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Edmonton Family Lawyer

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    Planning a marriage, getting a divorce, or need to make arrangements for an elderly loved one? Our team of experienced family lawyers is here to help. We’ve helped hundreds of families across Alberta with all of the major issues that impact families, from drafting prenuptial agreements to negotiating all of the major issues of divorces and separations.

    Hiring a family law lawyer is absolutely necessary if you want to get the best outcome from any of these legal issues. They are complex, and it’s easy to make mistakes if you don’t know what you’re doing. 

    How do I get a divorce in Edmonton?

    First, you must be separated for one year, or you must be able to prove that your spouse either committed adultery or was physically or mentally cruel. From there, the process begins when one spouse or the other files a A Statement of Claim for Divorce with the Clerk of the Court of Queen’s Bench. You must also serve your spouse with a copy of the divorce agreement.

    It’s very important to prepare your Statement of Claim with the help of your divorce lawyer. The initial statement contains your initial settlement offer. If your spouse agrees with your suggestions for all the major issues of the divorce, then you will have the rare, uncontested divorce. If your spouse does not then they will file an answer to the claim, and the negotiation process will begin, as will an examination for discovery.

    Eventually you and your spouse will either come to an agreement or the matter will go to court. Even if the divorce is uncontested, a judge will have to review your settlement to ensure it is in full compliance with federal and provincial family law. 

    How much does a prenup cost?

    The typical prenup costs anywhere from $499 to $2000. Compare this to the cost of a typical divorce in Alberta, which can range as high as $25,000 when the divorce is contested and spouses can’t agree on the major issues of asset division, child custody, child support, and spousal support.

    While a prenuptial agreement doesn’t address all of these issues (it cannot address child custody, for example) it will address most of them. 

    Working with a lawyer to create your prenuptial agreement ensures that the agreement is valid and enforceable in court. That’s the key to making sure the agreement plays out exactly as you expect it to. 

    Why Merchant Law?

    Work with lawyers who have decades of experience in family law, and whose work on the subject has been published in prestigious journals. We can help you with every stage of your family law matter, negotiating the best possible settlements for you and fighting hard to protect your best interests, your finances, and your relationship with your children. 

    We handle all aspects of family law, including spousal support, asset division, child support, and child custody. We also handle modification requests.

    Not sure whether we’re the right lawyers for you? Call (780) 474-7777 to get a free family lawyer consultation today. We’ll answer all of your questions and help you determine your next steps. 

    Please note: The information provided on this website is Not Legal Advice. The information may or may not be accurate. The information is for discussion purposes only. Reliance upon any information provided would not be grounds to advance a claim against Merchant Law for providing any advice. In order to get a formal legal opinion upon which you may rely about any specific fact scenario, you would have to first retain the services of a lawyer and request a formal legal opinion.