(Last Updated On: October 31, 2021)

Are you separated from your partner and finding it challenging to take care of your child? If so, the parenting orders in Alberta can come to help.

When parents or guardians are separated, they often can’t take responsibility or give proper time to their children. Through parenting order, the Government helps the parents to focus on their child.

This topic is all about parenting order, eligibility and the process of applying. So, let’s start reading!

What Is Parenting Order?

One new term in family law is parenting order. In Alberta, the Government encourages parents to focus on their children. However, the law states that this order is for parents or guardians who live apart and want to support their children.

The parenting order is to divide equal time and responsibilities for parents. When a couple gets a parenting order, they will quickly understand how to make decisions and spend time with their child.

A parenting order can help a couple to sort out future debates regarding parenting agreements. Nevertheless, the Government is responsible for deciding the time length appropriate for the couple.

Eligibility of Parenting Order

In Alberta, the government laws aren’t so complicated. They help parents to do the best for their children. However, a couple still needs to prove that they are eligible for a parenting order.

The three aspects of being eligible are:

1. A couple needs to determine their responsibilities and time
2. A couple didn’t apply for divorce
3. A couple has a child in Alberta

3 Steps to Apply for Parenting Order

If you’re eligible for a parenting order, you can start to apply for a parenting order. However, some couples find the process too tough to handle.

The 3 steps to apply for a parenting order are:

1. Fill up your forms
2. File your order
3. Wait for your hearing

Let’s look into the details of the steps.

1. Fill Up Your Forms

First, a couple needs to get their parenting order forms, where a couple can be married or unmarried. However, the case might be different if a couple applied for divorce as those applications are already facing various issues.

While filling up your forms, you need to understand the category you belong to, and you can quickly get your form online or Alberta court. Nevertheless, a couple also needs to know what parenting category they are in as these also vary in a parenting order.

When couples or guardians get parenting orders, they have the right to inquire about their child’s welfare, health, and education. If they are denied repeatedly, the other party could face extreme cases by the court. Therefore, the court can rethink changing the parenting order.

2. File Your Order

You can move into filing your order on the Family court if you complete your forms. Some people find it complex to file their cases.

If your child is in Alberta, you can apply in Alberta court, but you need to apply in the Provincial court if your child is out of Alberta.

Make sure you remember to file your case in the same court and location where you went or started any case action with the other party. Nevertheless, the court can process the parenting order if one party is absent.

3. Wait for your hearing

After filing your order, you need to wait for your hearing. It would help if you represented yourself in the family court once the court announces the date.

If it isn’t possible to attend the court on the same day, you can contact the court clerks, and they might help you. Additionally, if you choose to be absent, the court can reset a new date or give a final hearing.

In some cases, one party doesn’t come, and the court dismisses the case. It depends on the judge whether they want to set a new date or give their final verdict.

Can We Change Parenting Order?

There are many cases where the court changes the order. Some instances that court faces are couples not having the same parenting time. In such cases, the court can rethink to change the parenting order.

As the parenting order is for the child, the court should always think about them. So, the court needs to decide based on the child’s best interest or any change in circumstances.

Conclusion

If you read the article, you already have an idea about the parenting order. The parenting order in Alberta is beneficial for parents as well as guardians. The Government believes in making lives better for children by providing the best.

If you think that the process will be challenging for you, you can always take the help of a professional. The lawyers will give the best option available for you and fight for your success.

So, without making everything more complicated, you better start with the process!