Cat and Dog Custody? Who gets the pets in a Divorce or Separation.

We get very attached to our pets for good reason. They become family too. When divorce occurs, it sometimes is heartbreaking and stressful to know who will get the pets and how they will be cared for. I have observed 3 different scenarios in my experience:

1. The parties agree to have the pets travel with the children. So, if there is a week on week off parenting schedule, the pets also spend a week on and a week off at each home.

2. One party recognizes that the pet or pets are better off in one home and leaves it or them at that home or may ask to see or care for the pet occasionally.

3. The parties are fighting over the pets and make them part of the property division which becomes stressful and expensive.

If children are involved in the divorce, allowing them to keep their pets with them gives them some comfort and stability in the midst of a great deal of upset in their lives. It is commendable if the parties can see this and work out the pet division/management in the best interests of the children and what is best for the pets.

Getting Separated or Divorced in Alberta? 13 Essential Websites

If you are thinking about getting separated or divorced in Alberta and you're not sure where to start, check out the list of links below.

The volume of information you find online can be overwhelming. Here is a list of websites that provide meaningful and accurate content to help you navigate the legal process of separation and divorce in Alberta.

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1. Alberta Courts Website

​The Provincial Court of Alberta oversees matters relating to criminal law, family law, youth law, civil law and traffic laws.

2. Family Law Information Centre

​Alberta Government family court counselors to get help with preparing for court, accessing the court system and resolving your parenting dispute.

3. Glossary of Legal Terms

​Law Society of Alberta - Online Legal Dictionary

4. Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA)

Get familiar with your CRA assessed income, you need an accurate account of your income an expenses for calculations in your divorce settlement. Be aware of you line 120 income number, for most people this is the income that is used for calculating child support and spousal support.

5. Parenting After Separation

This course is for parents or guardians who are separating or getting a divorce.

It’s required:

1. before you file a divorce application & if a judge directs you to take it

6. Alberta Maintenance Enforcement Program (MEP)

The Maintenance Enforcement Program (MEP) collects court-ordered child support, spousal and partner support, and enforces as needed.

7. Child Support Table Look Up

Wondering how much child support you will pay/receive?

Enter your income, number of children and the province and this child support table look-up will help you find the base amount of child support.

8. Child Support Recalculation Program

The Recalculation Program (RP) is an administrative service that annually recalculates court-ordered child support based on current income tax information.

9. Department of Justice Child Support Tables

​The Canadian Department of Justice has created easy-to-use tools to determine basic child support amounts. These tools are based on the official tables in the Federal Child Support Guidelines.

10. Marriage Certificate Requests Canada

Your original marriage certificate is required for Alberta divorce proceedings, if you don't have it, you can get one from the link above.

11. Mediation Resource - ADR Institute of Alberta

The ADR Institute of Alberta (ADRIA) is the professional membership body for mediators, arbitrators, and other Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) practitioners in Alberta.

12. Mediation Resource - Family Mediation Canada

Family mediation is about helping families grappling with unresolved conflict find ways to a solution.

13. Mediation Resource - Alberta Family Mediation Society

Alberta Family Mediation Society (AFMS) advocates resolution of family conflict through the use of mediation by qualified professionals.