Trusted Tips and Resources

Trusted Tips & Resources

The Trusted Saskatoon team brag about Panko Collaborative Law & Mediation

Panko Collaborative Law & Mediation is a settlement firm focusing on family law and offering a supportive environment for families in transition or conflict. Using a holistic approach, the team at Panko Collaborative Law and Mediation walks with their clients through whatever legal issue they are involved in, empowering them to problem solve out of court. Panko Collaborative Law & Mediation is a Trusted Saskatoon Law Firm Specializing in Family Law! 

A Fresh Perspective On Dispute Resolution from The Trusted Team at Panko Collaborative Law & Mediation  

It is safe to say that not many lawyers specialize in alternative dispute resolution and mediation when it comes to resolving client disputes. What the team at Panko Collaborative Law & Mediation offers is certainly different,  and we are eager to share what they do, why they get the thumbs up from Trusted Saskatoon and what makes them stand apart from the crowd!  



The first thing to note is that the goal at Panko is NOT to go to court! 


This is a rather surprising goal for a law firm, so to understand why it helps to learn how the company came to be in the first place. We sat down with Dominique Panko, a mediator at the company, to find out more about the history, the people and the philosophy of the firm. 

Dominique's mother, Charmaine Panko is the founder and principal lawyer at the firm. To say Charmaine is a trailblazer is an understatement. She was invited to study law at the University Of Saskatchewan and eagerly commenced her studies in 2000. Charmaine was a mature student and she had already started her family. Understandably she found the workload combined with mothering nine children intense, so she petitioned the University to allow her ( and other mothers) to study part-time. They agreed, and in 2005 Charmaine graduated with a Batchelor of Law (with distinction). After law school, she joined Miller Thomson, where she was a collaborative lawyer, mediator, arbitrator, and trainer, before leaving to start her own company, Panko Collaborative Law & Mediation in 2015.

When Dominique was sharing her mother's story,  it became clear that Charmaine has a talent for problem-solving,  and that she actively seeks out unique ways to overcome objections and tackle roadblocks encountered. Now a mother of 11, Charmaine is an entrepreneur overseeing a successful family-owned and operated Saskatoon law and meditation firm, where Dominique and 3 of her other children also work.   

A Commitment To Doing Things Differently 


"We will not go to court- there are ways to go your own way that aren't so hard and ways that don't have to be a road to misery. Our goal is to get former adversaries to work together" - Dominique Panko
When asked what being trusted means to the team at Panko, Dominique replied that confidentiality was paramount, clients have to be able to trust them and they must trust the process - to do that they need to feel safe. 
The process is very different from what people are used to when struggling with disputes in the emotional areas they deal with. They specialize in mediating family law, divorce and separation, wills and estate disputes. They offer holistic support and their team is invested in finding a way to an amicable resolution for their clients. Hear what their peers have to say...

" As a fellow attorney, I'm scrupulous about who I send my friends and family to. Charmaine is a seasoned attorney who works to achieve the very best results without destroying families. Charmaine's training in mediation and collaborative divorce help her to guide families through the transitions of separation and divorce without the high cost (and emotional toll) of litigation." Carrie Luelling

Panko Collaborative Law & Mediation has several pathways to achieve a successful outcome, including:

Collaborative Law
In this process, each person involved has their own specially trained lawyer. Both lawyers commit to resolving all matters between the people involved without fighting in court. Sometimes in this process, the lawyers might suggest the inclusion of other collaborative team members such as separation coaches, child consultants, or divorce financial experts. The video below explains the process in detail. 


" Collaborative Law was able to work around my busy schedule while guiding me on the proper sequence of everything involved in a separation. There were quick responses to any and all of my questions. When it came time to have a face-to-face meeting, I found it to be a comfortable experience. Which was nice, as I was nervous about mediation, to begin with. I found everyone in the office to be very professional." A Harrison


Mediation
A process using a neutral third party to facilitate negotiations and conversation for people in disagreement to reach a mutually satisfactory solution.


Kitchen Table
Working through the agreements that need to be made in an informal way, perhaps through conversations at your kitchen table.

