Following a family law trial, the court determined whether a father’s parenting time should expand to include overnight access with the parties’ two young children.
The mother opposed expansion citing concerns about the father’s prior mental health issues, unfamiliar living arrangements, and the children’s emotional reactions.
Evidence showed the father had undertaken counselling, improved stress management, and that the Children’s Aid Society had no safety concerns regarding overnight access.
The court found the evidence supported a gradual expansion of parenting time and that the mother’s concerns, while sincere, were largely speculative.
The court held that overnight access was in the children’s best interests and ordered a staged increase in the father’s parenting time including alternate weekend overnights and summer access.