Watching your child take the next step into post-secondary education is a proud moment for any parent. But for separated or divorced parents, it can also bring financial stress and uncertainty. Questions about who pays for tuition, housing, and other costs often arise—and the answers aren’t always straightforward. In Alberta, child support obligations don’t always end when a child turns 18.

In Alberta, child support is more than just a financial agreement, it's a legal right that belongs to the child. Under the Federal Child Support Guidelines, parents are required to contribute to their child’s upbringing, ensuring their financial needs are met after separation.

When people think about planning for the future, wills and estate plans are often the first things that come to mind. But there’s another essential document that is just as important: a Power of Attorney. A Power of Attorney is a legal document that gives someone you trust the authority to make decisions on your behalf. Usually these decisions are financial decisions.

Contentious divorces can be incredibly expensive and prolonged. While it is recommended that parties try to resolve their disputes outside of court, sometimes court is necessary when a resolution cannot be reached. When a family matter ends up in court, a key question is costs: the ability of one party to recover some of the legal fees they spent. In Alberta, the rules for awarding costs are outlined in the Alberta Rules of Court.

When most people hear “Adult Interdependent Relationship,” they assume it’s just Alberta’s version of common-law marriage. That’s partly true, but also misleading. In Alberta, you can be in an Adult Interdependent Relationship (AIP) with someone you're romantically involved with. However, you can also be in such a relationship with someone you’ve never even dated, such as a close friend, a roommate, or even a sibling.

In Alberta, the Family Property Act governs the division of property upon the breakdown of a relationship, whether the couple was married or were in an Adult Interdependent Relationship. This Family Property Act replaced the previous Matrimonial Property Act and expanded the presumption of equal division to include property acquired by partners in unmarried relationships.

Separating from a partner is challenging enough, but when family property involves corporate assets, things can quickly become complicated. This blog provides clarity on how Alberta law approaches the division of corporate assets during separation, ensuring you know your rights and obligations.

Being named an executor  (sometimes called a "personal representative") of an estate involves important legal, financial, and personal tasks. Whether you're preparing your own will or have been appointed as an executor, it’s essential to understand what this role entails. An executor is the person appointed in a will to carry out the deceased’s final wishes, settle their affairs, and distribute assets to beneficiaries.

One of the most important questions separating couples in Alberta must answer is: When did we separate? While this may seem like a simple question, the legal implications are anything but. Your date of separation can affect everything from divorce eligibility and property division to spousal support and which legislation applies to your case.

If you're navigating a separation or family dispute in Alberta, mediation can offer a faster, more affordable alternative to court. Mediation is a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) where a neutral third party—known as a mediator—helps both sides reach a mutually agreeable solution.

When planning your estate, one of the most common questions we hear is: Should I use a will, a trust, or both? While most Albertans are familiar with wills, fewer understand how trusts work—or when they might be the better choice.

In Alberta, parenting arrangements are determined based on one key factor: the best interests of the child. While many parents may use alcohol or cannabis recreationally, excessive or problematic substance use can raise serious concerns during a separation or custody dispute.

When family relationships cross international borders, child custody disputes can become significantly more complex—especially if one parent removes a child from Canada without the other's consent. In such cases, parents may be facing what’s legally defined as international child abduction.

Writing a will is one of the most important things you can do to protect your family and your future. But in Alberta, many people unintentionally make mistakes that could leave their loved ones dealing with confusion, conflict—or even court battles.

When it comes to drafting a Will, one of the fundamental legal requirements is that the person making the will — known as the testator —...