Calgary SW Divorce Lawyer

Divorce is tough. There are many issues that must be addressed, and the decisions that get made during the process have the power to impact your life for many years to come. Mistakes can be exceptionally costly. They can even impact your ability to maintain a relationship with your children.

If you’re facing a divorce, you need expert help. The team at Merchant Law will help you tackle all of the major issues, including child support, spousal support, property division, and child custody.

How do I file for a divorce in Calgary?

To be eligible for a divorce in Calgary you must first live separate and apart for one year. You can get an immediate divorce only if you can prove adultery or cruelty. If you attempt to prove adultery you must also prove that you did not condone or assist the adultery in any way. This can include allowing the adultery to continue without addressing the problem.

Most couples find it easiest to just work with the one year waiting period. When the waiting period is over you can file a Statement of Claim with the Court of Queen’s Bench. 

You’ll put your initial divorce settlement offer in the Statement, and then serve it on your spouse. If your spouse agrees to your terms then you will have an inexpensive undefended divorce. It’s far more common for spouses to take issue with one or more of the provisions outlined in the agreement, and to file an answer with a settlement offer of their own.

This then leads into a series of settlement conferences that may or may not result in the divorce case going to trial. 

How long does it take to get a divorce in Calgary?

It depends on several factors. Couples who try to stay amiable throughout the process and who are focused on negotiation tend to have faster divorces. Couples who are highly contentious and who push the matter all the way into court tend to have to wait longer. 

Many couples will wait 12 to 18 months before their divorce decree is fully finalized. 

How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Calgary?

It depends on how long the divorce takes, how prepared you are for the divorce, and how complex your case is. Some of our clients have paid as little as $1000. Others have paid up to $25,000.

We are happy to work with you on getting your legal fees paid so that you can handle your divorce the right way. 

Why Merchant Law?

Experience matters if you want a favorable outcome in your divorce case. Our team has for decades helped people just like you. We can often immediately spot the best case and worst case scenarios should your case go to trial, and can help you use that as a benchmark for your settlement negotiations, saving you both time and money.

Get started today by scheduling a consultation. Call (403) 237-7777 today.