What can I do if my spouse won't let me have access to our children?

If you cannot work this out between you, the first step might be to ask your lawyer to work out a solution with your spouse's lawyer. Many lawyers who practise family law now practise "Collaborative Family Law". They endeavour to work together for the good of their clients and to try to make the process less adversarial. For more information on how to find a collaborative family lawyer in your area, contact your provincial Law Society. The Federation of Law Societies of Canada website contains links to provincial law societies.

You also have the option of trying mediation with a mediator specializing in family mediation issues. For more information, see Family Mediation Canada and provincial organizations such as Alberta Family Mediation Society. Your provincial government may have a program for those with low incomes to access mediation services.

If that doesn't work, you may need to go to court to ask a judge for help in enforcing your access rights.

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June 2006

see also:

• More Divorce FAQs

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