As the situation with COVID-19 continues to change and develop, some parties have been challenging their parenting arrangements. In this recent case, an Ontario court considered the mother’s request to suspend the father’s access to their child because the father had chosen to self-isolate with his new partner (and her family) at a cottage. The …
Read MoreAs we’ve discussed in a number of blogs over the past ten weeks, COVID-19 has had a tremendous impact on the legal system, with all but the most urgent matters being put on hold for the time being. That said, urgent matters do arise, and Gelman & Associates’ very own Irina Davis recently appeared remotely …
Read MoreThe idea of a blended family, where two divorced or separated parents become partners, may have been a foreign concept many years ago, but is commonplace now. Parents in blended families may still share access to their children with their former partners, something that may not ordinally be an issue, but like many things, becomes …
Read MoreAn Ontario court recently considered the interesting question of what should happen when one parent fails to follow recent COVID-19 protocols. In this case, the mother brought a motion to suspend the father’s access to their child until he provided evidence that he was complying with public safety directives. The Background The parties had one …
Read MoreParents who share custody and access arrangements for their children have been facing a number of challenges during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In some cases, such as Ribeiro v. Wright, which we discussed in a previous blog, the parent with primary custody has made attempts to suspend the other parent’s access out of fear of …
Read MoreOver the last few weeks we have used our blog to share news about how COVID-19 is impacting the family courts in Ontario. The courts are currently only hearing urgent matters. The decision we’d like to discuss today is an excellent example of both the types of issues the courts are dealing with as well …
Read MoreAs noted in an earlier post, the regular operations of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice have been suspended under the Notice to the Profession of the Chief Justice of Ontario (the Notice) since March 15, 2020. A determination of “urgency” must therefore be made pursuant to the Notice. In a recent case, the Superior …
Read MoreA couple of weeks ago we wrote about how the courts in Ontario are responding to the COVID-19 crisis. We had noted that family issues were only being heard if matters were urgent. It’s been two weeks since that announcement and we are starting to see how the courts are responding to urgent requests. In …
Read MoreWhat happens when one party wants to relocate to another city with their child(ren)? In a recent case, an Ontario court considered a mother’s motion to move from one area of Ontario to another. The Background The parties had two children, ages three and six. In May 2018, the father was charged with several criminal …
Read MoreThe rapid spread of COVID-19 has resulted in a significant change in the day-to-day lives of all Canadians. Jobs, childcare, school, and almost every other facet of life has been impacted. The judicial system is no exception. Family law is no exception to this. Suspension of services as Ontario Superior Court of Justice The province’s …
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