Jennings Family Law

08/28/2025

Navigating a High Net Worth Divorce and Property Division in Alberta

Let us take a look at why property division in high-net-worth divorces is often more complex and how legal representation can avert many of the issues associated with these types of divorces.

Jennings Family Law is an experienced Calgary family law firm that prides itself on educating, providing compassionate legal advice, and using litigation as a last resort while helping to resolve your family separation with dignity and respect. Jennings Family Law provides legal services for divorce...

08/28/2025

Joseph is a family law litigator with trial experience in high-stakes international child abduction and cross-border relocation matters.

Joseph’s practice is built on a dual approach to family law—prioritizing resolution whenever possible while being fully prepared to advocate in court when necessary. He does not litigate for the sake of litigating, instead approaching mediation and settlement discussions with a solutions-focused mindset. Although Joseph has a growing court-focused practice, he believes that a vast majority of family law cases can and should be settled outside of court.

https://jenningsfamilylaw.com/joseph-mercado/

07/23/2025

Is Child Support Based on Current or Past Year’s Income in Alberta?

The child support laws in Alberta can be complex as couples try to recalibrate their lives in the aftermath of a separation.

One of the main considerations with child support is each parent’s income. Some confusion exists with how this income is assessed in particular, whether the current or past year’s income is used in calculations.

It’s essential to understand your rights and obligations with child support, so let’s take a closer look at how support amounts are determined in Alberta.
https://jenningsfamilylaw.com/alberta-child-support-based-on-current-or-past-years-income/

Jennings Family Law is an experienced Calgary family law firm that prides itself on educating, providing compassionate legal advice, and using litigation as a last resort while helping to resolve your family separation with dignity and respect. Jennings Family Law provides legal services for divorce...

07/19/2025

Dos and Don’ts for Social Media during Separation

Here are five of the most important dos and don’ts when it comes to social media during a separation, whether you are in Alberta or elsewhere.

https://jenningsfamilylaw.com/5-dos-and-donts-for-social-media-during-separation/

Jennings Family Law is an experienced Calgary family law firm that prides itself on educating, providing compassionate legal advice, and using litigation as a last resort while helping to resolve your family separation with dignity and respect. Jennings Family Law provides legal services for divorce...

07/15/2025

When Do Child Support Payments End in Alberta?

Child support is the responsibility of parents in Alberta, but there is often confusion about how long payments must be made and when they end.

In many cases, payments can stop when the child reaches the age of majority (18 in Alberta) but child support laws take into account other factors besides the child’s age. The ability of the child to support themselves and the pursuit of post-secondary education are important considerations.

Child support payments may need to extend past the age of 18 if the child cannot provide for themselves or enrolls in post-secondary education.

Jennings Family Law is an experienced Calgary family law firm that prides itself on educating, providing compassionate legal advice, and using litigation as a last resort while helping to resolve your family separation with dignity and respect. Jennings Family Law provides legal services for divorce...

07/10/2024

What are the Different Types of Child Custody Arrangements in Alberta?

Child custody arrangements are one of the most important and challenging elements to manage during a divorce or separation in Alberta.

The best interests of the child are paramount when deciding how parents must make decisions for and share time with their children.

Alberta’s Family Law Act allows for several types of parenting arrangements for divorced or separated parents, depending on the family circumstances and relationships.

Parents are legally required to make a parenting plan that covers the key aspects of child custody, i.e., who makes decisions, how access is arranged, and when each parent spends time with the child.
https://jenningsfamilylaw.com/blog/2024/06/28/what-are-the-different-types-of-child-custody-arrangements-in-alberta/

07/08/2024

Child Support Guidelines for Alberta

After a couple with children separates or divorces in Alberta, child support is usually paid by one parent to the other so that the financial burden of raising the children is shared fairly.

The support is intended to contribute to the daily needs and care of a dependent child until it is no longer required—and this is a legal obligation of parents in Alberta.

