A family lawyer in Calgary handles legal matters involving divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, and the division of family property under Alberta’s Family Law Act and the federal Divorce Act. A family lawyer at Centobin Law Office in Calgary provides legal representation to individuals and families navigating separation, parenting disputes, and financial obligations — guiding each client toward a fair resolution while protecting their rights under Alberta law.
You need a family lawyer in Calgary if you are separating from a spouse or partner, facing a divorce, disputing parenting arrangements, calculating child or spousal support, dividing property, or responding to a family law court application. Under the 2026 Family Focused Protocol, early legal advice is especially important because the mandatory pre-court requirements — including ADR, financial disclosure, and the PAS course — must be completed correctly before the Court of King’s Bench will hear your case.
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A family lawyer in Calgary advises clients on their legal rights during separation or divorce, negotiates parenting and support agreements, drafts prenuptial and cohabitation contracts, represents clients in mediation and court proceedings, and enforces or varies existing court orders.
In Alberta, a family lawyer also ensures compliance with the 2026 Family Focused Protocol — including coordinating Alternative Dispute Resolution, preparing Mandatory Intake and Triage packages, and representing clients at settlement conferences before the Court of King’s Bench.
Child custody in Calgary is determined through parenting orders under Alberta’s Family Law Act, which replaced the traditional “custody and access” framework with a guardianship-based system focused on the best interests of the child.
Child support in Calgary is calculated using either the Alberta Child Support Guidelines or the Federal Child Support Guidelines, depending on whether the parents are divorcing. Both sets of guidelines produce the same table amounts.
Divorce and separation in Calgary require different legal pathways depending on the nature of the relationship and whether both parties agree on the terms. The federal Divorce Act governs divorce for married couples.
Spousal support in Calgary is available to married spouses under the Divorce Act and to adult interdependent partners under the Alberta Family Law Act. The entitlement, amount, and duration of support depend on the length of the relationship.
Family law in Alberta is the area of legal practice that governs relationships between family members — including spouses, adult interdependent partners, parents, and children — when those relationships form, change, or end. Alberta’s family law framework differs from those of other Canadian provinces in several important ways that affect how cases are resolved in Calgary courts. Alberta’s Family Law Act replaced the older Domestic Relations Act and Parentage and Maintenance Act. It introduced modern concepts that differ significantly from the terminology used in other provinces.
Guardianship replaces custody. In Alberta, the ability to make decisions about a child is tied to guardianship status, not a traditional “custody” label. Both parents are typically guardians unless a court orders otherwise.
Parenting time replaces access. The Family Law Act does not use the word “access.” A guardian’s time with their child is called “parenting time,” and a non-guardian’s time is called “contact.”
Adult interdependent partners have standing. Alberta’s Adult Interdependent Relationships Act recognizes unmarried partners who have lived together in a relationship of interdependence for three or more years, or who have a child together and share lives with some permanence. These partners have legal rights to support and, in some cases, property division — even without marriage.
Both provincial and federal legislation governs family law in Alberta. The Alberta Family Law Act applies to parenting, guardianship, child support, and spousal support for all relationships. The federal Divorce Act applies to married couples seeking divorce. The Family Property Act governs property division for both married spouses and adult interdependent partners. Which law applies depends on whether the couple was married and whether divorce is being sought — a family law lawyer at Centobin Law Office in Calgary determines the correct legislative framework for each client’s situation.
Divorce and separation in Calgary require different legal pathways depending on the nature of the relationship and whether both parties agree on the terms. The federal Divorce Act governs divorce for married couples, while the Alberta Family Law Act governs separation-related issues for both married and unmarried partners.
To file for divorce in Alberta, at least one spouse must have been ordinarily resident in the province for a minimum of one year before filing. The only ground for divorce under the Divorce Act is marriage breakdown, established by a one-year separation period, adultery, or cruelty.
Uncontested divorce occurs when both spouses agree on all issues — parenting, support, and property division. This can proceed through the Desk Process under the new Family Focused Protocol, in which a justice reviews the paperwork without requiring a hearing. An uncontested divorce with a well-prepared agreement can be finalized within a few months.
Contested divorce occurs when spouses cannot agree on one or more issues. Under the 2026 Family Focused Protocol, contested divorces must complete mandatory Alternative Dispute Resolution before a justice will hear the case. This means parties must attempt mediation, collaborative law, or another approved resolution method before proceeding to court.
