Panko Collaborative Law & Mediation, Family Lawyers in Saskatchewan Empowering Clients with the Legal Guidance They Deserve

A: Every divorce is different, so you won’t know how long yours will take until your case is underway. But the average separation and divorce process takes anywhere from three months to about a year. If you and your spouse can agree on property division, child parenting arrangements, and more, the process will go faster. If you’re struggling to come to an agreement, mediation or collaborative law might help. Depending on how things go, you could end up with a resolution within a few sessions, allowing your divorce to be finalized as soon as possible.

A: Contrary to what some believe, you don’t have to be wealthy to benefit from a prenuptial agreement. If you are entering the marriage with any assets you wish to keep in case of divorce, or if you have minor children to protect in the event of your death, consider a prenup. This document lets you and your spouse specify how you will handle property and debts if you ever get divorced, and it can state whether one of you will get spousal support. Our prenuptial agreement lawyers can walk you through the process of creating this contract.

A: It’s never too late to put measures in place to protect your assets. You can do this even if you’re already married. The name is different since it’s called a postnuptial agreement, but it works the same as a prenuptial agreement since you can use this document to state who gets which assets and debts. You can also discuss spousal support. However, you cannot use a postnup to make arrangements for child support or child custody, as this needs to be done separately.

A: A lot of divorces end up in court, but not all. In fact, if you want to avoid court, you’ve come to the right law firm since our lawyers specifically focus on coming up with solutions outside the courtroom. We use mediation, collaborative law, and similar peaceful techniques to help clients come to agreements on property division, child custody, and other legal issues they might struggle with. So, if battling your legal issues in court does not appeal to you, contact our law firm today.

A: If there are questions about paternity, getting a DNA test can provide quick answers. Establishing paternity can help the mother get child support from the biological father. It can also help the father get child custody or visitation rights so he is able to bond with his biological child. Additionally, if someone says you are their child’s father and you do not believe you are, a DNA test can keep you from being ordered to pay child support for a child that is not yours. Contact us if you have paternity concerns.

A: This is something many couples decide while they’re still married, as they can address this topic on their prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. If you and your spouse never discussed this and you’re heading for divorce, contact our family lawyers to learn if you may be eligible for alimony. In many cases, if you make a lot less money than your spouse, you may be able to request financial support, especially if you put your career on hold to raise the kids while married.

A: In most cases, the judge wants the child to have a relationship with both parents, so joint custody is preferred when possible. But in the end, judges rule according to what’s in the best interest of the child. So, if it’s clear that your child’s other parent cannot provide a safe environment or is not interested in raising them, you can pursue sole custody with our help. We will assist with overseeing mediation or similar tactics to come to an agreement that works for you and the other parent.

A: You might have agreed to a specific amount of child support or spousal support during divorce, but if your circumstances have changed since then, you can request a variation. This will require you to show a significant change in income, expenses, or other variables that affect how much money you can afford to spend or need to receive. Either way, our variations lawyers will provide the legal guidance you’ll need to show that the amount should be modified, so call us to get started.