Family | Real Estate | Wills | Mediation

Separating

A collaborative way of resolving disputes among families with the guidance of an impartial mediator. A safe and informal place for individuals to have open and honest discussions, as well as the opportunity to work together to come up with mutually agreeable and, thanks to your mediator also being a lawyer, legally sound solutions.

Where both of you sign the required paperwork to file with the court that is necessary to become officially divorced – the fastest option in most cases.

Where only one of you signs the required paperwork to file with the court that is necessary to become officially divorced. The other person is then served with the paperwork and, generally, if they doesn’t respond within 20 days, the divorce will be automatically granted.

A comprehensive agreement involving terms regarding children, financial support, property division, etc. after marriage or common law separation.

Making arrangements for time with and decision-making for your children.

Ongoing payment arrangements for basic child support and extraordinary expenses (“Section 7 expenses”).

Ongoing or one-time payment arrangements for basic spousal support.

Assets & Debts, including real estate, investments, household goods, etc.

Merging

Protecting both of your wishes before or after marriage in the event of divorce, preventing expensive and exhausting court battles in the future. 

Protecting both of your wishes while living together in the event of separation, preventing expensive and exhausting court battles in the future.  Generally, couples who have lived together for 3 years, have children together or have signed an Adult Interdependent Partner Agreement, are considered to be in a common law relationship in Alberta. 

Estate Planning

While it is possible to offer each of these three documents separately, 
it is recommended to have all three done at the same time to cover all what if situations.

We build flexibility into our wills, keeping them open enough that you generally only need to update your loved ones, not your lawyer, every time you change your mind about your wishes – saving you time and money.

Making financial decisions while you are alive, but have lost the capacity to do so (i.e. banking on your behalf). 

Making health and lifestyle decisions while you are alive, but have lost the capacity to do so (i.e. where you live).

Residential Real Estate

Conveyancing work required to sell your home.

Conveyancing work required to purchase your home.

Conveyancing work is required to refinance your home, including spousal buyouts.

Changing the name on the title to your home. Be sure to check if this is acceptable to your mortgage company beforehand.

When your spouse is not on title and you require their permission to sell the home in your name.

Other Legal Services

In order for any family Agreement to be enforceable, both you and your partner require separate, independent legal advice from two different lawyers, i.e. Accord Family Law + another law firm of your partner’s choosing.

In-person and by appointment only, including witnessing oaths, solemn affirmations, signing of affidavits or statutory declarations, certifying documents to be true copies of the original, etc.

 

If you need to have your legal documents served on someone outside of Canada, you need a lawyer to act as the Forwarding Authority to coordinate service with the other country. 

Instantly book your Free 20-Minute Consultation to see if Accord Family Law is right for you and your family and to find out your Flat Fee.