Separation without divorce is common for couples who need immediate resolution on parenting and support issues but are not ready to finalize a divorce. The Alberta Family Law Act allows parenting orders, support orders, and exclusive possession orders to be made without a divorce filing. Adult interdependent partners who separate follow the same process for parenting and support — no divorce filing is needed because no marriage existed.
When separation involves allegations of domestic violence charges in Calgary, the family law and criminal law proceedings run simultaneously. Criminal no-contact conditions can affect parenting time, and Emergency Protection Orders under the Protection Against Family Violence Act add another layer of complexity. The Calgary family law team at Centobin Law Office coordinates family and criminal matters to ensure conditions in one proceeding do not undermine a client’s position in the other. A divorce lawyer in Calgary at Centobin Law Office guides clients through both uncontested and contested proceedings, ensuring compliance with Alberta’s mandatory pre-court requirements.
How long does a divorce take in Calgary? An uncontested divorce in Calgary — where both spouses agree on parenting, support, and property — typically takes three to six months through the Desk Process under the Family Focused Protocol. A contested divorce where one or more issues are disputed takes 12 to 24 months on average, depending on the complexity of the case and whether it proceeds to trial. The 2026 Family Focused Protocol targets resolution within 18 months of the initial filing, but cases involving business valuations, contested parenting, or multiple expert reports can extend beyond that timeline.
Child custody in Calgary is determined through parenting orders under Alberta’s Family Law Act, which replaced the traditional “custody and access” framework with a guardianship-based system focused on the best interests of the child. A child custody lawyer at Centobin Law Office in Calgary helps parents establish, modify, or enforce parenting orders that define decision-making responsibilities and parenting time.
Alberta’s guardianship model means that both parents are presumed to be guardians of their child, regardless of whether they were married or living together. Each guardian has equal rights to make decisions about the child’s daily care, education, health, and religious upbringing — unless a court order or agreement specifies otherwise.
A parenting order addresses two core issues: parenting responsibilities — which guardian makes specific categories of decisions about the child? The court can allocate all responsibilities to one guardian, divide them by category, or require joint decision-making on all matters. Parenting time — how the child’s time is divided between guardians, ranging from equal shared parenting (50/50) to primary residence arrangements.
When parents cannot agree on parenting arrangements, the Court applies the best interests of the child test under Section 18 of the Family Law Act. Factors include the child’s physical, psychological, and emotional needs; the benefit of stability; the nature of the child’s relationship with each guardian; and any history of family violence. Alberta courts do not presume that mothers or fathers are better parents — the decision is based entirely on what arrangement best serves the child.
Child support in Calgary is calculated using either the Alberta Child Support Guidelines or the Federal Child Support Guidelines, depending on whether the parents are divorcing. Both sets of guidelines produce the same table amounts — the distinction determines which court has jurisdiction and which legislation frames the order.
Child support in Alberta is based on the paying parent’s gross annual income and the number of children. The Child Support Guidelines produce a base table amount that is mandatory — judges must follow the guidelines unless the parents agree to a different amount that still meets the child’s needs. For incomes above $150,000, the court has discretion to order an amount that differs from the tables.
Child support obligations in Alberta can extend beyond age 18. Under the Family Law Act, a child who is a full-time student, has a disability, or is otherwise unable to withdraw from parental support remains eligible for child support with no fixed age cap.
Section 7 (special) expenses are costs beyond the base table amount that parents share in proportion to their incomes. These include childcare costs required for employment or education, health insurance premiums, extraordinary extracurricular activities, and post-secondary education expenses.
Shared parenting arrangements (where the child spends at least 40% of the time with each parent) trigger a different calculation method. The court considers both parents’ incomes, the table amounts each would pay, and the increased costs of maintaining two homes for the child. A child support lawyer in Calgary at Centobin Law Office calculates support obligations, negotiates agreements, and files applications for variation when income or circumstances change.
Spousal support in Calgary is available to married spouses under the Divorce Act and to adult interdependent partners under the Alberta Family Law Act. The entitlement, amount, and duration of support depend on the length of the relationship, the roles each partner played, and each person’s ability to become financially self-sufficient.
The Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (SSAG) provide a framework that Calgary courts rely on to calculate support ranges. These guidelines are not legislation — they are advisory — but Alberta courts routinely use them to establish a starting point for negotiation and adjudication.
Three recognized bases for spousal support entitlement exist in Canadian law: Compensatory support — one spouse sacrificed career or earning capacity to benefit the family. Non-compensatory (needs-based) support — one spouse cannot meet their basic financial needs post-separation. Contractual support — the parties agreed to specific support terms in a prenuptial, cohabitation, or separation agreement.
