangling Jurisdiction in Family Law
It can be a real challenge to figure out which court to go to when a family law problem needs to be resolved by a judge. You may need to go to a court where you live, or a court somewhere else. If you are going to a court where you live, you’ll have to decide which of the three levels of court you … [Read more...]
Mother May I? Schools and Parenting Disputes
I had the pleasure of attending a lecture by Jim Davies, the general counsel for the Edmonton Public School Board. He gave a group of family law lawyers the educator’s perspective on parenting disputes.1 Today’s dynamic family configurations can be complicated – divorced biological parents, foster … [Read more...]