By: Sarah Nasser
Travel is a fun and exciting time for children. It exposes them to new environments, new people and different cultures. But before you pack their bags and take them to the airport, you might need to take care of a little extra paperwork.
Travel consent letters are generally prepared for a parent who intends to travel internationally with their child(ren) absent the other parent. While not a legal requirement when travelling, a travel consent letter is highly recommended by the Government of Canada and family lawyers alike, especially on international trips where it may be requested by immigration authorities and/or Canadian officials. Failure to produce a letter upon request may result in delays and/or refusal to enter or exit a country.
It is not just separated and/or divorced spouses that may need a travel consent letter. If a minor child is travelling without their custodial guardians, whether that is their grandparents or their basketball coach across the Canadian border, it will also be necessary to obtain and carry a travel consent letter.
What if you have sole custody of your child(ren)? Despite having sole or final decision making rights for your child(ren), it is strongly recommended that the travel consent letter is signed both by parents with custodial rights and by parents with access rights to the child(ren).
Do I have to sign a travel consent letter? Generally most parties get travel consent orders signed by the other party without issue, however, if the other parent does not consent to the travel letter, a court application will be necessary to ensure you are able to travel. Best practice is to ask for consent early to ensure there is time to bring an application if required.
Please note that we always suggest getting the travel consent letter notarized by a Notary Public to ensure that you will be able to travel. If you need a Notary Public please contact our office.
Suitcase? Check. Passport? Check. Travel Consent Letter?
COMMON LAW COUPLES AS GOOD AS MARRIED COME JANUARY, 2020
By: Sarah Nasser
Currently there is no legislation in Alberta that indicates how to divide property when an unmarried couple breaks up. This is soon set to change. In slightly more than a year, Alberta will join British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan in providing people in Adult Interdependent Partnerships (“AIP”) with property rights equivalent to those enjoyed by married spouses.
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5 Dunphy Best Blocksom LLP lawyers named to 2019 Best Lawyers list
Calgary, August 21, 2018 — Dunphy Best Blocksom LLP is pleased to announce that 5 lawyers have been included in the 2019 Edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence.
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The Double-Edged Sword that is Social Media
By Sarah Nasser
For better or for worse, social media is here to stay. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Skype, and Snap Chat – the platforms are endless. In the family law context social media has undoubtedly been a useful tool for separated families, when used responsibly. These platforms have allowed parents and children to remain connected and share moments in real time. In fact, this type of communication is now frequently included in Parenting Orders to ensure that children have regular communication with both of their parents when they are not physically with them.
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“Sexting” and the Law
New research from the University of Calgary reveals that sexting is on the rise amongst teenagers aged 12 – 17 years old. DBB’s Jonathan Griffith was recently interviewed by Global News Calgary about the legal risks of sexting.
Changes to the Employment Standards Code
By Alex Norris and Rachel West
The Alberta Employment Standards Code, RSA 2000, c E-9 (the Code) sets out the minimum standards that apply to most employers and employees in the province. In 2017, the Alberta Government advised that it would be making a number of substantive changes to the Code.
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Formal Complaints submitted to Calgary Police Service
Bullying and harassment complaints delivered to Chief of Police
Media coverage: Jen Magnus and other employees of Calgary Police Service file formal complaints
Media coverage synopsis: see DBB blog post for press release (February 21,2017).
DUNPHY BEST BLOCKSOM (DBB) LLP RETAINED BY JEN MAGNUS AND 12 OTHER EMPLOYEES OF THE CALGARY POLICE SERVICE
(Calgary, AB, February 21, 2017)— Thirteen formal complaints are in the process of being directly submitted to the Chief of Police. The employees allege that the Calgary Police Service (CPS) has failed to provide a safe environment for certain employees, which has resulted in years of workplace bullying and harassment.
Sandy Vander Ziel wins 2016 WILL Award
Women in Law Leadership Award for Service to the Community for all of Alberta
Sandy A. Vander Ziel is a Family Law Lawyer with Dunphy Best Blocksom LLP in Calgary. Sandy was admitted to the Alberta Bar in 2001 and has been practicing family law exclusively since 2002. Sandy is a Mediator, Arbitrator, Collaborative Lawyer and a Dispute Resolution Officer at the Court of Queen’s Bench in Calgary. Sandy’s practice is mainly focused on Alternative Dispute Resolution and she works closely with her client’s to bring finality to their family matters with a focus on the best interests of the children and maintaining a healthy post-separation parenting environment.
