Divorce & Separation Lawyers in Edmonton

Verdicta LLP's divorce lawyers in Edmonton help married and unmarried couples separate — negotiating separation agreements and handling uncontested and contested divorces in the Court of King's Bench.

How we help

• Separation agreements
• Uncontested divorce
• Contested divorce
• Adult interdependent partner separations
• Negotiation & mediation
• Court applications

Separating in Alberta

You don't need a court order to separate. Many couples resolve parenting, support and property through a separation agreement — a written contract that, when each party has independent legal advice, can be relied on later and incorporated into a divorce. You can be separated while still living under the same roof in some circumstances.

Getting a divorce

Divorce is available to married spouses under the federal Divorce Act, on the ground of marriage breakdown — most commonly shown by living separate and apart for at least one year. Adultery or cruelty can also establish breakdown. Divorces are granted by the Court of King's Bench of Alberta.

• Uncontested divorce — where the issues are resolved, the divorce can usually proceed on paper without a court hearing.
• Contested divorce — where parenting, support or property are in dispute, the court can decide them as part of the divorce proceeding.

Before granting a divorce, the court must be satisfied that reasonable arrangements have been made for the support of any children.

Unmarried couples

Common-law couples — called adult interdependent partners in Alberta — don't divorce, but they can have the same kinds of parenting, support and, since 2020, property claims. We help partners resolve those issues by agreement or in court.

Related issues

Most separations involve parenting arrangements, child and spousal support and division of family property. We handle all of them together.