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Social distancing requirements have also affected our court system and only those matters which are very urgent are currently being heard. However, many services continue to be available, like filing Consent Orders and desk applications for divorces, grants of probate and represented adult orders.  In addition, our office remains open and available to assist people dealing with separation, parenting, property and support matters, as well as real estate transactions and estate planning.With so many people experiencing work and routine interruptions, now may offer an unexpected opportunity to address such things through videoconferencing and careful social distancing protocols, where meeting in person is necessary. Stay home, stay healthy and contact us with your questions.

We can meet with clients in person or by teleconference or videoconference, depending on the client’s circumstances. As long as the client is not quarantining or especially vulnerable to the virus, we prefer to meet at our office, in person. Proper physical distance is maintained and hands, pens, and surfaces are sanitized before and after the meeting. If teleconference is preferred by the client or required by the circumstances, the Law Society has provided lawyers with the special rules and procedures to follow during the pandemic.

We often receive calls from people in a time crunch: they have separated, agreed on a resolution, and placed an offer on a new home - only to learn from their bank that a new mortgage is not possible until a formal separation agreement is in place. Even if you and your ex-spouse agree on how to divide your assets and deal with support, it is imperative to have that agreement formalized in a legal written agreement, with independent legal advice, and then to look for a new home.  Creating this agreement does take some time to do properly, and often requires some further negotiation of and research into the details needed to make the agreement happen. For more information on how to make this transition smoothly, contact our office today.

Goodlaw Firm, based in St. Albert, Alberta, specializes in Collaborative Divorce, Family Law, Estate Planning, Estate Administration, and Residential Real Estate. With nearly 50 years of combined legal experience, our team offers client-focused services, emphasizing clear communication and practical solutions. We are committed to guiding clients through legal challenges with empathy and professionalism. Guiding Life's Transitions with Compassionate Legal Solutions BOOK A CONSULTATION At GOOD LAW, our focus is on healthy families. Understanding the emotional dynamics and delicate nature of family disputes is central to our practice. Our dedicated team is here to support you as you navigate toward clarity in and resolution of the legal matters affecting your family. About Us GOOD LAW has been proudly serving St. Albert and its neighboring communities, including Edmonton, Morinville, Legal, Bon Accord, Gibbons, Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Leduc, and the entire Edmonton metropolitan area—for nearly 40 years. We’re here to provide insight into the law and empower you, no matter what life throws your way. With decades of legal experience, our team is ready to offer practical guidance and help you navigate the complexities of your legal matters. READ MORE Practice Areas We specialize in key legal areas crucial to families in the St. Albert area: buying/selling homes, relationship transitions, estate planning, and administration. In addition to helping people navigate life's challenges and changes, we are pleased to offer notarial services by appointment. Our lawyers are also notaries public and are available to assist you with any notarial needs. Whether you're in need of advice or a notary public, our team is here to provide personalized options tailored to your situation. We stay updated on the latest legal developments to offer the most effective guidance, so you can focus on your family’s future with confidence. COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE ESTATE PLANNING FAMILY LAW ESTATES ADMINISTRATION REAL ESTATE GUARDIANSHIP & TRUSTEESHIP Our Team We’ve carefully built a team of exceptional people to help you. Everyone at GOOD LAW is committed to assisting you with your legal matters and to ensuring your have the information you need to make the important decisions that arise as life changes. Wendy M. Phillips-Berard Lawyer and Registered Collaborative Family Lawyer View profile Michelle T. Roe Lawyer and Registered Collaborative Family Lawyer View profile Michael C. Good (Retired) View profile VIEW MORE PROFILES Reach out to us as you embark on your path to a brighter future . We’d love to help you get there. BOOK A CONSULATATION

Choose a compassionate, non-court option for divorce in Edmonton, AB, with GoodLaw's Collaborative Divorce services. Prioritizing respect, fairness, and family well-being, we specialize in resolving separations and divorces amicably. Our voluntary, face-to-face approach aims for lasting solutions in matters like child custody, estate, and civil disputes. Guardianship & Trusteeship BOOK A CONSULT COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE FAMILY LAW GUARDIANSHIP & TRUSTEESHIP ESTATE ADMINISTRATION ESTATE PLANNING REAL ESTATE Legal Guidance in Challenging Times Sometimes a situation arises where an individual loses mental capacity without having had the opportunity to prepare an Enduring Power of Attorney or Personal Directive, or where a family member has never had the legal mental capacity to give instructions for estate documents (formerly called a “dependent adult,” now referred to as a “represented adult” under current legislation). In these cases, an application must be made to the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta to appoint someone to assist with decision-making, co-decision-making with the represented adult, or to manage the family member’s financial and personal affairs. If there are no appropriate or willing family members or friends, the Public Guardian may be appointed to make decisions regarding the represented adult’s care and living arrangements, while the Public Trustee may be appointed to manage financial matters. These applications are more costly, time-consuming, and invasive than preparing an enduring power of attorney or personal directive, and they become public record. Our firm has extensive experience helping clients navigate these applications to appoint a family member or friend in a decision-making role. We also assist with reviewing such appointments and applying for the passing of accounts for a represented adult, as required by the court. If you have any questions about assisting a family member or friend with these matters, please don’t hesitate to contact our office. More information about trusteeship and guardianship can be found here . For more information, please reach out to our Wills and Estates Assistant, Amanda Moroz , or call our office at 780-459-0133. You may also speak with Wendy M. Phillips-Berard or Michelle T. Roe .

C NTACT Us We’d love to hear from you! For initial questions and general inquiries, Please contact our office to speak with someone on our team and to make an appointment to see Wendy M. Phillips-Berard , or Michelle T. Roe . GOOD LAW proudly serves clients in St. Albert, Edmonton, Morinville, Legal, Bon Accord, Gibbons, Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Leduc, and throughout the Edmonton metropolitan area. Please do NOT send any confidential information by email until you have retained our firm, as until then, your information is NOT protected by solicitor-client privilege. After filling out the contact form, be sure to check out our 5-minute call guide. It will help you know what to expect during the call and provide you with additional resources to make the most of our conversation. Let’s Work Together At GOOD LAW, we are committed to providing clear answers to your questions without using complicated legal language. We are a friendly firm and would be delighted to discuss your case with you at your convenience. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment. First Name Last Name Email Message Send Consult a Lawyer When confronted with a change in your life, it’s important to know your options and understand how the law affects you and your family. 5 MINUTE CALL GUIDE 5 Giroux Rd #220, St. Albert, AB T8N 6J8 Email: info@goodlawfirm.ca Tel: (780) 459-0133