Facing a separation, parenting dispute, adoption, or other family change can feel overwhelming. Having an experienced Edmonton family lawyer to explain your options and advocate for you can make a real difference in how you move forward.
At Verhaeghe Law Office, our Edmonton family lawyers provide practical, solutions-focused advice on a wide range of family law issues. We help clients understand their rights and obligations under Alberta and federal law so they can make informed decisions for themselves and their children.
You can reach our team online through our contact page or call our Edmonton office at (587) 410-2500 to arrange a consultation at a time that is convenient for you.
Understanding Family Law In Edmonton
Family law is a broad area that covers many legal issues that affect families and relationships. It can include:
- Divorce and separation
- Decision-making responsibility and parenting time (formerly custody and access)
- Child support and spousal support
- Property division and family property claims
- Prenuptial, postnuptial and cohabitation agreements
- Adoption and guardianship
- And more
In Alberta, key legislation that governs family law includes the federal Divorce Act and the provincial Family Law Act. Property division for married spouses and many Adult Interdependent Partners is also governed by the Family Property Act. These laws set out how parenting, support and property issues are to be resolved.
Our Edmonton family lawyers take the time to explain how these laws apply to your situation in clear, understandable language. We will discuss your goals, outline possible paths forward, and work with you to build a plan that reflects your priorities.
How Our Edmonton Family Lawyers Can Help Clients
There are many reasons you may decide to speak with a family lawyer in Edmonton. Below are some of the most common issues we assist our clients with.
Divorce And Separation
Divorce can be both emotionally and legally complex. A divorce lawyer in Edmonton can help you understand the difference between separation and divorce, the grounds for divorce, and how issues like parenting, support and property are typically addressed.
We handle:
- Contested and uncontested divorces
- Desk divorces where the parties have already reached an agreement
- Divorce mediation and arbitration
- Court applications where agreement is not possible
- And more
We will review your circumstances, including how long you have been married, whether you have children, and your financial situation. Our team can then help you plan next steps and, where appropriate, prepare the documents required to seek a divorce order from the Alberta Court of Justice or Court of King’s Bench.
Decision-Making Responsibility and Parenting Time
Since March 1, 2021, the Divorce Act uses the term decision-making responsibility to refer to who makes important decisions about a child’s health, education, religion, and culture. It also uses parenting time to address when a child is in each parent’s care.
Courts must focus on the best interests of the child when issuing orders about decision-making responsibility and parenting time. Primary consideration is given to the child’s safety, security and well-being. Factors can include each parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs, the history of care, and any family violence.
Often, parents work together to draft a parenting plan that sets out:
- Regular and holiday parenting schedules and pick up/drop off details
- How information will be shared with schools and health care providers
- Travel and relocation notice requirements
- Dispute resolution clauses to help avoid future conflict
Our Edmonton family lawyers help parents negotiate clear, child-focused parenting arrangements, by agreement where possible. When agreement is not possible, we can bring or respond to court applications to seek parenting orders that reflect your child’s best interests.
Child Support
Child support is considered the right of the child, not of the parent. In most cases, base child support is calculated using the Federal Child Support Guidelines, based on the payor’s guideline income and the number of children.
In Alberta, the Maintenance Enforcement Program can register, collect and enforce child support once there is a court order or enforceable agreement.
At Verhaeghe Law Office, our Edmonton child support lawyers can help clients determine their guideline income by reviewing tax returns, pay stubs and financial disclosure. We’ll calculate base support and discuss how special or extraordinary expenses may apply. We also have extensive experience drafting clear payment terms for an agreement or court order, as well as bringing or responding to variation applications if circumstances change over time
We aim to ensure that child support arrangements are fair, up to date, and enforceable.
Spousal Support
Spousal support is not automatically guaranteed. Courts must first decide whether there is entitlement before they look at the amount and duration. Factors included in deliberations often involve the length of the relationship, each spouse’s income and earning capacity, their roles during the relationship, and any economic disadvantage arising from the relationship or its breakdown.
Courts and lawyers often refer to the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines as a tool to identify suggested ranges for amount and duration.
When addressing spousal support concerns, our Edmonton family lawyers will:
- Assess possible entitlement to spousal support early in your file
- Use SSAG software scenarios to show a realistic range of outcomes
- Explain how spousal support may interact with child support and taxes
- Build review or variation clauses into agreements where appropriate
This approach can help you plan your budget and reduce future disputes.
Division Of Family Property
Alberta’s Family Property Act sets out how property and debts are to be divided when married spouses or qualifying Adult Interdependent Partners separate.
Generally, the goal is an equitable sharing of family property, which can include the matrimonial or family home, vehicles, investments, savings, pensions, RRSPs, business interests, and out-of-province or foreign assets.
Some property may be exempt from sharing, such as pre relationship assets, certain gifts or inheritances, and some personal injury awards. Calculating any exemptions and equalization payments can be complicated.
