A social worker from Nova Scotia Child Protective Services called me. Are my children going to be taken away from me?

/ Highlander Law Group/
A social worker from Nova Scotia Child Protective Services called me. Are my children going to be taken away from me?

It can be scary for a parent to get a call from child protection workers, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that the children are going to be taken away. In Nova Scotia, child protection is part of the Department of Opportunities Social Development, and is often referred to as CPS, though some people will also use the acronym CAS, which is short for Children’s Aid Society, which is the name used in Ontario.

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Social workers from Nova Scotia child protection took away my children. What do I do now? How do I get my kids back?

/ Highlander Law Group/
Social workers from Nova Scotia child protection took away my children. What do I do now? How do I get my kids back?

Having your children removed from your home can be very scary for everyone involved. While it is normal to be emotional, the best thing you can do if this happens to you is to reach out for help, and ask questions, in as calm and polite a manner as you can.

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Date of Separation – What does it mean for Nova Scotia couples?

/ Highlander Law Group/
Date of Separation – What does it mean for Nova Scotia couples?

In most cases, people can agree on the date of separation. When my clients ask me how to decide when they were separated I ask them when they stopped acting like a married couple. There is no one thing that marks a separation definitively (although one person moving out is usually a pretty good indication).

 

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How long does it take to get a Divorce in Nova Scotia?

/ Highlander Law Group/
How long does it take to get a Divorce in Nova Scotia?

Ask almost anyone who has been through it and they will say “too long!” Joking aside, it can feel like a long process, and the justice system is not exactly known for its speed, even at the best of times. The hardest part of a divorce is coming up with the terms of divorce, especially as it relates to custody, property division and support payments. This can be done through negotiation, or a judge can make the decision.  A negotiated settlement is almost always faster than waiting for the court to order the terms of your divorce. So, what exactly takes so long with court?

 

The hardest part of a divorce is coming up with the terms of divorce, especially as it relates to custody, property division and support payments. This can be done through negotiation, or a judge can make the decision.

 

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Myth-busting Child Support and Custody

/ Highlander Law Group/
Myth-busting Child Support and Custody

Almost everyone has been touched by divorce in some way, so it is not surprising that that so many well-meaning friends and family are eager to give out legal advice during a separation. Unfortunately, their advice is not always accurate or helpful. One commonly repeated myth is that if the parents share equal custody, then no one has to pay child support. 

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Laws Restricting the Marketing of Unhealthy Foods to Children are on the Horizon

/ Highlander Law Group/
Laws Restricting the Marketing of Unhealthy Foods to Children are on the Horizon

 As the father of a four-year-old who has always been a “good eater” I am lucky that I do not have many struggles with her eating unhealthy foods. But as she gets older and exposed to more advertising, her requests for the three Cs (cookies, candy, and cake) have started to get a little louder. As a parent, I am happy for any help I can get to try to combat the slick marketing directed at her to consume foods high in fat, salt, and sugar.

Health Canada has opened public consultations about restricting advertising of unhealthy foods to young people. The goal is to decrease strain on the health care system by helping children develop healthy food habits that will continue throughout their lives.

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