Genevieve Samuels

The mother brought a motion to enforce prior orders for parenting time and family reconciliation therapy, alleging the father alienated their 17-year-old daughter.

The daughter, represented by the Office of the Children's Lawyer, adamantly refused to participate in therapy or see her mother.

The court dismissed the mother's motion to enforce the orders, finding it would be futile and counterproductive given the child's age and entrenched views.

However, finding the father partly responsible for the therapy's failure, the court ordered him to reimburse the mother for half the therapy costs as a sanction for non-compliance.

The applicant mother brought a motion seeking interim sole decision-making responsibility for the parties' child's school enrollment and an order for primary residence.

The parties previously had a final order for joint custody and equally shared care.

The court found a material change in circumstances under section 29 of the Children's Law Reform Act, noting the mother's relocation, the child reaching school age, the father's work schedule and living arrangements, and the father's abusive communications.

The court concluded it was in the child's best interests to reside primarily with the mother and attend school in her district, granting the mother's motion.