Family Law

An uncontested divorce in Alberta typically takes three to four months from the date the application is filed. If the divorce is contested, meaning the parties disagree on custody, support, or property division, it can take a year or longer depending on the complexity of the issues and whether the matter goes to trial.

While you are not legally required to have a lawyer, custody disputes involve important decisions about your children's future. A family lawyer can help you understand your rights under the Family Law Act and Divorce Act, prepare your evidence, and present your case effectively in court or mediation.

Child support in Alberta is calculated using the Federal Child Support Guidelines, which set amounts based on the paying parent's gross annual income and the number of children. In shared parenting arrangements where each parent has the children at least 40% of the time, the calculation may differ. Additional expenses such as childcare, medical costs, and extracurricular activities may be shared proportionally.

A protection order is a court order under Alberta's Protection Against Family Violence Act that restricts a family member from contacting or approaching you. Emergency protection orders can be granted within hours by a provincial court judge, even outside regular court hours. They are designed to provide immediate safety when there is a risk of family violence.

Under the Family Property Act, property acquired during the marriage is generally divided equally between spouses. Property owned before the marriage or received as a gift or inheritance may be exempt, though any increase in value during the marriage may be shared. The family home receives special treatment regardless of when it was acquired.