On March 1, 2021 the Divorce Act of 1985 will be getting its first substantial update since coming into force.  Over the next three weeks we will be providing a brief overview of some of these major changes, starting with Custody and Access.

The terms “custody” and “access” will no longer exist.  In their place are parenting orders under which courts can make determinations of decision-making responsibility and parenting time between the parents.  This change in terminology more accurately reflects what prior custody and access orders were actually granting to one or both parents, namely, the ability to make decisions regarding the care and well-being of their children (custody) and the amount of time the children were to spend with each parent (access).  With the negative connotations surrounding the terms custody and access, the change in terminology will hopefully assist in reducing conflict between parents and more clearly convey the true nature of parenting determinations under the Act.

If you have concerns or questions regarding how this change may impact you, please contact us.

For more information and resources regarding McKercher LLP Family Law Saskatchewan visit www.mckercher.ca/familylawsask