Navigating separation or divorce can be one of life’s most difficult transitions. Resolve Legal Group provides practical and compassionate family law services for matters involving divorce, custody and guardianship, parenting, child support, spousal support, property division, dependant adult applications and more.
You may want a family lawyer if the situation involves major legal rights, safety concerns, or long-term financial or parenting consequences. Common examples include:
Separation or divorce with shared property, debts, pensions, or a house
Disputes about parenting time, decision-making, or child support
Concerns about domestic violence, intimidation, or child safety
A spouse hiding money or refusing financial disclosure
International or interprovincial parenting issues
Court papers have already been filed against you
You’re being pressured to sign an agreement you don’t fully understand
A high-conflict breakup where communication has broken down
In Alberta, many people use a “limited scope” family lawyer for specific tasks instead of full representation. That can include:
Reviewing a separation agreement
Helping prepare court documents
Coaching before mediation or court
Giving one-time legal advice
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While we can quote on the cost of a desk divorce (flat rate), this is one question that no family lawyer can answer with certainty. The reason for this is because we do not know how the other party is going to respond and we don’t know how the other party’s lawyer is going to respond. There are many different procedures, steps, and remedies available through a family law process. Some of these take longer to complete which can i increase legal fees. Other processes are more efficient and cost effective. Often the more efficient and cost effective processes tend to occur when parties are able to communicate well with one another. High conflict files involving children tend to be more costly due to the high emotions and nature of a custody matter that often drives a file into litigation. Litigation tends to have higher legal fees than an Alternative Dispute Resolution “ADR” process, generally speaking. In order to enter into an ADR process, both parties have to agree to this process. Where parties can’t reach an agreement, the default resolution process available is litigation/court.
Your lawyer can help you choose which legal process is right for you and your family.
At Resolve Legal Group, we are aware that legal fees can feel insurmountable. Although we cannot solely control the process used and the number of steps required within that process, our team always makes best efforts to avoid any unnecessary steps that may increase legal fees. We also give clients the option to assist on their file to reduce the cost of legal fees. For example, we will ask the client if they want to redact their own financial information before we file it on the public record with the court, or if they would like to have one of our assistants to complete this task for them at the legal assistant’s hourly rate. We do whatever we can to keep your legal fees at a minimum.
Our team is here to help you understand your options and take the next step with confidence. Whether you have questions about your situation, need guidance on the right process, or are ready to move forward, we can provide clear support tailored to your needs.
In Alberta, there is generally a presumption that matrimonial property accumulated during the marriage will be divided equally between spouses after separation or divorce. However, the actual division can become more complex depending on the assets and debts involved.
Matrimonial property typically includes assets and property acquired during the marriage. This may include homes, savings, investments, and other jointly accumulated assets.
Yes. Certain assets may be excluded from division, including property owned before the marriage, inheritances, and gifts received by one spouse.
Your lawyer can help you choose which legal process is right for you and your family.
At Resolve Legal Group, we are aware that legal fees can feel insurmountable. Although we cannot solely control the process used and the number of steps required within that process, our team always makes best efforts to avoid any unnecessary steps that may increase legal fees. We also give clients the option to assist on their file to reduce the cost of legal fees. For example, we will ask the client if they want to redact their own financial information before we file it on the public record with the court, or if they would like to have one of our assistants to complete this task for them at the legal assistant’s hourly rate. We do whatever we can to keep your legal fees at a minimum.
Property division laws can be complex, especially when determining what qualifies as matrimonial property. Seeking legal advice early helps you understand your rights, obligations, and important time limits for making a claim under Alberta legislation.
Our team is here to help you understand your options and take the next step with confidence. Whether you have questions about your situation, need guidance on the right process, or are ready to move forward, we can provide clear support tailored to your needs.
For separations occurring after January 1, 2020, Alberta’s Family Property Act allows qualifying adult interdependent partners to divide property similarly to married couples. Property acquired during the relationship may be subject to fair division.
A relationship may qualify if you and your partner have lived together in an interdependent relationship for at least three years or if you have entered into an adult interdependent partner agreement.
Not necessarily. Certain property may be exempt from division, including assets owned before the relationship, inheritances, gifts, or certain insurance proceeds. However, any increase in value of exempt property during the relationship may still be shared.
Yes. In most cases, adult interdependent partners have two years from the end of the relationship to start a claim for property division under the Family Property Act. Missing this deadline may prevent you from bringing a Court claim.
Our team is here to help you understand your options and take the next step with confidence. Whether you have questions about your situation, need guidance on the right process, or are ready to move forward, we can provide clear support tailored to your needs.
There are generally three types of parenting arrangements: primary parenting, shared parenting, and split parenting. The right arrangement depends on the specific needs of the children and parents involved.
Primary parenting means the child lives with one parent more than 60% of the time. Shared parenting involves both parents caring for the child at least 40% of the time each. Split parenting typically applies when there are multiple children and each child primarily lives with a different parent.
In every case, the Court focuses on the best interests of the child. Factors such as the child’s needs, stability, and family circumstances are considered when determining parenting arrangements.
