Blog & Insights
Practical legal commentary from our family, mediation, and civil teams.
Curated insights from the lawyers and our mediator, Ms. Jana de Waal, at Stokes Law LLP — drawn from our family law, mediation, and civil practices.
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World Mental Health Day 2026: Building a Thriving Team at Stokes Law LLP
Trust, psychological safety, active listening and belonging — reflections from Stokes Law LLP on what it takes to build a thriving team.
Stokes Law LLPOctober 10, 2026Read article → - Family Law
Alberta Court of Appeal Clarifies When Enhanced Costs May Be Awarded in Family Law Appeals
Kantor v Kantor, 2023 ABCA 329: the Alberta Court of Appeal's guidance on when a successful party may recover enhanced costs in a family law appeal.
Thais MenezesAugust 27, 2026Read article → - Family Law
Family Law and the Winter Holidays: Parenting Schedules, Travel and Passports
Holiday parenting time, international travel consent letters, and passport exchanges — a practical guide for separated Calgary parents planning around the 2026–2027 Calgary Board of Education winter break.
Adam Bukacel (Student-at-Law)August 17, 2026Read article → - Family Law
New Supreme Court of Canada Decision Creates a New Tort for Intimate Partner Violence
In Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia, 2026 SCC 16, the Supreme Court of Canada recognized a new tort of intimate partner violence — what it means for survivors of coercive control.
Jennifer MillerAugust 3, 2026Read article → - Family Law
Should the Family Home Be Sold During a Divorce?
Burns v Burns, 2023 ABKB 174: when an Alberta court will order the sale of the family home before divorce or property division is finalized.
Jennifer MillerAugust 3, 2026Read article → - Family Law
What Stoney v. Easton Means for Anyone with a Separation Agreement
Stoney v Easton, 2025 ABCA 130: when Alberta courts may order interim spousal support despite a disputed waiver in a separation agreement.
Thais MenezesJuly 30, 2026Read article → - Family Law
When Is a Mediated Family Law Settlement Binding?
Wilkinson v Pettis, 2026 ABKB 122: how an Alberta court enforced terms reached at family mediation even without a signed separation agreement.
Austin FergusonJuly 22, 2026Read article → - Family Law
Can I Shear the Sheep? Dissipation of Family Property under Cox v Cox and Dobrovolsky v Dobrovolsky
Not every drop in asset value is dissipation. Cox v Cox and Dobrovolsky v Dobrovolsky set out when spending, depletion, or sale of family property after separation crosses the line — and how Alberta courts assess intent, detriment, and reasonableness.
Adam Bukacel (Student-at-Law)July 22, 2026Read article → - Family Law
Past Conduct and Parenting: JDL v HAL
JDL v HAL, 2022 ABQB 427: why Alberta courts focus on children's best interests today rather than a parent's past mistakes alone.
Misturah (Misty) OshodiJuly 11, 2026Read article → - Family Law
Why Is Cheating Rarely Used for Divorce? The Surprisingly Difficult Task of Proving Adultery
The three grounds for divorce under the Divorce Act, and why Alberta practitioners usually rely on one-year separation instead of adultery or cruelty.
Adam Bukacel (Student-at-Law)July 10, 2026Read article → - Family Law
Alberta's New Family Law Procedure: How the Family Focused Protocol Is Impacting Clients
How Alberta's 2026 Family Focused Protocol aims to reduce conflict, streamline family matters and encourage alternative resolution.
Adam Bukacel (Student-at-Law)July 10, 2026Read article → - Family Law
Who Gets the Pet After Separation? Alberta Confirms It's Not About the “Best Interests of the Cat” — Singh v Smith
In Singh v Smith, 2025 ABKB 715, the Alberta Court of King's Bench confirmed that pets remain property after separation. Courts focus on ownership, contributions, and care — not a best-interests analysis borrowed from parenting law.
Stokes Law LLPJune 15, 2026Read article → - Civil Law
Can I Sue Someone for Sharing Intimate Images Without My Consent? Grummett v Warholik — $92,500 in Damages
In Grummett v Warholik, 2023 ABKB 208, the Alberta Court of King's Bench awarded $92,500 in damages after a former partner posted intimate images online. The decision is a clear roadmap on civil remedies for the non-consensual disclosure of intimate images.
Jennifer MillerMay 28, 2026Read article → - Family Law
Can Children Have Counsel? Independent Counsel for Children in DCE v DE, 2021 ABQB 909
The best interests of the child apply not only to parenting but also to legal representation. DCE v DE builds on Puszczak to set out a clear framework for when Alberta courts will appoint independent counsel for a child in a family law dispute.
Adam Bukacel (Student-at-Law)May 14, 2026Read article → - Family Law
When Can You Question a Third Party? Bilous v Bilous, 2026 ABCA 67
Bilous v Bilous clarifies Rule 5.18 of the Alberta Rules of Court — a narrow exception allowing questioning of a third party in family financial disputes. The Court of Appeal reminds us that disclosure, not questioning, is usually the right tool.
