Dobko & Wheaton

Dobko & Wheaton Dobko & Wheaton has been providing quality legal services to the Peace Country since 1990.

You’ve negotiated the price, agreed on the terms, and started planning what comes next. Then the buyer says they’re no l...
10/01/2026

You’ve negotiated the price, agreed on the terms, and started planning what comes next. Then the buyer says they’re no longer going through with the deal.

When a business sale falls apart, what happens next depends heavily on the signed agreement and the circumstances surrounding the transaction.

Was the purchase conditional on financing or another requirement? Were those conditions satisfied or waived? Was a deposit paid? What does the agreement say about termination or default? Depending on the answers, walking away may have financial or legal consequences.

For a seller, a failed transaction can mean more than losing the sale. Plans may have already been made based on the expected closing, and finding another buyer can take time. For a buyer, backing out of a binding agreement may carry consequences they hadn’t anticipated.

It’s our first Legal Nightmare of October, and a good reminder that the details of a business sale matter long before anyone reaches the closing date.

If you’re buying or selling a business, Dobko & Wheaton can help you understand the agreement and the legal details involved in the transaction. Call 780.539.6200 to schedule a consultation.

Tomorrow, September 30, Dobko & Wheaton LLP will be closed in observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliatio...
09/29/2026

Tomorrow, September 30, Dobko & Wheaton LLP will be closed in observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

This day is an opportunity to honour the children who never returned home, the Survivors of residential schools, and their families and communities. It is also a time to listen, learn, reflect, and recognize the ongoing impacts of the residential school system.

Our office will reopen on Wednesday, October 1, during regular business hours.

Real estate transactions aren’t limited to buying or selling a home.Dobko & Wheaton also assists clients with commercial...
09/24/2026

Real estate transactions aren’t limited to buying or selling a home.

Dobko & Wheaton also assists clients with commercial and farm real estate transactions, where the property, financing, and deal terms can bring different considerations to the table.

Whether you’re purchasing a commercial property for your business, selling agricultural land, expanding an existing farm operation, or dealing with another type of commercial or rural property transaction, having the legal details properly addressed is an important part of the process.

From reviewing agreements and title considerations to financing requirements and completing the transaction, our team can help you understand what’s involved and ensure the necessary legal steps are taken.

If you’re buying or selling commercial or farm real estate, Dobko & Wheaton can help. Call 780.539.6200 to schedule a consultation.

A new job, a new relationship, family support, or simply a fresh start can lead someone to consider moving to another co...
09/22/2026

A new job, a new relationship, family support, or simply a fresh start can lead someone to consider moving to another community. But when separated parents share responsibilities for a child, a move can involve more than finding a new home.

If the move would significantly affect the child’s relationship with the other parent or an existing parenting arrangement, relocation rules may apply. Depending on the circumstances, formal notice may be required, and the other parent may have the opportunity to object.

Questions can quickly become complicated. How will parenting time work with greater distance? Who will be responsible for travel? How will school, activities, holidays, and regular contact with both parents be affected?
The focus in relocation matters is not simply whether one parent wants to move. The child’s best interests and the impact of the proposed relocation are central considerations.

That is why relocation is an important part of “The Fine Print.” Understanding your rights and responsibilities before making plans can help avoid additional conflict and uncertainty.

If you are considering relocating with your child, or you have received notice that the other parent intends to move, Dobko & Wheaton can help you understand your options. Call 780.539.6200 to schedule a consultation.

We are pleased to announce that May Enriquez-Pulumbarit has joined Dobko & Wheaton LLP as a Partner.May brings a unique ...
09/17/2026

We are pleased to announce that May Enriquez-Pulumbarit has joined Dobko & Wheaton LLP as a Partner.

May brings a unique combination of legal experience, community leadership, and a longstanding commitment to advocacy and service.

Before becoming a lawyer, she spent eight years as a community support worker advocating for individuals with developmental disabilities, followed by 8.5 years as a Judicial Clerk with the Court of King’s Bench in Grande Prairie.

Originally from the Philippines, May has called Grande Prairie home since 2005. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of the Cordilleras in the Philippines before completing her Bachelor of Laws at Bond University in Australia in 2023.

Her connection to the community extends well beyond her legal career. May currently serves as President of the Filipino Association of Grande Prairie and Area and is fluent in Tagalog, Ilocano, Pangasinense, and Bisaya, as well as conversational in Mandarin and Spanish.

We are proud to welcome May to the partnership and look forward to the experience, perspective, and dedication she brings to Dobko & Wheaton and the clients we serve.

“What happens to your digital accounts when you die?”When we think about estate planning, we usually think about a home,...
09/15/2026

“What happens to your digital accounts when you die?”

