Chapter 3: Family Law
Additional Recommended Readings
Brownstone, H. 2009. Tug of War: A Judge’s Verdict on Separation, Custody Battles, and the Bitter Realities of Family Court. Toronto: ECW Press.
Justice Harvey Brownstone is an active judge in the Greater Toronto Area. He offers his experience as a judge dealing with separation and divorce cases, providing a rare and fascinating look inside the courtroom from an active judge’s perspective.
Hetherington, E. M. and J. Kelly. 2002. For better or for worse: Divorce reconsidered. New York: W.W. Norton and Company.
This longitudinal study of over 14,000 families and 2,500 children over three decades provides one of the most comprehensive overviews of the various pathways after separation and divorce and provides a primer for the range of experiences of families and children after divorce.
Kuehnle, K. and L. Drozd. 2012. Parenting Plan Evaluations: Applied Research for the Family Court. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
This edited volume includes chapters from prominent scholars in the field of family law. Each chapter contains a table of studies that make up the review, and each review, in turn, examines the strengths and limitations of the body of evidence in the selected area.
Sullivan, M.J. 2008. “Co-parenting and the parenting coordination process.” Journal of Child Custody, 5(1), 4–24.
This article is a must-read for those who consider the role of parent coordination as an alternative to continued litigation. The author highlights the roles and functions of parenting coordination that can be uniquely provided to families to help them disengage from conflict.
Relevant Legislation
Federal and Constitutional: http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en
- Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Part I of the Constitution Act, 1982, being Schedule B to the Canada Act 1982 (UK), 1982, c. 11 http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/const/page-15.html
- Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46 http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-46/
- Divorce Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 3 http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/d-3.4/
- Family Orders and Agreements Enforcement Assistance Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 4 (2nd Supp.) http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/f-1.4/index.html
- First Nations Land Management Act, S.C. 1999, c. 24 http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/F-11.8/
- Hague Convention on Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction http://www.hcch.net/index_en.php?act=conventions.text&cid=24
- Indian Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. I-5 http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/i-5/
Alberta: www.qp.alberta.ca/laws_online.cfm
- Family Law Act, S.A. 2003, c. F-4.5 http://www.qp.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?page=f04p5.cfm&leg_type=Acts&isbncln=9780779784561
- Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act, S.A. 2002, c. I-3.5 http://www.qp.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?page=I03P5.cfm&leg_type=Acts&isbncln=9780779773824
- Maintenance Enforcement Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. M-1 http://www.qp.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?page=M01.cfm&leg_type=Acts&isbncln=9780779781652
- Marriage Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. M-5 http://www.qp.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?page=M05.cfm&leg_type=Acts&isbncln=9780779780372
- Provincial Court Act, R.S.A. 2000, P-31 http://www.qp.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?page=P31.cfm&leg_type=Acts&isbncln=9780779783786
- Alberta Evidence Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. A-18 http://www.qp.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?page=A18.cfm&leg_type=Acts&isbncln=9780779785087
British Columbia: www.bclaws.ca
- Family Maintenance Enforcement Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 127 http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96127_01
- Family Law Act, S.B.C. 2011, c. 25, s. 259, S.A. 2002, c. I-3.5 http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/11025_00
- Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act, S.B.C. 2002, c. 29 http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/02029_01
- Marriage Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 282 http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96282_01
Manitoba: web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/index.php
- Child Custody Enforcement Act, C.C.S.M. c. C. 360 http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/c360e.php
