When you are going through complicated family legal matters, hiring a family lawyer to help you during this difficult period can be highly beneficial.

Unfortunately, an issue with many people is the cost that comes with hiring a family lawyer in Calgary. However, if given clarity on how much a lawyer costs and what affects their rates, individuals and families might be encouraged to hire them.

This guide breaks down how a family lawyer can help you, what affects their rate and fees, and the cost of hiring a family lawyer in Calgary.

What Can A Family Law Do For You

Family lawyers can help with a range of issues that are related to family law in Alberta. These include:

Child custody and support
Cohabitation, Separation and Prenuptial Agreements
Spousal Support
Divorce
Mediation
Settling of Wills and Estates

What Affects The Cost Of A Family Law In Calgary

The Complexity Of The Case

The price of hiring a family lawyer will be significantly affected by the nature and complexity of your case. The more complex and challenging your situation, the more it will cost in the long-term. The ongoing, extensive work required to handle your case, as well as the need for additional help from assistants, might raise your final price. Before your lawyer starts, they will evaluate the complexity of the case and the type of work that will be required, before quoting you a price.

Ongoing Work

The work for which a client is charged refers to all the work that is needed to meet your goals. This can include meetings with the lawyer, analyzing financial and legal information, legal and case research, correspondence between the two lawyers involved in the case, preparation time and attendance at mediation, court or arbitration.

Whether You Go To Court Or Not

There is no doubt about it: going to court can be costly. Whether you’re going for a divorce or a custody battle, the fees for taking up the court’s time can be quite expensive. So too will the family lawyer’s fee. Going to court can impact the ongoing cost of hiring a family lawyer.

The Experience Of The Lawyer

Experience, knowledge and a winning record are significant factors when it comes to hiring a family lawyer in Calgary. The more experienced the lawyer, the more knowledge they have in handling cases, the better the chance they can get the result you want. It also means that you will be paying more for their services. You can be expected to pay more for a lawyer with ten experience, as opposed to one just out of law school.

The Cost Of A Family Law In Calgary

Unfortunately, there is no average hourly rate that comes with hiring a family lawyer in Calgary. Some lawyers charge an hourly as low as $100, some as high as $650.

Some lawyers offer a flat fee for the work. As an example, a separation agreement can cost between $2,000, without children, to $3,500 with children. You also have to take into account consultation fees and any additional charges that occur during the legal proceedings.

With family conflicts, there is uncertainty in how long it requires to finalize a matter. As such, individuals should be prepared to pay high fees for a family lawyer.

At THEBIL Family Law we are committed to providing our clients with reliable, trustworthy and honest legal services. Inspired by our founding lawyer, Nne Christiana Udo, we are strong advocates for the rights of the vulnerable in society. We will provide all those who need our service with staunch legal support. We have created a culture where we can achieve the goals that you set out for us. Our expertise is in family law, but we can also help with real estate, wills, estates and immigration. Give us a call on (403) 457-3128 or go to our website (https://www.thebilfamilylaw.ca) and fill out a Contact Form.

A divorce can bring up feelings of anger and frustration. Worse, when those emotions get too high and too fixated, it usually ends up in making the separation costly – and not just in finances.

If you and your spouse want to avoid a messy divorce, which can result in damaged relationships, finger-pointing, and years of resentment, then you must consider undertaking mediation in Calgary. Continue reading to find out if it’s right for you.

6 Reason To Get A Mediation In Calgary

You Never Go To Court

One of the many fears of people going through a divorce is that they could end up in court. Negotiating your divorce in front of a judge can be emotionally and mentally exhausting, and worse, people do not know what to expect. In most cases, the situation can get worse by going to court. On the other, by undertaking mediation in Calgary, you eliminate the prospect of a messy court battle.

More Control Over Decisions

With court battles, you leave your faith in the hands of others. But with mediation, you have control of your decisions and your future (to a certain degree). Rather than letting lawyers bounce around and cause problems, you can have a firm discussion about your assets, your children, and your belongings with your spouse. You can carefully craft and shape the future direction of your family.

Less Stressful & Emotionally Taxing

As we mentioned above, going through a divorce can be stressful, emotionally exhausting and mentally draining. Meditation reduces the stress involved with separation significantly. Even if you and your spouse have irreconcilable differences, you can have a civilized discussion and organize a division of your assets. Divorce lawyers in Calgary can create tension during your separation (even if they don’t mean it), but mediators are there to provide balance to both sides, significantly reducing stress.

Having A Neutral Perspective

Mediators are neutral, remaining strictly in the middle. They never take sides during a sit-down, and never advocate for either party. All they do is ask the tough questions and push a process that will get a result that is fair for both parties. Having a neutral person involved helps calm the situation and brings the separation to a calm end.