When we think about estate planning, we usually think about a home, bank accounts, investments, and personal belongings. But increasingly, part of our lives exists online.

Email accounts, social media profiles, cloud storage, digital photos, online subscriptions, websites, and even income-generating digital accounts may all need to be dealt with after someone passes away.

The challenge is that access isn't always straightforward. Each platform may have its own rules about what happens to an account after death, and simply leaving someone your password may not give them the legal authority or ability to manage everything stored online.

For business owners, the issue can be even more important. Websites, domain names, social media accounts, online storefronts, and other digital assets may be essential to keeping a business operating.

Including digital assets in your estate planning can help your executor understand what exists, what needs to be preserved or closed, and what you would like to happen to it.

It’s an increasingly important part of “The Fine Print” that can easily be overlooked.

If you have questions about how your digital assets fit into your estate plan, Dobko & Wheaton can help you understand your options. Call 780.539.6200 to schedule a consultation.

“What does ‘jointly owned’ really mean?”Buying or owning property with another person can seem straightforward. You both...
09/10/2026

“What does ‘jointly owned’ really mean?”

Buying or owning property with another person can seem straightforward. You both own it, so you both have an equal interest in what happens to it. But how ownership is legally structured can have important consequences, especially when someone wants to sell or when one owner dies.

For example, two spouses might own their home together, siblings may inherit or purchase a recreational property, or family members might invest in real estate together. While each situation involves shared ownership, the legal rights attached to that ownership may not be the same.

Depending on how title is held, an owner's interest may pass directly to the surviving owner when they die, or it may become part of their estate and be distributed according to their will or Alberta's estate laws. Questions can also arise when one owner wants to sell, transfer their interest, or no longer wants to own the property.

That small detail on the title can have a much bigger impact than many property owners realize.

As part of our September “The Fine Print” series, we're looking at the details that can be easy to overlook when making important legal and financial decisions.

If you own or are considering purchasing property with someone else, Dobko & Wheaton can help you understand how different ownership arrangements may affect you. Call 780.539.6200 to schedule a consultation.

“Who actually owns the improvement?”When a business leases a commercial space, it may invest significantly in making tha...
09/08/2026

“Who actually owns the improvement?”

When a business leases a commercial space, it may invest significantly in making that space work for its needs. New flooring, built-in shelving, walls, lighting, plumbing, or other improvements can transform a space into a functioning business.

But when the lease ends, what happens to everything you've added?

The answer may depend on the lease and the type of improvement. Some items may be removable, while others may become part of the property. A lease may also require the tenant to remove certain improvements and restore the space before leaving, potentially adding an unexpected expense at the end of the tenancy.

That is why the details matter before renovations begin. A commercial lease can address who is responsible for improvements, whether landlord approval is required, who pays for the work, and what happens to those improvements when the tenant moves out.

A beautiful new space may be the exciting part of opening or growing a business. Understanding what you've agreed to do with it later is part of “The Fine Print.”

If you are entering into or negotiating a commercial lease, Dobko & Wheaton can help you understand your rights, responsibilities, and the terms of your agreement. Call 780.539.6200 to schedule a consultation.

Dobko & Wheaton LLP will be closed on Monday, September 7, for Labour Day.Our office will reopen on Tuesday, September 8...
09/03/2026

Dobko & Wheaton LLP will be closed on Monday, September 7, for Labour Day.

Our office will reopen on Tuesday, September 8, during regular business hours.

We hope everyone enjoys a safe and relaxing Labour Day long weekend.

“What happens if you want out?”When people go into business together, most of the planning naturally focuses on getting ...
09/01/2026

“What happens if you want out?”

When people go into business together, most of the planning naturally focuses on getting started. Who owns what? Who does what? How will the business grow?

But one of the details that can be easy to overlook is what happens when someone eventually wants to leave.

A business partner may decide to retire, pursue another opportunity, relocate, or simply no longer want to be involved. Without a clear plan for that possibility, questions can arise quickly. Can they sell their interest to anyone? Does the other owner have the opportunity to buy it first? How will the business be valued? What happens if the owners can't agree on a price?

These are the kinds of details that can be addressed in a shareholder or partnership agreement before anyone is actually looking for the exit.

Planning for how a business relationship might end isn't being pessimistic. It gives everyone a clearer understanding of their options and can help protect the business if circumstances change.

Throughout September, our “The Fine Print” series will look at the details that are easy to overlook but can make a significant difference when you need them.

If you are starting a business with someone or already have a business partner, Dobko & Wheaton can help you understand your options and ensure your agreements reflect what you want to happen in the future. Call 780.539.6200 to schedule a consultation.

Address

10022 102 Avenue
Grande Prairie, AB
T8V0Z7

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4pm

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Dobko & Wheaton posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Dobko & Wheaton:

Shortcuts

Share