- Manitoba Evidence Act, C.C.S.M. c. E-150 http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/e150e.php
- Family Maintenance Act, C.C.S.M. c. F20 http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/f020e.php
- Family Property Act, C.C.S.M. c. F25 http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/f025e.php
- Inter-jurisdictional Support Orders Act, C.C.S.M. c. I60 http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/i060e.php
- Marriage Act, C.C.S.M. c. M50 http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/m050e.php
New Brunswick: www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/attorney_general/acts_regulations.html
- Family Services Act, S.N.B. 1980, c. F-2.2 http://laws.gnb.ca/en/showfulldoc/cs/F-2.2//20150801
- Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act, S.N.B. 2002, c. I-12.05 http://laws.gnb.ca/en/showfulldoc/cs/I-12.05//20150801
- Marriage Act, R.S.N.B. 2011, c. 188 http://laws.gnb.ca/en/showfulldoc/cs/2011-c.188//20150801
Newfoundland and Labrador: www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation
- Children’s Law Act, R.S.N.L. 1990, c. C-13 http://www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/statutes/c13.htm
- Family Law Act, R.S.N.L. 1990, c. F-2 http://www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/statutes/f02.htm
- Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act, S.N.L. 2002, c. I-19.2 http://www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/statutes/i19-2.htm
- Marriage Act, S.N.L. 2009, c. M-1.02 http://www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/statutes/m01-02.htm
- Support Orders Enforcement Act, 2006, S.N.L. 2006, c. S-31.1 http://www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/statutes/s31-1.htm
- Evidence Act, R.S.N.L. 1990, c. E-16 http://www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/statutes/e16.htm
Nova Scotia: nslegislature.ca/legc/
- Matrimonial Property Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 275
- Maintenance Enforcement Act, S.N.S. 1994-95, c. 6
- Reciprocal Enforcement of Custody Orders Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 387
- Solemnization of Marriage Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 436
- Maintenance and Custody Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 160, s. 1; 2000, c. 29, s. 2
- Evidence Act (Nova Scotia), R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 154
Ontariowww.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation
- Children’s Law Reform Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C-12 http://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90c12
- Family Law Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.3 http://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90f03
- Family Responsibility and Support Arrears Enforcement Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 31 http://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/96f31
- Marriage Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M-3 http://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90m03
- Evidence Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E-23 http://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90e23
Prince Edward Island: www.gov.pe.ca/law/statutes
- Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, R.S.P.E.I. 1988, c. C-33 http://www.gov.pe.ca/law/statutes/pdf/c-33.pdf
- Evidence Act, R.S.P.E.I. 1988, c. E-11 http://www.gov.pe.ca/law/statutes/pdf/e-11.pdf
- Family Law Act, R.S.P.E.I. 1988, c. F-2.1 http://www.gov.pe.ca/law/statutes/pdf/f-02_1.pdf
- Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act, R.S.P.E.I. 1988, c. I-4.2 http://www.gov.pe.ca/law/statutes/pdf/i-04_2.pdf
- Maintenance Enforcement Act, R.S.P.E.I. 1998, c. M-1 http://www.gov.pe.ca/law/statutes/pdf/m-01.pdf
- Marriage Act, R.S.P.E.I. 1988, c. M-3 http://www.gov.pe.ca/law/statutes/pdf/m-03.pdf
Quebec: www3.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/loisreglements.en.html
- Act to Facilitate the Payment of Support, C.Q.L.R. c. P-2.2 http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=%2F%2FP_2_2%2FP2_2_A.htm
- Rules respecting the solemnization of civil marriages and civil unions, C.Q.L.R. c. C.C.Q, r. 3 http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=%2F%2FCCQ%2FCCQR3_A.htm
- Civil Code of Québec, L.R.Q., c. C-1991, c. 64, Art. 118 (C.C.Q.) http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=%2F%2FCCQ_1991%2FCCQ1991_A.htm
- Civil Code of Québec, L.R.Q., c. C-1991, c. 64, Art. 585 (C.C.Q.) http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=%2F%2FCCQ_1991%2FCCQ1991_A.htm
- Civil Code of Québec, L.R.Q., c. C-1991, c. 64, Art. 605 (C.C.Q.) http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=%2F%2FCCQ_1991%2FCCQ1991_A.htm
