The Law Can be Confusing.
I HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH A CRIMINAL OFFENCE, DO I NEED A LAWYER?
Being convicted of any criminal offence can not only have a detrimental impact on your freedom, but also on your ability to work and travel in the future. All criminal charges ought to be viewed as serious. While the choice is yours as to whether or not you wish to proceed unrepresented, we cannot recommend that you at least speak to a lawyer prior to pleading guilty or running a trial more strongly. If you do not have money to hire a lawyer, you may be eligible for legal aid. if you do not qualify for legal aid, we may be able to find a way to assist you in a manner that makes financial sense for you. In some cases, you may be able to obtain court appointed counsel.
What’s jail like?
Candidly, we have visited many correctional centres and penitentiaries, they are all rather unpleasant places to be.
My ex partner is not paying child support, what do i do?
Is there an existing order regarding child support? If there isn’t, then you need to file a petition for support, and bring a court application for interim support. Child support is the right of the child. The non-custodial parent, or both parents in shared parenting regimes, must pay support for the maintenance of their children in accordance with the Federal Child Support Guidelines.
I am buying a home, how much are legal fees?
Typically, legal fees depend on the purchase price of the home and are charged in accordance with the tariff on legal fees for real estate transactions. In addition, there are a number of fees that accompany real estate purchased that are called disbursements and are unrelated to legal fees which include things like ISC fees etc.
Give us a call to get a free quote on your real estate purchase or sale!
My partner and I are separating, we don’t want to go to court, is that possible?
It depends on if you were married or not, a Divorce can only be granted through the courts, but that doesn’t mean that a trial is necessary to resolve all the issues surrounding a divorce. If the parties can resolve issues on their own, then a separation agreement, as long as it meets the formal requirements in Saskatchewan, can deal with all property and parental rights of the separating parties, if the parties were married, the separation agreement, along with other documentation, can be filed with the Court to apply for a divorce. Candidly, a trial is expensive both financially and emotionally and it is in both parties best interests to settle the issues prior to trial. However, in some cases a trial cannot be avoided.
My partner and I almost agree on everything, but are stuck on a couple of issues, what do we do?
In these cases, there may be a benefit to attending mediation. A mediator may help to get the parties to overcome the areas in which the parties disagree, the mediator can be retained on your own or through us. A collaborative divorce may also be helpful, in that case both parties higher lawyers trained in the area of collaborative law, and those lawyers are bound by contract to not represent either party in court, but serve to only get the parties to reach an agreement collaboratively.
Simply meeting with a lawyer to explain certain areas of the law may also be helpful so that both parties may have a realistic expectation on how the law would apply in their situation if the matter proceeded to Court.
My spouse has locked me out of the family home, what do I do?
It is likely that the local police will not get involved in such a situation as it is a civil matter. In these types of cases, it is likely best to hire a lawyer and make an application to the court to gain access to the home, on order to minimize conflict. It is in your best interests not to delay bringing in application to the court in these situations.
My spouse worked and I stayed at home, I do not have money to hire a lawyer. What can I do?
In some cases we can defer payment in family law situations depending on the matrimonial property to be divided, or if we can make arrangements to accept monthly payments. Contact us to see if we can work out a suitable fee arrangement to assist you.
Can we hire you to just do one application or on a temporary basis?
We can enter into a limited scope retainer with you where we are retained to just appear in chambers or at a pretrial settlement or on any other limited basis. Please contact us directly to see what we can work out to assist you.
I just got divorced, should I update my will?
It is generally a good idea to update ones will whenever there is a change in ones life. It is important after a marriage or a divorce or after the birth of children to update ones will. If the property contained in the original will has increased or decreased greatly then it is also a good idea to think about reviewing your will.