Learn the science behind competitive negotiations and develop techniques to respond to aggressive negotiation tactics and emotionally-charged circumstances. Explore offer-concession strategies and build a toolbox that you can use to overcome impediments to settlement. Consider approaches to lay the best groundwork for a successful negotiation, and learn how to apply these principles to the resolution of spousal support, parenting, and other family law disputes. These on-demand programs were originally presented as an in-person program on June 14, 2022. Total running time for each presentation ranges between 40 minutes to 1 hour, 33 minutes. Each presentation in this program is available for individual purchase.

This on-demand presentation offers tips on 4 main areas of challenges in negotiations: dynamics of working with a counterpart, what it takes to get people to change, how to deal with aggression from either party or opposing counsel, and strategies for breaking an impasse. This on-demand program was originally presented as an in-person session on June 14, 2022, as part of our Advanced Negotiation Techniques for Family Lawyers program. Total running time is 1 hour, 33 minutes.

Review tax deductions, benefits, amounts, and credits as they relate to family law, with particular focus on support and legal fee deductions, child care expenses, and the Tax Court’s new approach to the Amount for Eligible Dependent.  Although some tax concepts will be briefly reviewed, viewing Part 1 is recommended, especially for practitioners less familiar with these concepts. This on-demand program was originally broadcasted as a webinar on July 28, 2020. Total running time is 1 hour, 38 minutes.

Learn about basic tax concepts, how the Income Tax Act classifies different sources of income in order to identify when an asset should be discounted for tax, how to minimize taxes when structuring a transfer of land or business in your family property settlement, the difference between tax credits, benefits, deductions, and amounts, and how changing parenting arrangements during the pandemic could affect their calculation. This on-demand program was originally broadcasted as a webinar on July 21, 2020. Total running time is 1 hour, 28 minutes.

Prepared by leading family law practitioners, the Alberta Family Law Practice Manual guides you through a family law file from start to finish, whether the file proceeds through collaborative law, mediation, arbitration, or court. Highlights include comprehensive information on divorce, matrimonial property, child and spousal support, and trials.

This paper explores how Alberta courts have treated the law of evidence in family law matters. It examines general rules of admissibility, affidavits, exhibits. letters, wiretapping and recording, electronic evidence, evidence from other actions, hearsay, judicial notice, business records, credibility, privilege and confidentiality, lawyers as witnesses, children’s evidence, expert opinions, new evidence and fresh evidence, onuses, and publication and broadcast bans. It also considers evidence issues in the arbitration context. Lastly, the paper includes a helpful checklist and a disclosure and evidence handbook for legal support staff. This paper is part of a collection presented at LESA’s Alberta Family Law Institute: Survive, Strive, Thrive program in Calgary on November 28–November 29, 2024.

This paper addresses the challenging dynamics of working with a counterpart who has differing interests and emotions. It also examines 30 different challenges that lawyers may encounter while negotiating a settlement. This paper is part of a collection presented at LESA’s Advanced Negotiation Techniques for Family Lawyers program in Calgary on June 2, 2022 and in Edmonton on June 14, 2022.

This paper provides an introduction to property considerations in matrimonial matters for lawyers new to family law or their legal support staff. It reviews common types of property, including real property, vehicles, bank accounts and investment accounts, business assets, pensions, personal possessions, and debts. It also reviews some more unusual forms of property that may be encountered in matrimonial proceedings, and discusses exempted property. Tips for eliciting property-related information from clients are integrated throughout. This paper is part of a collection presented at LESA’s Effective Legal Support: Matrimonial Property program in Edmonton on March 5, 2019 and in Calgary on March 12, 2019.  

This paper provides general information for Alberta spouses who have separated or are considering separation. It is written for clients, but contains information also relevant to lawyers representing clients in a separation. Information is provided on parenting seminars, legal representation, and alternative dispute resolution. The paper also discusses the first steps for spouses to take upon separating, and provides tips for splitting property. This paper is part of a collection presented at LESA’s Advising Small & Family Businesses program in Edmonton on February 6, 2019 and in Calgary on February 13, 2019.  

This paper provides general information related to parenting disputes. It is written for clients, but contains information also relevant to lawyers representing clients in parenting disputes. It provides tips for how to speak to and create a stable environment for children. It also offers suggestions for dealing with the other parent. As well, it highlights evidentiary considerations if the dispute proceeds to court. This paper is part of a collection presented at LESA’s Advising Small & Family Businesses program in Edmonton on February 6, 2019 and in Calgary on February 13, 2019.  

This manual is designed to assist legal and accounting professionals in properly determining a person’s guideline income. The manual defines key terms encountered in guideline income calculations, and then outlines, in detail, steps and considerations involved in preparing guideline income calculations and reports. It includes a discussion of deductions and inclusions, imputing income, employee expenses, and dealing with businesses, among other things. The manual includes the following as appendices: summary of Alberta child support decisions dealing with amortization, depreciation, and capital cost allowance; business practice suggestions; sample instruction letter to an accounting expert; mandatory documentation checklist; and sample and fillable business expense disclosure worksheets. This paper is part of a collection presented at LESA’s Business Issues in Family Law Matters program in Calgary on January 17, 2018 and in Edmonton on January 24, 2018.

This paper is part of a collection presented at LESA’s Family Law: Chambers Advocacy and Practice Pointers program in Red Deer on April 21, 2017.