Family Law & Child Protection

The legal issues with which family lawyers assist are some of the most important matters in a client’s life.

These materials provide information on the laws and principles surrounding divorce, parenting, child and spousal support, protective relief and property division. Also included is information on adoption, assisted reproduction, guardianship and child protection. Chapters include guidance on practice and procedure from initial considerations to the conclusion of a matter, along with precedents and links to additional resources.

Please note:

Bill 17 was introduced in March 2022 and received royal assent on June 1, 2022. It will be in force on a date fixed by proclamation, at which time it will repeal The Family Maintenance Act in its entirety. The Family Maintenance Act will be replaced by The Family Law Act, The Family Support Enforcement Act and The Inter-Jurisdictional Support Orders Amendment Act. There will also be consequential amendments to many other statutes.

These materials reflect the provisions of The Family Maintenance Act in force on the date of publication, and also make reference to the new provisions that will be in force once proclaimed.

With the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, 2022, and the ascension of King Charles III, the Court of Queen’s Bench automatically became the Court of King’s Bench. As well, the Queen’s Bench Act and Queen’s Bench Rules are now known as the King’s Bench Act and the King’s Bench Rules. All decisions pronounced prior to September 8, 2022 continue to reflect the name of the court and the rules in force at the time of pronouncement. These materials reflect these changes.

Thank you

The Law Society of Manitoba thanks all the volunteer lawyer reviewers who have contributed to the past development and current updating of the materials. It would not have been possible without the hours of help they have given over the years.

The reviewers of the Family Law chapters:

  • Jessica Dillon, Tapper Cuddy LLP
  • Greg Evans, Evans Family Law Corporation
  • Len Fishman, Fishman Beley
  • Signe Hanson, Manitoba Justice, Family Resolution Service
  • Randall Horton, Tapper Cuddy LLP
  • Leita Kalinowsky, Manitoba Justice, Family Resolution Service
  • Fay-Lynn Katz, Manitoba Justice, Family Law Section, Legal Services Branch
  • Robynne Kazina, Taylor McCaffrey LLP
  • Crystal Kennedy, Legal Aid Manitoba
  • Ginette LeSann, Manitoba Justice, Family Resolution Service
  • Cheryl McGibbon, Manitoba Justice, Family Law Section, Legal Services Branch
  • Candray Mehkary, Manitoba Justice, Family Law Section, Legal Services Branch
  • Tracy Morrow, Manitoba Justice, Family Law Section, Legal Services Branch
  • Ingrid Pflug, Manitoba Justice, Family Law Section, Legal Services Branch
  • Lawrence Pinsky, Taylor McCaffrey LLP
  • Jessica Schofield, Taylor McCaffrey LLP
  • Janet Sigurdson, Manitoba Justice, Family Law Section, Legal Services Branch
  • Maury Stephensen, Manitoba Justice, Family Law Section, Legal Services Branch
  • Michael Williams, Family Resolution Service, Child Support Service Unit
  • Norman Yusim, Fillmore Riley LLP

Questions or Errors & Omissions

If you notice errors or omissions in these materials, please let us know via cpd@lawsociety.mb.ca.