Child Custody & Parenting Lawyers in Edmonton

Our child custody lawyers in Edmonton help parents with parenting time, decision-making responsibility, guardianship, parenting plans and relocation, under both the Divorce Act and Alberta's Family Law Act.

How we help

• Parenting plans
• Parenting time
• Decision-making responsibility
• Guardianship
• Relocation / moving with a child
• Varying parenting orders
• Enforcing parenting orders

From "custody" to parenting

You'll still hear "custody and access", but the law now uses different terms. For married parents under the Divorce Act, the court makes orders about parenting time and decision-making responsibility (major decisions about health, education, culture, religion and significant activities). For unmarried parents, Alberta's Family Law Act uses parenting orders, guardianship and contact orders.

The best interests of the child

The court's only consideration is the child's best interests — including the child's needs and stage of development, the relationship with each parent, each parent's ability to care for the child, any family violence, and the child's views, given appropriate weight depending on their age and maturity. There's no automatic rule favouring either parent.

Parenting plans

Most parents agree on a parenting plan covering the regular schedule, holidays, decision-making, communication and how disputes will be resolved. We help you build a plan that's realistic and workable, and we can turn it into a consent order.

Moving with a child

Under the Divorce Act, a parent who plans to relocate with a child must generally give the other parent at least 60 days' written notice, and the other parent can object. Relocation disputes are complex — get advice before you move.

Before court

In Alberta, parents in most court proceedings involving children must complete the Parenting After Separation course. Mediation can also help parents reach agreement without a hearing.