Do It Yourself Separation / Divorce
They can teach you the steps to ensure your separation story is a successful one by taking the CommonSense Separation Course

" We refresh our mission statement every year to ensure it remains relevant. Our role is to empower people through difficult transitions - we go where ever there is conflict and we approach challenges with a fresh perspective. We give our clients tools that they can use for the rest of their lives" - Dominique Panko, Mediator

The team at Trusted Saskatoon is extremely proud to promote and support the wonderful team at Panko Collaborative Law & Mediation. It is clear that they are passionate about helping people find a better way. The situations they are involved with are amongst the most painful, emotional and challenging times in their clients' lives. Charmaine, Dominique and the Panko team authentically care, they are actively involved in offering new ways and they are passionate about petitioning for much-needed change in family law and the justice system so it works better for all involved, but especially for the children! 

Panko Collaborative Law & Mediation Is A Trusted Saskatoon Law Firm Specializing in Family Law and Mediation 




Trusted Saskatoon Legal tip explaining the grounds for divorce in Saskatchewan

Untying the Knot: Grounds for Divorce in Saskatchewan:  

 

Anyone who has gone through a divorce will likely tell you it was a difficult time for them mentally, emotionally, and financially. Understandably, clients often seek advice at the first signs of trouble in their marital relationships. One question I’ve heard repeatedly in my short time practicing family law is “how do I get a divorce?”

Divorce in Saskatchewan is governed by federal legislation called the Divorce Act. Although this blog entry refers to Saskatchewan, the Divorce Act applies to all of Canada. In Saskatchewan, only the Court of Queen’s Bench has jurisdiction to deal with a Petition for Divorce, and in order to get a divorce, one must make an application to the Court. There are many common misconceptions about what a couple and/or spouse must prove in order to get a divorce, but the truth is there is only one ground for divorce in Canada: marital breakdown.

What is “marital breakdown” and how does one go about establishing that a marital breakdown has occurred? The Divorce Act sets out three ways to establish marital breakdown:


1. Living separate and apart for one year


This is, by far, the most common ground for divorce, and is the easiest to prove. Spouses are considered to have been separated for one year when they have lived separately and apart for a period of 12 months. Although the period of separation must be uninterrupted, a brief reconciliation during the year (up to 90 days) will not interfere with the calculation of time, as long as the reconciliation is unsuccessful.


2. Adultery

If you choose to seek a divorce on the basis of adultery, you must establish that adultery occurred. You must also swear that the adultery was not condoned by you and that it was not permitted or invented simply as a means to obtaining a quick divorce. Note that adultery can be difficult to prove if your spouse is unwilling to simply admit to it in an affidavit.


3. Cruelty


Finally, a divorce may be granted in circumstances in which your spouse has treated you with intolerable physical or mental cruelty. If your spouse has treated you in such a way that it would be unreasonable or intolerable for you to continue to live with them, the Court may order a divorce. On a petition for divorce on the basis of cruelty, the Court will consider the effect of the conduct in question on you, the victim, in order to determine whether the behaviour in question constitutes cruelty.

Please note that divorce itself is only one issue couples face when their marriage breaks down. Other issues that arise when a couple separates include the division of family property, custody and access regarding children, child support, and spousal support. If you choose to seek a divorce, on any of these grounds, it is best to consult a lawyer who can guide you through the procedure of obtaining a divorce and settling the corollary issues that arise when a couple separates.

 

Do you have Trusted Saskatoon Financial Team

Does your Business have a great Financial Team?


We believe that every business needs a great financial team behind them. Does your business have a sound financial team?  

What makes a great financial team?  We are glad you asked. 

Every business needs a great Bookkeeper, Accountant, Financial Advisor and Lawyer on their financial team.  

What can these people do for your business?  Read on below: 

Bookkeeper

  • Takes care of the day-to-day and month-to-month business. They will prepare all items at year-end and pass them along to your accountant. 

Accountant

  • There to take care of your financial planning and tax planning. They complete your year-end financials and process your income tax. 

Financial Advisors

  • These folks are here to help with your investing plans.  Some financial advisors can even set your company up with employee benefits programs! 

Lawyers

  • Legal advice is imperative in business.  Lawyers will help with the proper setup of corporate structures.  They can provide advice and agreements on partnerships.  Every business should have a great lawyer. 

 

Do you need some help getting your financial team together? 

Check out:

 Trusted Saskatoon Financial Service 

Trusted Saskatoon Legal and Professional Services

 

 

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