Less Hostility Post-Mediation

Divorces that end in court battles can leave a bitter taste and harbour resentment between spouses. One spouse feels hard done by the other or feels they were unfairly represented in court. Because mediation acts a discussion where both parties have an agreed-on outcome, there is a much higher chance that those people will abide by their agreement and have less conflict in the future. It can prove beneficial to both parties.

Lower Fees For Mediation In Calgary

Regardless of the way you look at it, fees for divorce lawyers in Calgary can be costly for both parties. You could end up spending thousands of dollars fighting for your rights, and you might still not get the outcome you deserve. Mediation, on the other hand, is significantly cheaper. You will be able to save yourself plenty of money and ensure that both parties get a fair outcome.

Hire A Family Lawyer In Calgary For Your Mediation

As you can see, it is more beneficial for you and your spouse to consider undertaking mediation in Calgary. With the right family lawyer in Calgary by your side, both you and your spouse can get an outcome that benefits both of you. Having support in this challenging moment can make sure that you come out of it with a positive outlook on the future.

As you get older, you should start to think about getting a Will. While it might be depressing to think about your passing, if you do not plan ahead, you can be putting your family into serious strife. Court battles, fights between family members and a complete breakdown of relationships can occur. These points highlight the importance of getting a Will.

What to put in your Will is difficult, especially if you don’t what to include. Below are the reasons why you should get a Will, the appointments you should make, and how to divide your assets.

What Is The Purpose Of Your Will?

Your Will is a document that stipulates what happens if you pass away. It works on two levels: it allows you to make key appointments to people who will carry out the final acts of your Will, and it will describe the distribution of your assets – also known as your “estate”.

While you are alive, your Will can be amended as your circumstances change, and will only become active when you pass away. It is, therefore, essential that you always stay on top of your estate so that you can adjust your Will accordingly.

Due to the uncertainties of life, a Will should be organized by a Will lawyer in Calgary as soon as you have viable assets, instead of waiting until you’re ‘old’.

Key Appointments For Your Will

When it comes to organizing your Will, you have to assign to key positions:

The Executor of your Will
An executor is a person you can trust to carry out the instructions of your Will. They will have full control of gathering and securing your assets, and then distributing them. They will also be responsible for arranging your funeral. Considering the importance of the role, it is best if you choose a friend or family member who has your full support and trust. You can always hire a Will lawyer in Calgary to handle it on your behalf, but it will cost you.

The Guardians of your Children
There is nothing more important than making sure your children are safe, if God forbid, you and your partner are involved in an accident. Make sure that you assign a guardian that is committed, passionate and has a strong relationship with your children or child. However, it should be noted that even if you appoint a guardian, they can reject the offer if their circumstances are not fit to look after your children. A judge will decide if that is the case.

Distributing Your Assets

Sorting out and distributing your assets is a vital component of your Will. Without it, you leave your estate, your individual items and your finances in open arms to be battled out in court. The situation can lead to court battles with Calgary family lawyers representing each family member’s interest.

Dividing and distributing your assets is down to your own volition. You can separate your property to several different parties, or hand out your finances to specific people. You have the choice to decide who gets what. In legal terms, the recipients of your assets are called “beneficiaries”, while the items going to the beneficiaries are called “bequests”.

You should make two plans for your Will regarding your assets. This ensures that if the first plan fails or does not work for whatever reason, the second plan will activate. It should be written so that regardless of what happens, there is always a plan for your estate.

What Happens If You Die Without Making A Will?

If you do not make a Will before you pass away, there might be issues when it comes to dividing your estate, especially if there is general confusion as to who will take charge of your Will, as you have not named an executor. It can result in fighting between family members. In some severe circumstances, the dividing of the Will will see family members hiring Calgary family lawyers to fight on their behalf in court.

In most cases, the estate will go the next closest family member. For example, if your parents pass away, their estate will be divided between you and your siblings. If you’re married, and you pass away, your estate will go to your spouse. If both you and your spouse pass away, it will pass to your children (once they are of legal age).

If the family members cannot organize and mediate the estate themselves, the courts will appoint an Estate Administrator, who will then have to secure the assets in the estate. They will distribute the estate according to the laws of the Province.

If you haven’t created a Will yet, the time is now to do it. Speak to your Will lawyer in Calgary to help you get the process started.

Going through a divorce can be emotionally, mentally, and financially damaging. Research has even reported that divorce can be bad for your physical health, too. Plenty of people suffer through it, ending up in a dire situation because of a lack of legal guidance. Although support from family and friends is invaluable, it does not help when it comes to the legal side of divorce proceedings. For this, you are going to need a divorce or family lawyer in Calgary.

Despite your best intentions to remain amicable during separation, you are entitled to your fair share during a divorce. Obtaining what you deserve that can be difficult, depending on your situation and what you feel you are owned. With a family lawyer by your side, they can help you manage, come to terms with, and support you throughout the whole process.

