What Is Family Docket Court in Edmonton?

Family law is, by its nature, highly personal. When navigating matters of divorce or separation, particularly where children are involved, individuals may face some of the most emotional decision-making challenges of their lives. Court involvement may be necessary to help resolve disputes on crucial matters such as parenting time and decision-making responsibility. 

Family Docket Court in Edmonton is an important step in the process of a family law case involving the Court of King’s Bench. For more specific information, including how you might access and navigate Family Docket Court, contact our Edmonton family lawyers to schedule a dedicated consultation.

What Is Family Docket Court?

If you have a family law matter, including a divorce file, that involves the Court of King’s Bench, you must schedule a court date with Family Docket Court before proceeding to a formal hearing. Family Docket Court is intended as a place for the Court to consider your matter, and assess the specific needs of your case. They will then direct you to next steps, with a focus on making your process the most efficient it can be, and reducing the amount of conflict to which children are exposed.

Family Docket Court may direct you to an alternative dispute resolution process, such as mediation. When is family mediation a good option? In mediation, an impartial third party helps guide discussion, with the goal of arriving at a mutually agreed-upon resolution. Therefore, a willingness to collaborate is essential.

If Family Docket Court determines that alternative dispute resolution may not be appropriate for your situation, they may direct you to a more formal court process. This may apply in a case where the matter is urgent, or if you have already attempted a dispute resolution process that did not yield agreement.

What Happens In Family Docket Court?

Typically, the Family Docket Court process begins with the Court assessing the particulars of your case. They will examine the possibility of a Consent Order on the given issues. A Consent Order is a record of an agreement the relevant parties have reached, and it outlines what the parties have agreed to.

If no agreement is possible at this moment, and the parties have not yet attempted alternative dispute resolution, Family Docket Court may refer the parties to seek mediation, an Early Intervention Case Conference, Family Resolution Council, or another form of dispute resolution. This decision will depend on the particular circumstances, including the degree to which the given matter is urgent, and whether the relationship between the parties is appropriate to seek alternative dispute resolution.

If it is appropriate to do so, Family Docket Court may schedule the given matter for a formal Court process. This may include desk application, chambers, special chambers, and more.

The Court will complete a Family Docket Court Endorsement that outlines their recommendations based on the assessment. This will be provided to the parties and their Edmonton family lawyers, where relevant. Where required, a formal Order may also be prepared.

Sometimes, due to circumstances, the family law matter may not be ready to proceed. In such a case, Family Docket Court may adjourn the matter to a future date.

Each case is unique, and the particular needs of you and your family may vary from those of others. Contact our Edmonton family lawyers today to schedule your initial consultation, and discuss what process may best serve you.

How To Get Into Family Docket Court

The process of getting into Family Docket Court in Edmonton is fairly straightforward. Take the following steps:

1. Select a date from the Family Docket Court online availability. To save time, it may be prudent to coordinate so that all parties involved are available.
2. Complete a Notice to Attend Family Docket Court and a filing request form.
3. File the documents with the Clerk, as well as sending a copy to the other party.

For more specific information, and to see how Verhaeghe Law might be able to assist you through the process, contact our Edmonton family lawyers today to book your consultation.

Contact Our Edmonton Family Lawyers Today For a Consultation

Separation can be a tremendous change for a family to undergo, and the stress of administrative tasks and important decision-making can be overwhelming when combined with the understandable emotional toll of a relationship’s end. You do not have to navigate the legal side of a divorce or separation alone. 

At Verhaeghe Law, our Edmonton family lawyers are here to listen, and to see how we may help clarify your process. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation.

** Please note, this article is intended as a general overview on the subject of family law, and is not intended to be legal advice. If you are seeking legal advice, please consult with an Alberta family lawyer.