Child support usually involves a fixed monthly amount (basic daily support) plus additional amounts for healthcare, education, and other extraordinary expenses.

Because of the complexities involved in child support, it helps to understand more about the federal and state child support guidelines as you plan your family’s future after separation.

https://jenningsfamilylaw.com/blog/2024/05/09/child-support-guide-following-separation-in-alberta/

04/25/2024

How Does Getting Remarried Affect Spousal Support Payments in Alberta?

Spousal support is a major element of many divorce cases in Alberta but recipients of support payments often meet new partners and/or remarry at some point afterward, changing their financial status.

A separation agreement or court order may state that one ex-spouse or adult interdependent partner must make spousal support payments to the other. This is to prevent financial hardship for one of the partners and aid the transition to a self-sufficient life after the relationship ends.

However, remarriage or “re-partnering” may reduce the underlying need for support. So, the question often arises about how the change in relationship status affects support payments. Are you still entitled to support after you remarry or do the payments automatically end?

Jennings Family Law is an experienced Calgary family law firm that prides itself on educating, providing compassionate legal advice, and using litigation as a last resort while helping to resolve your family separation with dignity and respect. Jennings Family Law provides legal services for divorce...

04/24/2024

I am pleased to welcome Zolani Ncube to our team at Jennings Family Law. As a family lawyer, Zolani thrives in her ability to build rapport easily, while offering her clients straight-forward solutions which are sound in law. Her practice involves the various categories of family law, including parenting, support, and property division. A self-proclaimed citizen of the world, she has been an active member of the Calgary volunteer community since making it her home in 2015. Welcome to the team, Zolani!

04/24/2024

Options for Resolving Custody Outside of Court in Alberta

When couples in Alberta divorce or separate with children, there is more than one way to resolve child custody matters apart from heading to court.

Litigation and courtroom trials may make interesting movies but the reality is that most parents in Alberta are able to settle parenting plans outside of court by discussion and negotiation or by using alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods.

Alternative dispute resolution strategies such as collaboration between lawyers, mediation, and arbitration provide professional guidance without the expense, delays, and stress of trials.

Jennings Family Law is an experienced Calgary family law firm that prides itself on educating, providing compassionate legal advice, and using litigation as a last resort while helping to resolve your family separation with dignity and respect. Jennings Family Law provides legal services for divorce...

03/19/2024

How Does Getting Remarried Affect Spousal Support Payments in Alberta?

Spousal support is a major element of many divorce cases in Alberta but recipients of support payments often meet new partners and/or remarry at some point afterward, changing their financial status.

A separation agreement or court order may state that one ex-spouse or adult interdependent partner must make spousal support payments to the other. This is to prevent financial hardship for one of the partners and aid the transition to a self-sufficient life after the relationship ends.

However, remarriage or “re-partnering” may reduce the underlying need for support. So, the question often arises about how the change in relationship status affects support payments. Are you still entitled to support after you remarry or do the payments automatically end?

Here’s what you need to know.

Jennings Family Law is an experienced Calgary family law firm that prides itself on educating, providing compassionate legal advice, and using litigation as a last resort while helping to resolve your family separation with dignity and respect. Jennings Family Law provides legal services for divorce...

03/19/2024

Understanding Parenting Plans and Custody Agreements in Alberta

Nobody plans on divorce when they marry but Alberta consistently ranks as one of the leading provinces in Canada for divorce rates.

Considering the needs of the children from the marriage and creating parenting plans and custody agreements are essential parts of the separation and divorce process. Protecting the rights of the children and clarifying the rights and responsibilities of both parents as they go their separate ways are paramount.

Skilled legal guidance from a family lawyer in Alberta can help you comprehensively cover all the main points in your parent plan or custody agreement.

Let us consider some of the basic requirements when creating these important documents.

Jennings Family Law is an experienced Calgary family law firm that prides itself on educating, providing compassionate legal advice, and using litigation as a last resort while helping to resolve your family separation with dignity and respect. Jennings Family Law provides legal services for divorce...