What a Family Lawyer in Calgary can Offer You

Experience in Handling Complex Cases

There are a lot of complexities in a divorce case. You have to consider each other’s situations, as well as all shared factors, such as properties, financial interests, and children. Tie all this together, and there is a lot to break down equally. It can be overwhelming for anyone, but your qualified divorce lawyer has the experience required in handling these situations. Whether that means going to court or through alternative dispute resolution processes like mediation or collaborative family law, they know what they are doing for you.

Favorable Settlement Agreements

Your family lawyer in Calgary will be working on your behalf, so, therefore, will be aiming to ensure that you get the best possible outcome for your situation. They will work hard, understand your situation and look to how they can maximize the potential of the case in your favor. Their experience will help get a favorable settlement for you.

Dealing With Other Lawyers

Your ex-spousal will have a lawyer of their own, and that means negotiating with them too. Having a lawyer by your side will ensure that you get someone that will be vouching for you, but more importantly, has experience in dealing with other lawyers. This is paramount if you are looking to obtain a favorable settlement.

Providing You With Support For Numerous Settlements

An experienced family lawyer in Calgary can help you with numerous issues during your separation and divorce, helping you to find a resolution that suits your case. It can include any of the following:

Divorce proceedings
Child custody and support
Spousal support
Division of property

The lawyers will be able to help negotiate the terms of your divorce, child battles and other settlements. With their experience in handling these cases, they can tell you at the outset what course of action would be best for you, and what you can expect from proceedings.

Managing All The Paperwork & Red Tape

It goes without saying that going to court requires a lot of paperwork and plenty of red tape to go around. It can be overwhelming and expensive to do it all yourself. An experienced attorney can work through the maze of paperwork that can be necessary for resolving your divorce so that you can get on with your life. Bringing them on-board will help take that off your plate.

Supporting You In Court

If a trial becomes necessary, having a family lawyer represent you is essential. They can work towards achieving the best possible verdict in your favor. Without them, it is up to you to defend yourself on your own. It can a difficult time – both emotionally and mentally – so having legal support is essential.

Emotional & Mental Support

Family and divorce lawyers in Calgary are not all numbers and facts. They are people and understand what are you going through. So not only will they be supporting you legally, but they will be by your side to offer you any emotional and mental support that you need. Ask them for coping tips and how you can move on with your life. It is valuable to having someone on your side who knows what’re going through and provides legal advice as well.

Hire An Experienced Family Law In Calgary Today

Whether you can settle your divorce through mediation or feel that you have to go to court, you don’t have to go through it alone. Having an experienced divorce lawyer on your side will ensure that you are heading in the right direction.

Your lawyer can help you take the right course of action, and if you are heading to court, they will speak on your behalf. Get the legal representation you deserve with a family or divorce lawyer in Calgary.

Going through a divorce can be an emotional and mental damaging experience. On top of that, you have to consider the serious financial implications of separating from your partner.

The cost of divorce proceedings varies from one couple to another, as multiple factors come to the fore. Below is a guide on what you can expect from your divorce proceedings, such as how different divorce proceedings and factors affect your finances, ways to save money and the average cost of a divorce lawyer in Calgary.

The Types Of Divorces That Affect The Cost Of A Divorce Lawyer In Calgary

An Amicable Divorce

The cheapest way to get a divorce is to get an amicable or “uncontested” divorce. This is an application where the divorce is approved based on an agreement that reduces delays and legal fees. It can be achieved when spouses agree on the grounds and terms of the divorce, including child support, child custody, allocation of debts, and separation of assets. Once they have completed the necessary documents, it will be certified by a judge, granting the divorce.

A Contested Divorce

If you plan to contest the divorce and take it to Court, this is where things will get expensive. It will occur when spouses cannot agree on the terms of the separation. It will be costly, as it will require appearing in Court, the extended use of family lawyers, and depending on the complexity of the divorce, it can take months or even years to be finalized – driving up costs.

A Separation Agreement

A separation agreement is a legally binding contract created between two spouses, at the time of their separation, which occurs when both spouses live alone. The contract can include both spouses’ rights to finances, child custody, debts and assets. It means the Court will follow on with the contract agreed during the separation agreement.

If one of the spouses decides to break up the agreement, it will lead to a Court battle, which is costly. That is why it is best to have the separation agreement drafted by a family lawyer in Calgary to guarantee authenticity.

What Other Factors Affect The Cost Of A Divorce Lawyer In Calgary

While most clients want to know the costs of lawyers from the first meeting, it is difficult to predict what might happen. Numerous factors can affect the price, including:

The complexity of the divorce, the situation of the spouses, and the reasonableness of both parties in negotiating a settlement
The level of skills and experience required to handle the case. The more complex the case, the more experience you need in a lawyer
The use of experts from outside the legal system, which can include valuation experts, accountants and parenting experts
Fees for the Court, administration and specific documents
The urgency of the case, and time and effort expended on the case

What Is The Average Cost Of Divorce Lawyers in Calgary?