Yes. Our team can help you develop parenting arrangements and decision-making responsibilities that support your family’s needs while minimizing conflict and helping you understand your legal rights and options.
Our team is here to help you understand your options and take the next step with confidence. Whether you have questions about your situation, need guidance on the right process, or are ready to move forward, we can provide clear support tailored to your needs.
There are generally three types of parenting arrangements: primary parenting, shared parenting, and split parenting. The right arrangement depends on the specific needs of the children and parents involved.
Ideally, these agreements are created before moving in together or before getting married. However, they can also be made after the relationship has already begun.
These agreements can address property division, financial support, asset protection, and other legal rights and responsibilities between partners.
Independent legal advice helps ensure the agreement is fair, legally valid, and enforceable. It also confirms that both parties fully understand their rights and obligations before signing.
Our team is here to help you understand your options and take the next step with confidence. Whether you have questions about your situation, need guidance on the right process, or are ready to move forward, we can provide clear support tailored to your needs.
Child relocation refers to a parent moving to a new home or location after separation or divorce when children are involved. Relocation can become a legal issue if the move affects existing parenting arrangements.
Yes. In joint parenting arrangements, both parents generally need to consent before a child can relocate with one parent.
If parents cannot reach an agreement regarding relocation, legal assistance may be necessary to resolve the issue through negotiation, mediation, or Court proceedings.
Yes. Our team has experience handling provincial, federal, and international relocation matters and can assist with negotiation, mediation, and Court-ordered resolutions.
Our team is here to help you understand your options and take the next step with confidence. Whether you have questions about your situation, need guidance on the right process, or are ready to move forward, we can provide clear support tailored to your needs.
Yes. Parents have a legal obligation to financially support their children after separation or divorce, whether the parents were married or not.
Child support is determined using the Federal Child Support Guidelines, which consider factors such as the paying parent’s income, place of residence, and the number of children involved.
Section 7 expenses are additional child-related costs that may be shared between parents, including daycare, medical expenses, educational costs, and other extraordinary expenses.
Yes. In some cases, parents may still be required to provide support if the child is continuing their education or is unable to support themselves due to illness or disability.
Our team is here to help you understand your options and take the next step with confidence. Whether you have questions about your situation, need guidance on the right process, or are ready to move forward, we can provide clear support tailored to your needs.
No. There is no automatic entitlement to spousal or partner support after separation or divorce. Support may be agreed upon between the parties or determined by the Court.
The Court considers many factors when deciding entitlement, including the circumstances of the relationship, financial needs, and the objectives established under legislation and case law.
The Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines provide a reference range for the amount and duration of support. While commonly used, these guidelines are not legally mandatory calculations.
Yes. Legal advice is strongly recommended before agreeing to pay or receive spousal support to ensure your rights, obligations, and long-term interests are properly protected.
Our team is here to help you understand your options and take the next step with confidence. Whether you have questions about your situation, need guidance on the right process, or are ready to move forward, we can provide clear support tailored to your needs.
Individuals seeking to adopt a child in their care, a stepchild, or a child for whom they have acted in place of a parent may be eligible to apply for adoption.
“In loco parentis” refers to a person who has taken on the role and responsibilities of a parent for a child, even if they are not the child’s biological parent.
Yes. Our team can guide you through the adoption process, explain the required documentation, and help you understand the legal steps involved.
The Court may require specific forms, supporting documents, and other information depending on the type of adoption. We can help ensure your Application is properly prepared and submitted within the required timelines.
Our team is here to help you understand your options and take the next step with confidence. Whether you have questions about your situation, need guidance on the right process, or are ready to move forward, we can provide clear support tailored to your needs.
Grandparents may have rights under Alberta law to seek access to their grandchildren, particularly when a relationship breakdown affects contact with the child.
If you are unable to see your grandchildren, legal advice can help you understand your options and whether you may apply for access or parenting-related arrangements.
Yes. Grandparents who are concerned about a grandchild’s safety, care, or well-being can seek legal guidance regarding their rights and possible next steps.
Yes. Our team can provide advice on grandparents’ rights under Alberta legislation and help you understand the legal options available in your situation.
Our team is here to help you understand your options and take the next step with confidence. Whether you have questions about your situation, need guidance on the right process, or are ready to move forward, we can provide clear support tailored to your needs.
International and interprovincial family law matters can become more complex when one party relocates, removes children, or transfers assets across borders. These situations often require legal guidance across multiple jurisdictions.
The Hague Convention is an international agreement that helps address cases where a child has been wrongfully removed to another country by a parent. It generally applies only if both countries involved are signatories to the Convention.
If a child is removed to a non-signatory country, recovering or returning the child to Canada can become significantly more difficult. However, legal negotiation and cross-border representation may still help resolve the matter.
Jurisdiction determines which Court has the legal authority to hear and decide a case. Factors such as where the child lived, where the parties currently reside, and how long they lived there can all affect which jurisdiction applies.
Our team is here to help you understand your options and take the next step with confidence. Whether you have questions about your situation, need guidance on the right process, or are ready to move forward, we can provide clear support tailored to your needs.
Contact our Client Support Coordinator at 403-229-2365 or click the “Contact Us” button to contact us online.