At Verhaeghe Law Office, our family lawyers in Edmonton have decades of combined experience preparing detailed asset and debt inventories, gathering valuations, identifying potential exemptions, and exploring settlement options that reflect our clients’ financial realities.
Where possible, we pursue negotiated or mediated resolutions. When that is not possible, we can represent you in property division applications before the court.
Safety Measures And Family Violence
Your safety and your children’s safety come first. If you are concerned about family violence, threats, or harassment, our Edmonton family lawyers can explain options like emergency or longer-term protection orders, exclusive possession of the family home, and urgent parenting and contact applications.
We can also connect you with community and support resources listed by the Government of Alberta as part of a safety-focused legal plan. Our goal is to ensure our clients are able to handle their family law matters safely and effectively.
Why Choose Verhaeghe Law Office For Your Family Law Matter?
What gets decided in a family law matter can have a lasting impact on your finances, your parenting arrangements, and your long-term plans. Working with an experienced, locally based team can provide clarity during a difficult time.
When you work with Verhaeghe Law Office, you can expect:
- Straightforward explanations of how Alberta family law works
- Assistance with complex forms, financial disclosure and court documents
- Honest, realistic advice about possible outcomes and next steps
- Skilled representation in negotiations, mediation or court, where needed
- A focus on practical, sustainable solutions tailored to your goals
Our firm also assists clients in related areas, such as wills and estates planning and real estate transactions that often arise after a separation, such as selling or refinancing the family home. As a full-service law firm, we can address all matters of your legal matter in-house.
Process Options For Resolving Your Dispute
Our team believes not every family law issue needs to be decided in court. When it comes to your matter, our Edmonton family lawyers can explain different process options, such as negotiation through counsel, mediation, arbitration, med-arb, and court applications, when necessary.
Our Edmonton collaborative family lawyers will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, including cost, timing, privacy, and the level of conflict, so you can choose the process that best fits your situation. Our goal is to save you time, money, and stress, no matter what your family law situation looks like.
What To Expect From Your Family Law Consultation
If you are dealing with a family law issue, our team is ready to meet with you to discuss your situation. You can request an initial consultation by submitting a form through our contact page or by calling (587) 410-2500.
During your consultation, we will listen to your concerns and ask questions to understand your priorities. Once you’ve described your situation, we can identify the type of family law services you may need, such as divorce, parenting, support or property help.
We’ll discuss any urgent issues, such as safety concerns or upcoming deadlines and outline your potential options and next steps so you know what to expect should you decide to move forward.
You will have the opportunity to ask questions about the process, timing, and fees. Our goal is to give you a clearer picture of your situation and how we may be able to assist you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Law In Edmonton
Do we have to go to court for every family law issue?
No. Many families resolve their matters through negotiation, mediation, collaborative processes or other alternative dispute resolution methods. Court is often only used when there is urgency, safety concerns, or when agreement is not possible.
What financial disclosure is usually required?
In most cases, you can expect to provide recent tax returns and Notices of Assessment, pay stubs, bank and investment statements, information about debts, and, if you are self-employed, business financial records. Full and timely disclosure often reduces delay and helps keep costs more predictable.
What is the difference between separation and divorce?
Separation occurs when spouses or partners begin living separately and apart, even if they remain under the same roof. They may start to resolve parenting, support, and property issues at that point. Divorce is the court order that legally ends a marriage under the federal Divorce Act. A couple can be separated without yet being divorced.
What is an Adult Interdependent Partner (AIP)?
Under Alberta’s Adult Interdependent Relationships Act, a person may be an Adult Interdependent Partner if they have lived with someone in a relationship of interdependence for at least three years, have a child together, or have signed an Adult Interdependent Partner Agreement. AIPs in Alberta are similar to common law couples in other provinces, although Adult Interdependent Partners do not necessarily have to sustain a conjugal relationship.
Many of the same family property and support rules that apply to married couples also apply to AIPs, so it is important to seek advice about your status and rights.
What if my spouse or co-parent will not communicate?
If the other party will not respond or communicate constructively, you still have options. Our lawyers can propose structured communication plans, suggest mediation, or bring court applications that set timelines and consequences for non-response.
How long does a family law matter usually take?
Timelines depend on the complexity of the issues, the level of conflict, and how quickly parties provide disclosure and respond. Uncontested matters, such as some uncontested divorces, may be resolved in a few months. Contested matters can take longer. Our family lawyers in Edmonton will give you a realistic plan and discuss potential timelines at the outset of your case.
Speak With An Edmonton Family Lawyer Today
Whether you are considering separation, already in the middle of a dispute, or simply want to plan ahead with an agreement, our Edmonton family lawyers are ready to help you explore your options.
To discuss your situation with a member of our team, contact Verhaeghe Law Office today at (587) 410-2500 or reach out through our online contact form. We serve Edmonton and nearby communities such as St. Albert, Spruce Grove, Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan. Our team will review your information and let you know if we are able to assist.
Please note, the information in this article does not constitute legal advice. It is intended as a general overview of an area of family law. For legal advice, please consult with a lawyer.