We are living in unprecedented times. The World Health Organization has declared the novel coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic. We are finishing out March 2020 with 754,948 confirmed cases and 36,571 lives claimed by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) worldwide. The virus has spread to every continent, except for the land of barren ice: Antarctica.

In a time of escalating uncertainty, Banaszek Family Law continues to serve Albertans with preventative measures in place to protect our community. Since the City of Calgary declared a local state of emergency on March 15, 2020, Banaszek Family Law has been conducting all client meetings over the phone or by video conference. All Court documents will be fax-filed to reduce traffic at the Calgary Courts Centre and all Court registries throughout the province. We will continue to limit in-person interactions for as long as public health officials advise that social distancing is required to ensure we are doing our part to flatten the curve.

Where matters are urgent or requiring immediate resolution, Albertans can continue to rely on Banaszek Family Law and our justice system to serve and protect their interests. In the latest Alberta Courts announcement, access to all courthouses in the province of Alberta is being restricted until further notice. Currently, only emergency or urgent matters are being heard by Alberta Courts. Emergency matters are those in which serious consequences to persons or harm to property may arise if the hearing does not proceed, or if there is a risk of loss of jurisdiction or expiration of an existing protection or restraining order. If you are currently experiencing a family law matter which you believe to be of an urgent nature, contact Banaszek Family Law immediately to seek legal advice.

Banaszek Family Law is here to assist you during the pandemic as we believe that your family law matter does not need to be stalled or put on hold during these uncertain times even if it is not of an urgent nature. Although access to the Courts is limited right now, litigation should never be the only method to finalize a family law dispute. More than ever before, alternate dispute resolution options should be considered and employed before litigation. Throughout Alberta, qualified mediators and arbitrators continue to offer their private services remotely, and negotiations and settlements between counsel and parties can still be accomplished without a scheduled Court appearance.

Although we are distancing from our downtown Calgary office at this time, Banaszek Family Law’s contact information remains the same. We can be reached by telephone directly at: 587-390-8548. To book an initial telephone consultation or obtain independent legal advice, please complete the consultation request form HERE.

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We wish our readers and clients good health ●