Areas of Law

 

Divorce

We act for clients regarding all legal issues associated with Divorce. This includes: custody, access, child support, spousal support, uncontested and contested divorces as well as variations to prior orders.

Matrimonial Assessment™

This service is completely unique to our firm and is of great benefit to anyone who has legal family law issues. One of our lawyers meets with you to receive a detailed history of all relevant facts from you. Based upon the facts that you provide we will provide you with the following:

• A list of the legal issues that you are facing;
• Our legal opinion on each legal issue;
• Our legal advice on how to proceed on each issue;
• Strategy on how to place yourself in the best legal position;
• Options on how to resolve the issues;
• Documentation and information on the issues you presented;
• The Child Protector ™ Video;
• Answers to all of your questions; and
• Referrals to agencies that may assist you.

 

Negotiation

A very large percentage of divorce cases are negotiated and settled without ever being heard in front of a judge. Having a skilled negotiator on your side can be your most effective tool in reaching an appropriate settlement with minimal court costs and legal fees. Our lawyers are experienced negotiators. Lonny Balbi, Q.C., trained at the Harvard Negotiation Project at the Harvard Law School. We know how to best handle the situations that arise during the course of negotiations.

Mediation

This is a process where a neutral third party facilitates the Parties in reaching an agreement on all issues. A family law mediator must be properly trained and certified. A good mediator will understand the legal issues you are facing, will be able to facilitate productive discussion between you and the other party, and will be able to assist you in reaching a resolution that works for you and your children.

One of our lawyers, Lonny Balbi, QC, has been an accredited Family Mediator since 1992 and has acted as a Panelist for a number of Alberta Family Mediation Society Conferences.

Collaborative Law

In collaborative law, the parties and their lawyers formally commit in writing to a specialized process designed to resolve family law issues without court intervention. Prior to the collaborative process, a contract is signed by both parties and their lawyers, agreeing to avoid litigation, provide complete, open and honest disclosure of all information, to use joint experts where needed (i.e. property appraisals or evaluations on custody/access issues) and to negotiate in good faith without threatening litigation. If one of the parties later takes the matter to court, then the two lawyers must withdraw and both parties must get new lawyers.

Litigation

Going to court can be very intimidating for clients. That is where our experience in court can assist you. Our lawyers have regularly appeared at all levels of court and we are comfortable in doing so. We know how to best present your case to a Judge to obtain appropriate results.

Separation Agreements

After you have reached an agreement on all legal issues that arise between you and your spouse upon separation or divorce, you should have that agreement properly drafted into a legally binding Separation Agreement. When it comes to drafting Agreements, it is not the case that any Agreement will do. Your Agreement must be thorough and address all relevant issues, be clear and understandable, and it must be enforceable.

Pre-nuptial Agreements

If you have a significant amount of assets prior to your marriage or you wish to handle future financial issues in a predetermined way, you should consider having a Pre-nuptial Agreement drafted to determine how those finances are dealt with if you should separate. Without having this Agreement, your property will be divided according to the laws of Alberta, and your spouse may receive property that neither of you intended for him or her to have. A properly drafted Pre-nuptial Agreement can seal the intention that you have prior to your marriage.

Cohabitation Agreements

When making the decision to move in with someone, many people do not consider the legal effect that this may have. You may be surprised to learn that your partner is entitled to a portion of your property or to support. If you do not intend that your partner will be able to receive a division of your property, then you should consider having a Cohabitation Agreement.

Step-parent Adoption

When a couple has children from a previous relationship, sometimes the new spouse wants to adopt those children. This is known as a Step-parent Adoption. We help these couples complete this process in a positive and effective manner.

Wills and Estates

Planning for your family in the event of accident or death is very important. We can guide you through the process of dealing with your financial matters in the event of some incapacity (an enduring Power of Attorney), dealing with your living arrangements and other personal matters (Personal Directive) or what happens upon your death (a Will). Further, we can guide you through the complicated process of administering an Estate after the death of a family member.