Karen Guthrie-Douse

The applicant mother and respondent father separated after a high-conflict marriage.

The mother sought sole custody of their two children, while the father sought joint custody and shared parenting.

The court found that the parents' inability to communicate and cooperate ruled out joint custody or parallel parenting.

The mother was granted sole custody and final decision-making authority, as she had demonstrated a more child-focused approach to the children's medical and academic needs.

The father's access was expanded to include more meaningful time, and he was ordered to pay child support based on the Federal Child Support Guidelines.

The parties separated after a 17-year cohabitation and marriage.

The mother sought sole custody of their 9-year-old child, while the father sought sole custody and equal parenting time.

The court found the parents were unable to communicate or make decisions cooperatively, largely due to the father's unrealistic expectations, unilateral changes to the parenting schedule, and refusal to accept professional advice regarding the child's need for counselling.

The mother was awarded sole custody, and the existing parenting schedule was largely maintained.

The court also ordered the father to pay child support, proportionate section 7 expenses, and retroactive and ongoing spousal support based on both compensatory and non-compensatory grounds.