Robertson Law
700, 1816 Crowchild Trail NW T2M 3Y7 Calgary, AB, Canada

Legal Aid Alberta has posted some good resource information on their web site for victims of domestic violence. The link is below. Jim Robertson - Robertson Law - Family Law https://www.legalaid.ab.ca//Supports%20for%20Victims%20of%

BC to require a written isolation plan of retuning international travelers. If the traveler is not able to provide such a plan or not sufficient plan, the traveler will be sent to a detention facility. A self-isolation plan is a legal commitment to self-isolation, enforceable under the Public Health Act (and the federal Quarantine Act by the RCMP if necessary.

Legal Aid Alberta continues to serve Albertans through Covid19, despite some other reports. The physical offices are closed for obvious reasons. Duty counsel remain in the courtrooms to serve Albertans on emergency basis; which includes Emergency Protection Orders in case of domestic violence, and child welfare matters. Robertson Law, remains available to serve you. Legal Aid applications by phone at... 1.866.845.3425 "Important Notice on COVID-19 Legal Aid Alberta remains committed to serving its clients through this unsettled period. Public health requirements as well as changes made by Alberta Courts have resulted in some changes to our procedures. Legal Aid physical offices are temporarily closed to the public until further notice. We are continuing to accept applications by phone for in-custody criminal matters, urgent out of custody criminal matters and urgent family or child-protection matters. If you wish to apply for legal aid, contact us at 1-866-845-3425 We continue to provide legal services, including Duty Counsel, at courthouses across the province." Comments by: James Robertson at Robertson Law - and I remain available to serve you.

Covid19 crisis has made the crisis of domestic violence even more behind closed doors. One of the Covid19 precautions is self isolation, that totally isolates someone from their friends, family and other resources to help get them out of that situation. Even access to a telephone is likely monitored. Even if you are able to get you and the children out of the home, is taking your children into an emergency shelter a desirable alternative? It has become even more difficult ...to leave a bad situation. If you are able to safely make and receive a phone, many of your local shelters have resource people to provide you with some guidance. Emergency applications, such as Protection Orders are still being granted by the Courts, or by a Justice of the Peace of the Court - where the police can make the application on your behalf. Covid19 has made already bad situations even worse. Comments by: Jim Robertson https://time.com/580/coronavirus-domestic-violence-victims/

Shared parenting or access arrangements during the Covid19 crisis will produce legitimate concerns. This is a time for talking, maybe through lawyers if necessary, to talk about: what risk is each parent at? Are they a health care worker or other first responder? who else will be in the home and what is their risk? what precautions are taken in each home? Is it a work from home, and stay at home situation? This discussion could be facilitated though your lawyers through a vid...eo conference. Or is it a situation where one parent is taking advantage of the ongoing situation to deny and frustrate time with the other parent? Maybe you will discover this after trying to discuss, but without any give from you ex. Sadly some will benefit in the short term to the detriment of the children. The police assistance clauses permit the police to assist and do not require them to assist. The police are not in a position to assess all the risk and will likey be of limited or no assistance. The courts are also currently shut down for most issues. It is possible that such a parent will be successful in the short term before you can retun to court. These cases will ultimately be judged on the individual circumstances and there is no quick answer here. You should consult your lawyer. Jim Robertson of Robertson Law https://www.cbc.ca//how-parents-share-custody-kids-covid-1

Covid19: I remain available and committed to assist you through these difficult and uncertain times as our community faces challenges from Covid19. I am adapting to ensure essential legal services to new and existing clients, while avoiding health risk to you, me and our community. I will be following the recommendation by Public Health agencies including physical distancing and self-isolation. The Courts have closed much of their usual functions, except for emergency and ur...gent matter. I will continue to appear in court for matters of domestic violence, matters with statutorily required court dates or otherwise considered urged. Many scheduled court appearances, trials/hearings have been adjourned and will return to court to arrange future steps in 10 weeks. I will continue to advance your matters as I am able under the circumstances. I am working from home, and will remain available to you by email and telephone appointments. I am working to set up a video conferencing system for virtual appointments. I will not be having physical meetings unless absolutely required. While these measures are not optimal, they provide risk reduction from the spread of Covid19, while continuing to provide you with my legal services. Thank you for your understanding as we move through these times. Please stay safe and help each other. Jim Robertson

As an Alberta lawyer and a Legal Aid roster lawyer, I'm proud that Legal Aid Alberta has staff lawyers and rosters lawyer in the courts to assist you. Lawyers are limited by the Covid19 protocols imposed by the courts; currently limited to emergency/urgent court matters! Comments by Jim Robertson

More addiction recovery beds are absolutely needed. Addictions are frequently a cause for family breakdown, and very often result in children being apprehended and taken into child protection services. Parents need these resources to help themselves out of the destructive pattern. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10157987734904509&id=82373174508

Alberta lawyers respond to Alberta Justice budget cuts, including a five million dollar cut to Legal Aid Alberta. There are already many people that don't qualify for Legal Aid, and can't afford a lawyer. This can have a huge impact on Alberta families. Legal Aid has recently made some changes that include the choice of counsel, meaning that you can request a lawyer from the lawyers that accept Legal Aid files. The good and the bad news! http://calgaryherald.com//alberta-justice-needs-to-consult