Adult interdependent partners in Alberta have the same entitlement to support as married spouses under the Family Law Act. This is a significant distinction from provinces where common-law partners have limited or no support rights. A spousal support lawyer in Calgary at Centobin Law Office ensures that both married and unmarried clients understand their entitlements and obligations.
Division of family property in Calgary is governed by Alberta’s Family Property Act, which came into force on January 1, 2020, replacing the former Matrimonial Property Act. The Family Property Act extended property division rights to adult interdependent partners — a change that aligned Alberta with the property rights already available to married spouses. The Family Property Act operates on a presumption of equal division. All property acquired during the relationship is presumed to be divided equally between the parties. Property owned before the relationship, gifts, inheritances, and certain insurance proceeds are exempt from division — but any increase in the value of exempt property during the relationship may be subject to sharing.
Key property categories in Calgary family law cases include:
The family home — often the most significant asset. Even if one spouse owned the home before the relationship, the other spouse may have a claim to the increase in value during the relationship. The Dower Act also gives a married spouse the right to prevent the sale of the family home without consent.
Pensions and retirement assets — the portion of pension value accumulated during the relationship is divisible. Alberta’s Pension Benefits Standards Act allows pension division at source, meaning the plan administrator can split the pension directly.
Business interests — if one or both spouses own a business, the value attributable to the relationship period is divisible. Valuation typically requires a Chartered Business Valuator and can be one of the most contested aspects of property division.
Debts — family debts incurred during the relationship are also subject to division. Debts incurred for family purposes are generally shared equally.
A property division lawyer in Calgary at Centobin Law Office ensures accurate identification, valuation, and division of all family property in compliance with the Family Property Act. For couples who want to define property and support terms before a relationship begins — or during an existing one — prenuptial and cohabitation agreements provide that control.
Prenuptial and cohabitation agreements in Calgary allow couples to define how property, support, and financial obligations will be handled if the relationship ends. These agreements are legally enforceable under the Family Property Act and can override the default equal-division rules — provided they meet specific legal requirements.
A prenuptial agreement (also called a marriage agreement) is signed before marriage. It typically addresses the division of property, spousal support terms, and the treatment of assets each person brings into the marriage. In Alberta, prenuptial agreements must be in writing, signed by both parties, and each party should receive independent legal advice before signing.
A cohabitation agreement serves the same purpose for unmarried partners. Since Alberta’s Family Property Act extends property-division rights to adult interdependent partners, a cohabitation agreement is the primary tool for partners seeking to modify the default equal-division presumption.
Courts in Alberta may set aside a domestic agreement if one party can demonstrate that it was signed under duress, that one party failed to disclose significant assets, that one party did not understand the nature and consequences of the agreement, or that the agreement is unconscionable. The family law lawyer at Centobin Law Office in Calgary drafts, reviews, and negotiates prenuptial and cohabitation agreements designed to withstand judicial scrutiny.
The best way to resolve a family law dispute in Calgary depends on the level of conflict between the parties, the complexity of the issues, and whether children are involved. Alberta’s 2026 Family Focused Protocol now requires most parties to attempt resolution outside of court before a justice will hear the case, making it essential to understand the available options before filing.
Mediation involves a neutral third-party mediator who helps both parties reach an agreement. The mediator does not make decisions — the parties retain control over the outcome. Mediation is typically the fastest and least expensive method of resolution, and agreements reached in mediation are formalized as consent orders or separation agreements. In Calgary, mediation can address parenting, support, and property division simultaneously.
Collaborative law is a structured negotiation process where each party has their own lawyer, and all four participants commit to settling without going to court. If the collaborative process fails, both lawyers must withdraw from the case, which creates a strong incentive for all parties to negotiate in good faith. Collaborative law is well-suited to cases where the parties want to preserve a co-parenting relationship.
Arbitration is a private process where a neutral arbitrator makes a binding decision on the disputed issues. Arbitration offers greater scheduling flexibility than court proceedings and allows the parties to select an arbitrator with specific family law expertise. Under Alberta law, arbitrated family law decisions are enforceable as court orders.
Litigation is the court-based process in which a judge makes final decisions on all unresolved issues. Litigation is necessary when one party is uncooperative, when there are allegations of family violence or asset concealment, or when other resolution methods have failed. Under the Family Focused Protocol, litigation is the final step — not the first.
