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Child Support Services Policy

Published Date: April 23, 2018
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04 Court

Court Preparation

Parenting After Separation - Practice Note 1

Family Law Act


INTENT

To help parents better understand their obligations and roles in order to meet the best interests of their child(ren) after separation.

POLICY

Introduction

Parenting After Separation seminars (PAS) have been conducted in Edmonton and Calgary since about 1995. These seminars were initially developed for divorcing parents to better understand their obligations and roles in respect to their children after separation. In 1997 the delivery of PAS was expanded to all parts of the province and to separating unmarried couples with children. The Parenting After Separation Practice Note determines the court rules governing the parties’ completion of the PAS seminar.

Criteria for PAS Referrals for Community and Social Services Applications

Parenting After Separation – Practice Note Effective July 20, 2015
The Practice Note applies to proceedings under the Divorce Act and the Family Law Act where the parties live in Alberta.

The parties must attend either: (1) the Parenting After Separation seminar ("Seminar") or (2) complete the online Parenting After Separation seminar ("Online Seminar") within three months of filing the Statement of Claim or application. A certificate of attendance of the Seminar or a certificate of completion of the Online Seminar must be filed with the Clerk of the Court. 

No application for interim support for children, custody of, access to, parenting of or contact with children under the age of 16 shall be brought before the party bringing an application first attends the Seminar or completes the Online Seminar. A certificate of attendance or a certificate of completion must be presented to the Clerk of the Court prior to filing an application. Note
It is not necessary to refer the parties to PAS if:
  • An EMP 45 Support Agreementis negotiated, or    
  • The dependent children are all over the age of sixteen, or     
  • The matter is settled at a list date either by consent or a hearing.
Exemption From Attendance
There may be other extraordinary cases where an exemption from attending the Seminar or completing the Online Seminar will be granted and these cases will be dealt with on an individual basis upon application to the court. The application to be used is attached to Practice Note 1 that is posted on the Court of King’s Bench website.               


Compliance Notification
The respondent is responsible for filing his Certificate of Completion with the Clerk of the Court of King’s Bench.