Family Law

What independent legal advice actually involves, why Alberta agreements are set aside without it, and what an ILA appointment looks like.

How the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines produce a range for amount and duration — and why the number is a starting point, not a rule.

Equal parenting time does not cancel child support. How the 40% threshold, the set-off calculation and the Contino factors actually work.

Separating after 50 turns on the assets that took a career to build: workplace pensions, RRSPs, CPP credits and the family home.

How an Emergency Protection Order is granted in Alberta, what it can order, the mandatory court review, and what to do if one is granted against you.

The clauses an Alberta separation agreement needs to cover — property, debts, support, parenting — and the ones people forget until it is too late.

When parents separate, reaching an agreement about how to raise their children isn’t always the end of conflict. Disagreements over schedules, holidays, or day-to-day decisions can continue long after court orders or parenting plans are in place. For some Alberta families, these ongoing disputes make co-parenting exhausting and emotionally draining.

Divorce is rarely simple — especially when trust has already been broken. One of the biggest sources of conflict in Alberta family law is financial disclosure. When one spouse suspects the other of hiding income or assets, it can derail negotiations, delay settlements, and increase legal costs dramatically.

Not every committed couple in Alberta chooses marriage — and that’s perfectly legal. Many couples live together for years, share finances, raise children, and build property together without ever signing a marriage certificate. But when those relationships end, the question of who owns what can become complicated.

Few family law issues create as much stress and uncertainty as when one parent wants to move after separation or divorce. Whether it’s a new job, a fresh start, or family support elsewhere, relocation can deeply affect parenting time and a child’s stability.

Alberta’s new Family Justice Strategy is changing how families approach separation and divorce. Instead of defaulting to court battles, the strategy focuses on early resolution, mediation, and support programs that reduce cost, stress, and delay. For Edmonton families, it means faster access to help — and less conflict during an already difficult time.

Many Alberta parents assume child support stops automatically when a child turns 18. In reality, support can continue when a young person remains dependent—such as while attending post-secondary school or living with a disability. Understanding how Alberta law defines dependency helps parents plan ahead and avoid conflict.