- Civil Code of Québec, L.R.Q., c. C-1991, c. 64, s. 414 (C.C.Q.) http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=%2F%2FCCQ_1991%2FCCQ1991_A.htm
- An Act Respecting Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders, C.Q.L.R. c. E-19 http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=%2F%2FE_19%2FE19_A.htm
- Regulation respecting the collection of support, C.Q.L.R. c. P-2.2, r. 1 http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=%2F%2FP_2_2%2FP2_2R1_A.htm
Saskatchewan: www.qp.gov.sk.ca
- The Children’s Law Act, 1997, S.S. 1997, c. C-8.2 of the Statutes of Saskatchewan, 1997 (effective March 1, 1998) as amended by the Statutes of Saskatchewan, 2001, c. 34; 2004, c. 66; 2006, c. 31; 2009, c. V-7.21 and 6; and 2012, c. 24 http://www.qp.gov.sk.ca/documents/English/Statutes/Statutes/C8-2.pdf
- Family Maintenance Act, 1997, S.S. 1997, c. F-6.2 of the Statutes of Saskatchewan, 1997 (effective March 1, 1998) as amended by the Statutes of Saskatchewan, 2001, c. 51; 2002, c. I-10.03 and 5; 2004, c. 16 and 66; 2006, c. 31; and 2012, c. 24 http://www.qp.gov.sk.ca/documents/English/Statutes/Statutes/F6-2.pdf
- The Family Property Act, S.S. 1997, c. F-6.3 of the Statutes of Saskatchewan, 1997 (effective March 1, 1998) as amended by the Statutes of Saskatchewan, 1998, c. 48; 2000, c. 70; 2001, c. 34 and 51; 2010, c.10; and 2012, c. 24 http://www.qp.gov.sk.ca/documents/english/statutes/statutes/F6-3.PDF
- Inter-jurisdictional Support Orders Act, S.S. 2002, c. I-10.03 of the Statutes of Saskatchewan, 2002 (effective January 31, 2003), as amended by the Statutes of Saskatchewan, 2012, c. 18 http://www.qp.gov.sk.ca/documents/english/Statutes/Statutes/i10-03.pdf
- Marriage Act, 1995, c. M-4.1 of the Statutes of Saskatchewan, 1995 (effective February 21, 1997) as amended by the Statutes of Saskatchewan, 2004, c. 66; and 2009, c. V-7.21 and c. 4 http://www.qp.gov.sk.ca/documents/English/Statutes/Statutes/M4-1.pdf
Northwest Territories: www.justice.gov.nt.ca/legislation/search
- Evidence Act (Northwest Territories) https://www.justice.gov.nt.ca/en/files/legislation/evidence/evidence.a.pdf
- Family Law Act, S.N.W.T. 1997, c. 18 https://www.justice.gov.nt.ca/en/files/legislation/family-law/family-law.a.pdf?t1438459530174
- Children’s Law Act, S.N.W.T. 1997, c. 14 https://www.justice.gov.nt.ca/en/files/legislation/childrens-law/childrens-law.a.pdf
- Maintenance Orders Enforcement Act, R.S.N.W.T. 1988, c. M-2 https://www.justice.gov.nt.ca/en/files/legislation/maintenance-orders-enforcement/maintenance-orders-enforcement.a.pdf
- Marriage Act, R.S.N.W.T. 1988, c. M-4 https://www.justice.gov.nt.ca/en/files/legislation/marriage/marriage.a.pdf
Nunavut: www.justice.gov.nu.ca
- Evidence Act (Nunavut), R.S.N.W.T. (Nu.) 1988, c. E-8; http://www.justice.gov.nu.ca/apps/authoring/dspPage.aspx?page=CURRENT+CONSOLIDATIONS+OF+ACTS+AND+REGULATIONS&letter=E
- Family Law Act, S.N.W.T. (Nu.) 1997, c. 18 http://www.justice.gov.nu.ca/apps/authoring/dspPage.aspx?page=CURRENT+CONSOLIDATIONS+OF+ACTS+AND+REGULATIONS&letter=F
- Children’s Law Act, S.N.W.T. (Nu.) 1997, c.14 http://www.justice.gov.nu.ca/apps/authoring/dspPage.aspx?page=CURRENT+CONSOLIDATIONS+OF+ACTS+AND+REGULATIONS&letter=C
- Family Support Orders Enforcement Act, SNu. 2012, c. 16 http://www.justice.gov.nu.ca/apps/authoring/dspPage.aspx?page=CURRENT+CONSOLIDATIONS+OF+ACTS+AND+REGULATIONS&letter=F
- Marriage Act, R.S.N.W.T. (Nu.) 1988, c. M-4 http://www.justice.gov.nu.ca/apps/authoring/dspPage.aspx?page=CURRENT+CONSOLIDATIONS+OF+ACTS+AND+REGULATIONS&letter=M
Yukon Territory: www.gov.yk.ca/legislation/
- Child and Family Services Act, R.S.Y. 2002, c. 31 http://www.gov.yk.ca/legislation/acts/chfase.pdf
- Family Property and Support Act, R.S.Y. 2002, c. 83 http://www.gov.yk.ca/legislation/acts/faprsu_c.pdf
- Maintenance Enforcement Act, R.S.Y. 2002, c. 145 http://www.gov.yk.ca/legislation/acts/maen_c.pdf
- Marriage Act, R.S.Y. 2002, c. 146 http://www.gov.yk.ca/legislation/acts/marriage_c.pdf
- Evidence Act, R.S.Y. 2002, c. 78 http://www.gov.yk.ca/legislation/acts/evidence_c.pdf
Discussion Questions
- What are the major demographic trends in families and how have these changes impacted children’s lives?
- Give two examples of an individual entering a marriage without free and informed consent. Discuss the options that may be available.
- To divorce, a spouse must demonstrate marriage breakdown. How can a spouse seeking a divorce prove marriage breakdown?
- Describe the differences between mediation, collaborative family law, arbitration, and litigation.
- What is the principle underlying the law on division of property at marriage breakdown?
- What is the paramount test for determining custody and access?
- Do individuals in common-law relationships have any rights or obligations under family law? Discuss.