Most family law cases in Calgary are resolved without a trial. Mediation and collaborative law resolve the majority of disputes at lower cost and in less time than litigation. The 2026 Family Focused Protocol reinforces this by requiring Alternative Dispute Resolution before court access is granted. Families who engage in ADR early and with realistic expectations achieve faster, more predictable outcomes. The Calgary family law team at Centobin Law Office advises clients on the resolution method most likely to achieve their goals — and provides representation across all four pathways.
As of January 2, 2026, all family law matters in the Court of King’s Bench must follow the Family Focused Protocol. Cases filed before this date must also transition to the new system. The previous Family Docket Court in Calgary and Edmonton no longer operates. The Family Focused Protocol represents the most significant procedural change to family law in Alberta in decades — redesigned to reduce adversarial litigation, protect children from prolonged court conflict, and move cases toward resolution within an 18-month target timeline.
The Family Focused Protocol has three pathways:
The standard route for most cases. After mandatory requirements are met, the applicant files a Mandatory Intake and Triage (MIT) package. A Case Management Officer reviews the package for compliance, and the matter proceeds to an MIT Conference before a designated Family Roster Justice.
For matters that can be resolved without a hearing, such as joint (uncontested) divorces where all issues are settled by agreement.
For emergencies involving safety risks to a spouse or child, such as abduction risk or immediate harm. This pathway bypasses the standard mandatory requirements.
The FFP fundamentally changes how families access the Court of King’s Bench. Filing a court application without completing the mandatory requirements will result in the file being rejected or paused by the Case Management Officer. Families who prepare early — completing the PAS course, engaging in ADR, and organizing financial disclosure — will move through the system faster and at lower cost. The Calgary family law team at Centobin Law Office guides clients through every FFP requirement, coordinates ADR sessions, prepares MIT packages, and provides full representation at conferences, settlement meetings, and trials.
Before a justice will hear any family law matter under the FFP, both parties must complete four mandatory steps:
All cases involving children require both parents to complete this free Government of Alberta program. The certificate of completion must be dated within the last two years.
Parties must attempt mediation, collaborative law, or another approved resolution method within six months before filing. This requirement applies to all issues — parenting, support, property division, and divorce.
Both parties must exchange complete financial disclosure before court involvement, including income documentation, asset valuations, and debt statements.
Self-represented parties with children under 18 must meet with a Family Court Counsellor in areas where Family Justice Services are available.
The outcome of a family law case in Calgary depends on the specific issues in dispute, the quality of the evidence, the applicable legal framework, and how well prepared the case is for the process it enters. No family lawyer can guarantee a specific result — but an experienced lawyer can identify the strengths and risks in a case and develop a strategy that maximizes the likelihood of a favourable outcome.
Cases where both parents are competent, involved, and willing to co-parent have the strongest chance of achieving a shared parenting arrangement. Cases involving documented family violence, substance abuse, or a history of one parent obstructing the other’s time with the child will favour the parent who can demonstrate stability and the willingness to support the child’s relationship with both guardians.
Support calculations under the Child Support Guidelines are largely formula-driven. The outcome is predictable when income is clearly documented. Disputes arise when one parent underreports income, is self-employed with complex finances, or disputes the characterization of expenses. Well-documented income evidence is the strongest factor in achieving an accurate support order.
The presumption of equal division under the Family Property Act means that most cases result in an approximately equal split. Cases that deviate from an equal division typically involve disputes over exempt property (pre-relationship assets, inheritances, gifts) or disagreements over business valuations. Accurate valuations and thorough disclosure drive the outcome.
The vast majority of family law cases in Calgary settle before trial. Cases that proceed to trial incur higher costs and yield less predictable outcomes because the decision is made by a judge rather than negotiated between the parties. The 2026 Family Focused Protocol is designed to resolve more cases at the settlement conference stage.
The strongest predictor of success in a Calgary family law case is preparation. Clients who organize complete financial disclosure, engage in ADR with realistic expectations, retain experienced legal representation early, and present well-documented evidence achieve better outcomes — whether the case resolves through negotiation, mediation, or trial. A family lawyer at Centobin Law Office in Calgary assesses the strengths and risks of each case during the initial consultation and develops a strategy calibrated to the specific facts and applicable legislation.
A family lawyer in Calgary at Centobin Law Office represents clients at every stage of a family law matter — from the initial consultation through negotiation, mediation, court filings, settlement conferences, and trial. The approach begins with identifying the applicable legislation, calculating support entitlements, assessing property division, and developing a resolution strategy aligned with the client’s goals.