Adam Bukacel (Student-at-Law)May 14, 2026Read article → - Family Law
Supreme Court of Canada Recognizes New Tort of Intimate Partner Violence: Ahluwalia v Ahluwalia
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of Canada recognized a new tort of Intimate Partner Violence, giving survivors of coercive and controlling abuse a distinct civil remedy beyond assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Misturah (Misty) OshodiMay 1, 2026Read article → - Family Law
Occupation Rent in Family Law: Can You Charge Your Former Spouse Rent?
If your former spouse stayed in the family home after separation, can you charge them rent? In Alberta, occupation rent is discretionary — not automatic.
Misturah (Misty) Oshodi2025Read article → - Family Law
Family Violence Allegations in Alberta Parenting Disputes
How Alberta courts consider family violence allegations within the best-interests-of-the-child analysis in parenting disputes.
Bawan Kaur2025Read article → - Family Law
When Is an "Urgent Application" Actually Urgent?
Not every serious family-law problem qualifies for urgent court intervention. What "urgent" means in Alberta family law.
Stokes Law LLP2025Read article → - Family Law
Protecting Family Assets: Preservation Orders and Mareva Injunctions
What Alberta courts can do when there is a genuine risk that family assets will be hidden, transferred, or dissipated before division.
Stokes Law LLP2025Read article → - Family Law
Understanding Corporate Financial Disclosure During Separation
When a spouse earns income through a corporation, a personal tax return may only tell part of the story. Corporate disclosure obligations in Alberta support claims.
Stokes Law LLP2025Read article → - Family Law
Understanding Income Imputation and When Potential Earnings Matter
Courts are not always limited to the income on a tax return. When Alberta courts may impute income for child and spousal support.
Stokes Law LLP2025Read article → - Family Law
Income Imputation in Alberta: The Peters v Atchooay Test
Peters v Atchooay, 2022 ABCA 347 changed how Alberta courts impute income — bad faith is no longer the focus.
Stokes Law LLP2025Read article → - Family Law
Understanding Separation in Alberta
Separation and divorce are not the same thing — and you can be separated while living under the same roof. What separation means in Alberta.
Stokes Law LLP2025Read article → - Family Law
Surrogacy for Same-Sex Parents in Alberta
Federal surrogacy rules, Alberta parentage law, and planning considerations for same-sex intended parents.
Stokes Law LLP2025Read article → - Family Law
Is My Spouse Entitled to My Pension After Separation?
How pensions are divided after separation in Alberta — defined contribution vs. defined benefit plans, and why timing matters.
Stokes Law LLP2025Read article → - Family Law
Understanding Capacity to Make a Will
Signing a Will is not enough by itself. What testamentary capacity means and why it matters in Alberta estate planning.
Stokes Law LLP2025Read article → - Family Law
Charitable Giving Through Your Will
A Will can leave a legacy. Practical considerations for Alberta residents incorporating charitable gifts into an estate plan.
Stokes Law LLP2025Read article → - Mediation
Designing Trauma-Informed Mediation Processes for Family Violence Cases
Mediation involving family violence cannot be approached like an ordinary dispute. How mediation can be structured to be safe and meaningful.
Stokes Law LLP2025Read article → - Family Law
We Signed an Agreement — Now What? Lessons from Miglin and Anderson
Will a court enforce your separation agreement years later? What Miglin v Miglin and Anderson v Anderson tell separating couples.
Stokes Law LLP2025Read article → - Family Law
What Is Undue Hardship in Alberta Child Support Claims?
When paying Guideline child support would cause severe financial difficulty, a parent may ask the court to consider undue hardship. Here is how the claim works in Alberta.
Stokes Law LLP2025Read article → - Family Law
Gone with the Windfall: When Spending Sprees Come Back to Haunt You in Divorce
When one spouse or partner misspends family assets before or after separation, Alberta courts may take that dissipation into account when dividing property.
Stokes Law LLP2025Read article → - Family Law
Navigating Cybersecurity Issues During Divorce: Tips for Protecting Your Digital Life
Practical steps to protect your passwords, devices, accounts and communications while you go through a separation or divorce.
Stokes Law LLP2025Read article → - Family Law
What You Need to Know About Dividing Crypto Assets in a Divorce
Cryptocurrency is divided like other family property, but its digital nature creates special risks when it comes to disclosure, valuation and division.
Stokes Law LLP2025Read article → - Family Law
Understanding LGBTQ+ Family Law in Alberta: Key Considerations
An overview of how Alberta family law recognizes and protects LGBTQ+ couples and families, from marriage and partnerships to parenting.
Stokes Law LLP2025Read article → - Family Law
Understanding Property Division for Adult Interdependent Partners in Alberta
How Alberta's property division rules apply to adult interdependent partners who separate without having married.
Stokes Law LLP2025Read article → - Family Law
Grandparent Rights in Alberta: Applying for a Contact Order
When can a grandparent apply for a Contact Order in Alberta, and what must they prove? A look at the Family Law Act test and recent cases.
Stokes Law LLP2025Read article → - Family Law
When to Update Your Will in Alberta: A Comprehensive Guide
A will is not a one-time task. These life changes are common reasons to review and update your will in Alberta.
Stokes Law LLP2025Read article → - Family Law
What Happens If You Die Without a Will in Alberta?
When someone dies without a will in Alberta, they are considered to have died intestate. Here is what that means for their estate and loved ones.
Stokes Law LLP2025Read article →
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