Alberta’s 2025 Family Law Reforms

What Edmonton Families Should Know

Family law affects some of the most important parts of life—your children, your home, your financial security. In 2025, Alberta introduced reforms designed to modernize the system and reflect how families live today. For Edmonton parents and couples, these changes touch on everything from how property is divided to how courts understand the responsibilities of parents after separation.

Property Division and Common-Law Partners

One of the biggest changes in recent years is the treatment of common-law relationships, known in Alberta as “adult interdependent partnerships.” Under the Family Property Act, the rules that once applied mainly to married spouses now apply with more clarity to common-law partners. This means that property acquired during the relationship is generally subject to division, even if the couple never married.

For many Edmonton families, this change closes a long-standing gap. Couples who lived together for years may have assumed that the end of a relationship meant each person simply walked away with what was in their own name. That is no longer the case. Courts can divide property fairly between both partners, and there are now clearer rules about how and when to make a claim.

Child Support Beyond Age 18

Another area that families should pay close attention to is child support. Traditionally, support ended when a child reached adulthood or completed post-secondary studies. The reforms recognize that not all young people are able to become independent at 18. If an adult child remains dependent because of illness, disability, or another serious reason, parents may still be required to provide financial support.

This change reflects a growing understanding that support should match real family circumstances, not rigid age limits. For parents in Edmonton, it means that separation agreements and court orders may now extend support longer than expected.

Parenting and Decision-Making

Alberta courts have moved away from the old language of “custody” and “access.” Parenting arrangements are now described in terms of decision-making responsibility and parenting time. Decision-making refers to who has the authority to make major choices about a child’s health, education, and well-being, while parenting time focuses on where the child lives and how much time they spend with each parent.

The reforms also highlight issues that judges must consider when determining what is in a child’s best interests. Family violence, the child’s views (when they are mature enough to express them), and cultural identity—including Indigenous heritage—all play a larger role in parenting decisions. For separating families, this means that parenting plans need to be detailed, thoughtful, and centred on the child rather than on parental conflict.

Spousal Support Under the New Lens

Spousal support remains one of the most difficult areas of family law, and the 2025 reforms have not changed that. What has shifted, however, is how courts weigh certain factors. Judges are paying closer attention to the sacrifices made during the relationship, particularly when one spouse stepped back from a career to care for children or support the other’s work. They are also considering how quickly each spouse can reasonably be expected to become self-sufficient after separation.

For people in new relationships, it is important to know that cohabitation with a new partner can still affect spousal support entitlements. The reforms encourage a more nuanced approach, aiming to balance fairness with practical reality.

Modernizing the Court Process

Beyond the substance of the law, Alberta has been working to make the family justice system more accessible. Courts are relying more on digital tools, from electronic filing of documents to video hearings. Mediation and alternative dispute resolution are being encouraged before cases reach trial. Parenting plans increasingly include “virtual visitation,” such as regular video calls, to keep children connected with both parents.

For Edmonton families, these changes may mean less time in a courtroom and more opportunities to resolve disputes in a flexible, cost-effective way.

What Hasn’t Changed

Despite these reforms, some fundamentals remain the same. The one-year separation requirement for divorce is still in place, unless you are relying on adultery or cruelty. Property that you owned before the relationship, along with gifts and inheritances, is still considered exempt—although any increase in value during the relationship can be divided. Most importantly, the guiding principle in every parenting dispute continues to be the best interests of the child.

Preparing for the Future

For families in Edmonton, the reforms underscore the importance of planning ahead. If you are considering separation, now is the time to gather financial records, think carefully about your children’s needs, and consider whether a written agreement could help avoid disputes later. Mediation and collaborative approaches may be faster and less stressful than litigation, but it remains essential to have clear legal advice before making decisions that affect your future.

Why These Changes Matter

The 2025 family law reforms show that Alberta is moving toward a more flexible and realistic approach to family breakdown. They acknowledge that common-law couples deserve clear rules, that support should reflect real dependency, and that children’s needs must be central. For Edmonton families, the message is clear: separation and divorce are still challenging, but the law is adapting to better reflect how people actually live.

If you are facing a separation or trying to make sense of what these reforms mean for you, speaking with a family lawyer can help you protect your rights and build a plan that works for your family.