Centobin Law Office provides family law services across the full range of Alberta family matters:
What distinguishes the Calgary family lawyer at Centobin Law Office is the firm’s multi-practice capacity. Family law cases frequently intersect with other legal areas:
When domestic violence allegations arise during separation, criminal charges and family law proceedings run in parallel. Centobin Law Office provides representation as a criminal defence lawyer in Calgary, ensuring that bail conditions, no-contact orders, and criminal trial strategy are coordinated with the family law file.
Family breakdown can trigger immigration consequences. A sponsored spouse whose relationship ends may face removal proceedings or loss of status. The firm’s immigration lawyer in Calgary works alongside the family law team to protect immigration status during separation.
When a family member is injured in an accident during separation, the settlement or award may become a divisible asset. The personal injury lawyer in Calgary coordinates with the family law team on timing and structure.
Alberta replaced the terms “custody” and “access” with “guardianship,” “parenting time,” and “contact” under the Family Law Act. Guardianship refers to a parent’s legal authority to make decisions about their child. Both parents are presumed to be guardians unless a court orders otherwise. Parenting time describes the schedule of when each guardian has the child, and contact refers to time spent with a non-guardian, such as a grandparent.
Alberta does not legally require a lawyer for an uncontested divorce, but having a family lawyer review the agreement ensures it is legally enforceable, addresses all required issues, and protects both parties’ rights. Errors in paperwork or incomplete agreements can create problems that are expensive to fix later.
Alberta’s Family Law Act does not favour one parent over another based on gender. The court applies the best interests of the child test, considering factors such as the child’s existing relationships, each parent’s ability to provide care, and the benefit of maximizing contact with both parents. Equal (50/50) parenting time arrangements are common in Calgary when both parents are capable and willing.
Domestic violence allegations and charges can significantly impact parenting orders. The Family Law Act requires the court to consider any history of family violence when determining parenting arrangements. Criminal no-contact conditions may also restrict a parent’s ability to see their child during proceedings. A domestic violence lawyer in Calgary at Centobin Law Office coordinates the criminal and family law aspects to protect the client’s parenting rights.
Domestic violence defenceAn uncontested divorce in Calgary, where both parties agree on all issues, can be completed in approximately three to six months using the Desk Process under the Family Focused Protocol. A contested divorce where parenting, support, or property issues are disputed typically takes 12 to 24 months, depending on the complexity and whether the matter proceeds to trial.
Learn about divorce in CalgaryAdult interdependent partners are two people who have lived together in a relationship of interdependence for three or more continuous years, or who have a child together and share lives with some permanence, or who have entered into an adult interdependent partner agreement. Under Alberta law, adult interdependent partners have rights to spousal support and property division similar to married spouses.
If one party refuses to participate in Alternative Dispute Resolution, the other party can request a waiver from the desk duty justice. The court recognizes that ADR requires both parties’ cooperation, and a refusal does not prevent the filing party from accessing the court system.
The Family Focused Protocol is a mandatory procedural framework that took effect on January 2, 2026, for all family law matters in Alberta’s Court of King’s Bench. It requires parties to complete a Parenting After Separation course, attempt Alternative Dispute Resolution, exchange full financial disclosure, and meet with a Family Court Counsellor (if self-represented) before a justice will hear the case.
Several factors affect the total cost of a family law matter in Calgary:
Family lawyer fees in Calgary typically range from $250 to $500 per hour, depending on the lawyer’s experience, the complexity of the matter, and the court level involved. An uncontested divorce may cost between $2,000 and $5,000. In contrast, a contested divorce involving child custody, support, and property division can range from $10,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on whether the matter proceeds to trial. Cases that resolve during mediation or at the settlement conference stage under the Family Focused Protocol are significantly less expensive than cases that require a full trial.
Centobin Law Office offers transparent billing, provides detailed retainer agreements at the outset, and works to resolve matters at the earliest possible stage to manage costs. The firm also offers unbundled legal services — where a client handles some aspects of their case independently and retains the lawyer for specific tasks — as a cost-effective option for families working within a budget.
In our experience representing family law clients in Calgary, the cases that resolve most efficiently are those in which both parties complete their financial disclosure early and engage in ADR with realistic expectations. The most common mistake we see is delaying legal advice until court deadlines are imminent, which limits options and increases costs. The second most common mistake is entering mediation without understanding the law regarding their entitlements, which leads to agreements that are either unfair or unenforceable.
A family lawyer at Centobin Law Office in Calgary offers a free initial consultation to assess your situation and recommend next steps.
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I couldn't have asked for better representation during my divorce. Centobin Law truly cared about my situation and fought for my best interests.
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