FAQ's

We do not offer free consultations. If you require a free consultation, you may contact Legal Aid Alberta or the Law Society of Alberta to find out which lawyers offer free consultations.
Contact our office for costs of your first meeting with Deborah or Zaheer. Your consultation generally lasts for approximately one hour.

Our consultations are mandatory if you wish to retain our firm. This is a confidential meeting between you and our Senior Lawyer. During the meeting, you can expect to obtain important and pertinent legal advice, information and answers related to your specific situation. Our goal is to provide all the information necessary to assist you in making an informed decision regarding the process options and how to move forward to resolve your matter. The meeting also helps both of us determine whether the lawyer-client relationship is a good fit.

Following the Consultation, you may retain our firm or take some time to think about your options. There is no obligation to retain our firm following a consultation.

If you wish to retain our firm, a will be provided with a Retainer Agreement to review and sign and make your initial Retainer deposit to start your file. These monies are deposited into the firm’s trust account, then applied to your future invoices.

We do not accept payment plans, nor are we able to finance your legal matter. We do not work on contingency basis.
Yes, we will work on a specific part of your file, such as assisting a self-represented individual in filing appropriate court documents, preparing Affidavits or simply providing legal advice throughout the legal process. We will also draft certain Agreements or provide Independent Legal Advice.
Your particular circumstances will dictate the actual cost of obtaining a Divorce. Think of the complexity of your property, your parenting arrangements, support issues as one part and then, consider the level of conflict between the parties. Can you agree on matters related to your issues, or is there disagreement or a position that will prevent an expedient and affordable resolution. So the short answer is: the costs are determined by the parties ability to reach a final resolution, either by agreement, or as directed by the court.

YES, Mediation can work!

Mediation is a voluntary process in which both parties provide full disclosure and work towards resolution as amicably and respectfully as possible.

Any alternative dispute resolution process is an excellent first step in resolving any family matter or any dispute. If the process does not work for some reason, the court is always available to make a final determination for the parties.

First, book your consultation, then if you wish to retain my services, you will be provided with a Retainer Agreement and make your trust payment. Kay Law and Mediation will guide you every step of the way to reach a final resolution of your legal matter.

Collaborative Family Law is an alternative dispute resolution process and is an option within the Family law processes. Family Law encompasses all matters related to families, including guardianship or child protection, whereas Collaborative Family Law is a process that deals with divorcing couples aiming for a divorce.

Do you want to stop dwelling on the past and focus on the future? Is your main concern your family’s well-being rather than getting back at your ex? Are you prepared to work out a fair and reasonable settlement with your spouse/ex? Do you want to divorce in a respectful manner? Do you want to deal with your divorce in the privacy of an office boardroom rather than a courtroom open to the public? Do you want to avoid having to file your financial information with the courts, where it will become a public record? Do you have complex family, financial or business circumstances which might need the assistance of financial neutrals or other experts?
Once the parties come to agreement on all issues, these agreements are included in a final legal agreement called a ‘Minutes of Settlement’. This is a legally valid agreement, but is not the same as court order or final Divorce judgment. Therefore, some couples choose to have their agreement rendered ‘official’ by the court. This is done by incorporating the terms of the parties’ agreement into a ‘Consent Order’ or into the final Divorce Judgment.
All family lawyers are not trained in the Collaborative process. A lawyer must be a Registered Collaborative lawyer to practice Collaborative Law and must complete many hours of specialized training to study, learn and practice proven techniques in dispute resolution.
Yes, you may be. You don’t need to be divorced in order to seek spousal support. Separated common-law spouses can use the provisions of the Family Law Act to seek support and married spouses may seek support under the Divorce Act.
Congratulations on achieving agreement with your spouse/partner! Yes, you can put your agreement down in writing and make it a valid legal contract. Such a contract is called a ‘Minutes of Settlement’.

Your spouse betrayed your trust and has caused you a world of hurt. Unfortunately, his/her bad behaviour does not remove his/her entitlement to a share of the matrimonial property and/or spousal support. This is because the laws governing support obligations and property division don’t take into account any misconduct by a spouse.

For instance, the Divorce Act states expressly in section 15.2(5) that, in making a spousal support order, “the court shall not take into consideration any misconduct of a spouse in relation to the marriage.” The Family Law Act, which applies to unmarried couples, says the same thing, except that it permits the consideration of conduct that:

  1. arbitrarily or unreasonably precipitates, prolongs or aggravates the need for support, OR
  2. arbitrarily or unreasonably affects the ability of the spouse or adult interdependent partner having the support obligation under the order to provide the support

As far as matrimonial property is concerned, a spouse is entitled to share in the property that he/she contributed to, either in the acquisition, or in the maintenance and preservation of. They don’t forfeit their just and equitable entitlement because of their misconduct towards you.

To have your specific legal questions answered by a Lawyer, book your consultation today!

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Kay Law & Mediation is a Boutique law firm focusing on you, Serving the Greater purpose of you.

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