Those looking to end a relationship through separation and divorce will have a different process in the next few years.
Before heading to court, couples seeking such action will need to attempt to resolve their issues through mediation, collaborative services, parent coordination or arbitration.
President of Collaborative Professionals of Saskatchewan Kayla Demars-Krentz said the current system does more harm than good.
“People going to court, it can destroy families quite frankly, the children involved, their best interests are not preserved,” DeMars-Krentz said. “People that were in a relationship, they need to find amicable ways to resolve their differences that doesn’t result in them spending thousands of dollars on lawyers.”
DeMars-Krentz said she thinks this will help relieve the court system.
“I think that our government is truly recognizing the problems that the current structure is really causing, and they’re now aware that there needs to be a better way to resolve disputes that preserves people
s best interests.”
DeMars-Krentz said she’s been in divorce court for six years.
“Even when I quote-unquote ‘win’ in family court, the emotional toil that it takes on a person is so great,” DeMars-Krentz said. “They really do not feel like they have won at the end of the day, even if the judge has granted them the relief that they are requesting.”
According to the latest figures from Stats Canada, marriages in the country now last an average of just under 14 years.