All the above factors – from the type of divorce proceedings you want to take, to the complexity of your case, will affect the price of your divorce lawyer in Calgary..

On average, for an amicable divorce, you can spend an average of $2,000, while a contested divorce can set up back as much as $10,000 (which a high of up to $34,000) if you go to Court for around five days.

However, as mentioned, it all depends on external factors. There are options for you when it comes to managing your finances during this difficult time.

How To Save Money With Your Divorce Lawyer in Calgary

Conciliation Is Always An Option

If there is a chance to reconcile your marriage, then you should do it. Not only will you save money, but you have the opportunity to renew and build on a healthy and loving relationship with your partner.

Get Legal Aid

If you are a low-income earner and you’re about to head into a contested divorce, you can be eligible for Alberta legal aid and receive free or inexpensive legal counsel. Check out Alberta Legal Aid services to see if you qualify.

A Prenup Agreement

It is always good to take a proactive approach to your marriage, and discuss the chance to create a prenuptial agreement. It is a contract that will agree to terms such as the gross value of the possessions owned by each party at the time of marriage, and what shall be separated if a divorce shall occur. It might not be the most romantic thing to do, but it will help if you ever go through a divorce.

Whether you’re separating, splitting assets or fighting for custody, you are going to need to hire a family lawyer. What you’re going through is one of the most challenging things that your family will experience. You’re going to need both legal and emotional support during this time.

Which makes finding a family lawyer in Calgary that fits your needs all that more daunting. Getting the right lawyer can help you navigate through your divorce, custody and all family law matters. Before you decide to retain a lawyer for their services, it is crucial to consider the following.

5 Things To Consider When Hiring A Calgary Family Lawyer

Hiring A Lawyer That You’re Comfortable With

You need to be comfortable and at ease with the lawyer that you’re hiring. Remember that your lawyer will be advocating on your behalf, so they have to know the essential private details about your case.

You will be opening up about private and personal things involving your marriage and divorce, so you will have to be comfortable with them retaining that information. There has to be a degree of trust between you and your lawyer. So if you don’t feel comfortable enough to open up to them, then maybe they are not the family lawyer for you.

Come Prepared For Your First Meeting

Once you have booked a consultation with your lawyer, make sure that you come prepared for the meeting. You don’t want to turn up empty-handed without any information on you, or without wanting to get more information.

Break down the family structure of your home, including the roles of each spouse, your children and your finances. Write an overview of all the critical details about your relationship so that your lawyer has a complete breakdown of significant points in your relationship and how it impacts your family.

Of course, as much as the lawyer can help you the first time around, it is also about you finding one that you’re comfortable around. Prepare a list of questions for the lawyers, so you know if they’re a fit for you. Some of the questions you can ask include:

What is your experience in family law?
How much experience do you have in court and mediation?
What do you suspect is the outcome for my case?
Who else will be working with you on my case?
What is your professional opinion on my situation?
How much will you be charged?

These questions are just a sample in which you can build your own questionnaire. Anything that is important and you want to ask, you go ahead and ask.

Experience In Handling Similar Cases

You might have noticed that one of the questions we suggested to ask was about experience. You want to be sure that the family or divorce lawyer in Calgary you are hiring has experience in dealing with family law matters. In particular, do they have the expertise to handle the specific issues in your case?

An example could be that you and your spouse have business interests, and you need them to be split evenly across the board. You want to know if the lawyer has the business knowledge to handle such a matter. Another example could be a custody battle: you want to hire a lawyer who has experience in dealing with high conflict custody disputes.

Don’t just look for “experience” in the field; look for experience in relation to your case and situation.

Can The Calgary Family Lawyers Deliver What You Want?

Discuss what your goals are when it comes to going forward with your case. Do you want to split assets, or take full control? Do you want to go to court or go through mediation in Calgary? Listen to the lawyer and see what options they bring to the table, so you know what is going to happen.

Now, what you might want might not actually be possible, and your lawyer will tell you straight if that is the case. You might have to compromise what you want, as the situation might change. So be prepared to be flexible, but understand that your mind might change too.

Make Sure The Finances Fit Your Budget

If finances are a concern for you, see if the lawyer offers flexible financing options. They might provide you with assistance for legal aid in Alberta so that you will be able to obtain their services. You can also hire a junior lawyer to assist you with your case. If the situation requires more senior counsel, they can discuss it with their qualified lawyers.

Take Your Time To Find The Right Family Lawyer In Calgary

While you might feel that you need a family lawyer in Calgary immediately, you have to make sure you find the right one to help you. Do your research, take your time and hire a lawyer that has the experience to handle your case, and the personal approach that works for you.