Family Violence is very high in Alberta. So far in 2020, a third of the murders in Calgary, have been domestic murders. Not all family violence escalates to murder, however is extremely damaging to all family members. There is a lot of science on the detrimental impact on children who are "exposed" to family violence, not the target of the violence. Many people suffer greatly at the hands of their partners, in a broad range of violent situations. How can a cycle of family vi...olence be ended? Hopefully partners will attend counseling/therapy together and the family can change the patterns. Frequently however stronger interventions are necessary. One intervention comes from an EPO - an Emergency Protection Order from the court. Isn't only a piece paper? It is a piece of paper, and the paper alone will not stop the violence. The EPO, good social supports and a safety plan need to work together, along with a police response where necessary. Legal Aid Alberta offers an excellent EPO program in both Calgary and Edmonton that assist in obtaining an EPO, and then provides duty lawyers, for the Claimant and the Respondent at the judicial review of the Order. I represent Claimants or Respondents at these reviews through Legal Legal Aid Alberta's program that is offered to Albertans free of charge, independent of what your income is. Although the review can be emotional, this is a time that skilled lawyers can help de-escalate the conflict and arrange for the children to be seen by both parents, if that can be done safely. The article below is about the Legal Aid Alberta EPO program. This is somewhere to start, if you are in family with domestic violence.

I am commited to help you through to the life you want; with over 34 years of experience: working mainly in the areas of - divorce, parenting and support, division of property - child welfare - and independenr representation of children.

The flawed autopsies were a strike against justice, but the action by Alberta Justice to not disclose the findings that the autopsies were flawed is terrifying. This independent investigation is critically important for any perception of justice in Alberta Courts.

Mediation - is a fast growing alternative to court and leaving the decision to a judge. You and your partner look for a solution that fits your family. Mediation allows your participation in the resolution of your divorce issues. Frequently mediation may be lawyer assisted for complex matters that may involve expert reports/assessments, which can be property division, child or spousal support, or what has been known as custody/access. Parents often have different views on wh...ere the children should live. For the sake of the children, it is important for parents to resolve this for the particular circumstances of their family and the uniqueness of each of their children, without escalating the conflict, and negatively impacting the children. Mediation can be a very appropriate means to deal with custody/parenting issues. As a trained mediator, I am prepared to guide you through a lawyer assisted mediation. Whether it is about children, support or property division, people often want to know how the mediated agreement can be enforced into the future. The terms of the mediated agreement can be incorporated into a Consent Order/Judgment or other ways of making a mediation or arbitration award binding on the parties. This article gives an important understanding of mediation. https://familyandestatelaw.ca/divorce-mediation-manage-cos/

Bill 17: Disclosure to Protect Against Domestic Violence (Clare's Law) Act allows people at risk of domestic violence to find out if their intimate partner has a violent or abusive past. It also allows police to proactively inform someone of their partner’s domestic violence history. Alberta has the third highest domestic violence rates among Canadian provinces. Half of all young women and girls who are victims of domestic violence homicide are murdered by someone with a prio...r conviction. The act is modelled after Clare’s Law in the United Kingdom, named after a young woman killed by an ex-boyfriend with a history of violence against women. This is a new tool to prevent domestic violence by helping people make informed choices about potentially harmful relationships. ROBERTSON LAW COMMENTS: Clare's Law is just one tool to help identify when you might be at risk. Often you already know that you and your children are at risk. Leaving a violent relationship can be terrifying and you may need help with protection from the courts, and social agencies. Court protection is helpful and best combined with a safety plan. Each situation is unique and so should your safety plan. Where will the pets go? People frequently don't leave a violent relationship because there is no safe place for the pet and fear that the pet will become the object of the rage. You may need an Emergency Protection Order, or an Order that gives you primary care of your children. The courts can help you, but a safety plan is an critical part of leaving. Separating from a violent partner can be a dangerous time. It requires strength and commitment to move to a life without abuse. If you need help to leave an abusive relationship, start planning now; with trusted friends/family (NOT someone that will reveal your plan, even if they think they are helpful), with your lawyer and a social agencies. This can be better than waiting for an emergency departure. If it has become an emergency, get to a shelter and get legal help. You will have resources through a shelter. Many shelters are often at capacity, so consider planning your departure. Part of that planning is to delete computer history of your searches; delete emails and phone history to/from your resources. I want to help you get safely through this time; to a better and safer chapter of your life.

To become an organ donor in Alberta, the province currently operates on an opt-in system where you need to actively declare yourself an organ donor. An amendment act has been presented which would switch the Alberta organ donor process to an opt-out system instead. This means that you would automatically become an organ donor unless you refuse.

"People testifying in Alberta courthouses now have the option of swearing oath on an eagle feather after formal ceremonies held Friday in Edmonton and Calgary. "I think it makes a difference because it symbolizes the spirit of reconciliation," said Catherine Fraser, Chief Justice of Alberta, at the Edmonton ceremony held at city hall. The practice was introduced in Lethbridge last year and in Wetaskiwin last month. After Friday, 122 eagle feathers will be distributed to all courthouses in the province."

Are you in a common law relationship in Alberta? Do you know that the law about division of your property changes on January 1, 2020? Do you have a Cohabitation Agreement? I can help.

High rates of household debt may give new life to the Undue Hardship application to vary from the mandatory section 3 child support orders. http://mainwoodlegal.com/deviating-from-the-federal-child-/

I posted previously about coming changes to the Matrimonial Property Act such that it will include unmarried couples in Adult Interdependent Relationships. Well that time is coming soon- people in Adult Interdependent Relationships, and the division of their property, will be presumed to be equal if they separate after December 31, 2019. Separate on January 1, 2020 and the division of property is presumed to be equal. There are still factors under section 8 of the Act for an unequal division. However those factors are considered to rebut what will now be a presumption. An unequal division then requires litigation through the Courts, or of course by agreement. https://www.linkedin.com//changes-law-coming-common-law-co