Can I Cross The Border With A Criminal Record?
This is a difficult question with an often complicated answer. Having a criminal record may impact many different areas of your life; employment, family, travel and more.
When you cross the border, you are no longer bound by the laws of Canada. There are much more intrusive rules that govern whether you will be accepted into the USA. It is a good idea to be informed of your rights and obligations before buying that plane ticket to Disneyland.
Will Getting a Pardon Help?
Record suspensions (formerly called “pardons”) may not necessarily guarantee that you get to cross the border. You may be questioned about the crime you committed and what the outcome was. On the other hand, some people may not be asked about their criminal record and may be able to cross the border for years only to be stopped, questioned, and denied entry out of the blue.
You may choose to seek a waiver from US customs ahead of time. If there was a penalty associated with your court appearance, even if you obtained a discharge, you may still have to seek admissibility. This can be a difficult process and may involve you having to obtain reference letters, get your fingerprints taken, fill out the necessary paperwork, and provide evidence of your tax return, and more.
Going through the border can be a difficult experience.It may be in your best interest to speak with a lawyer if you are thinking about crossing the border with a criminal record. We are here to help.
Contact us to see how we can help. First consultations are free.
Toll-Free: 1-877-860-7575
How Do I Determine Child Support Payment Amount?
The Federal Child Support Guidelines (CSG) regulate child support across Canada. While judges are not bound to follow the CSGs, the majority of the time they are followed by judges, subject to some exceptions.
There are a number of steps that need to be taken to determine the amount of child support:
- First, you must determine how many “eligible” children there are as a result of the marriage. Eligible children typically mean anyone under the age of 19 that was a “child of the relationship.”
- Second, you determine your gross income prior to taxes
- Third, look up your support amount using the above information and the CSG
Calculating child support can get complicated as there are many exceptions to the general rules. One exception is if the child divides their time between both parents, and spends at least 40% of their time with the parent with the least amount of time. Another exception to the CSG may come up if the income of the person paying child support is over $150,000. There are other exceptions which may also impact the calculation of child support.
If you have questions about child support obligations or if you have specific questions on any family law issues, please contact us to see how we can help.
If you require any help, please contact us – first consultations are free.
Toll-Free: 1-877-860-7575