The Art and Science of Dispute Resolution

04/05/2026

Very few people enjoy collecting their financial disclosure in Family Law cases. However, having a clear and accurate understanding of the family financial situation is critical to arriving at a fair, equitable and sustainable financial settlement.

The Court FFP protocols emphasis this by stopping cases from advancing for the attention of the Court Justices if financial disclosure is not complete and filed with the court.

If you withhold financial information the financial settlement could be overturned and reassessed along with financial ( and possibly other) consequences to the person who failed to disclose relevant information. This applies more to undisclosed assets as few will complain if debts or liabilities were not disclosed.

The financial disclosure should be kept updated. When kept updated on a regular basis the ‘pain’ of disclosure is much less than the initial collecting of relevant information.

I would suggest updating disclosure every 6 months.

A settlement that will later be opened up and reassessed wastes the effort, time and money invested in arriving at the financial settlement in the first place.

04/03/2026

As of January 1st 2026 the Family Focused Protocol requires that Family Law cases scheduled to be heard by a Kings Bench Court Justice first undergo some form of Alternate Dispute Resolution . ( ADR).
Some lawyers will tell you that have 4 way settlement meetings should be enough to meet that requirement.
When the lawyers’ and parties’ focus is truly on finding an Interest based solution ( ie they commit to the ADR process) this might be true.
For others their comfort zone lies not in working to reach negotiated Interest Based solutions , rather they are looking past the ADR to having a Justice decide. They would have you ‘jumping through the hoop’ of ADR. If you do this then ADR is most likely to fail.
If the parties or their lawyers could have done this on their own they would not be asking the court to get involved. Therefore 4 way party- lawyer meetings should be followed by meetings with a mediator to try to resolve the disagreements before you leave major decisions in your life to someone, the Justice, who does not have to live with the consequences of decisions made.

04/18/2025

My legal assistant of over 10 years is moving on to new challenges.
If you are a capable legal assistant interested in working in a family law practice with a solo practitioner in Sherwood Park, with a focus on dispute resolution, please visit our website (adrsolutions.ca) and send your resume to [email protected].

Resolution begins with collaboration. We work with families and individuals to find cooperative solutions to conflict. REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT Divorce in Canada Common-Law Relationship and Family Property Parenting Coordination Children’s Lawyer Collaborative Family Law Mediation  The Court Proc...

02/25/2025

Collaborative Divorce is about transparency, respect, and collaboration.
✔ Full disclosure of financial and relevant info.
✔ Good-faith negotiations—no threats or Court Orders.
✔ Creative, win-win solutions for your family.

This process focuses on interest-based negotiation and addressing the true needs of everyone involved, especially your children.

Because everyone involved commits to freely disclosing necessary information, formal measures such as court orders are unnecessary. There are no argumentative, accusatory, or threatening letters between lawyers, no unreasonable positions, and no sworn statements with hurtful accusations.

02/18/2025

What is a Parenting Coordinator?

Parenting Coordination Sherwood Park’s Trusted Parenting Coordinator Sometimes the challenge of how to parent your children continues even after all other questions have been settled. That’s when you need to look for a parenting coordinator with experience of at least 10 years, in dealing with d...

02/11/2025

The new mandatory Family Law requirements at the Court of King's Bench of Alberta mean that parties must participate in some form of Alternate Dispute Resolution ("ADR"). Oftentimes, ADR is successful in keeping your matter out of the Courtroom. Contact us to learn more about how the mediation process could work for you.

Mediation Your Mediation Lawyer in Sherwood Park Almost all conflicts arise from miscommunication and can result in you not seeing all the available options. Mediation is a powerful tool that can help make your divorce and separation a better experience. A mediator can help you both sit down and hav...

02/06/2025

✔️ Seeking a respectful, cost-effective divorce process?
✔️ Want to prioritize your family’s well-being and avoid court battles?
✔️ Value privacy and long-term harmony?

Collaborative Divorce: Is It Right for You?

✔️ Seeking a respectful, cost-effective divorce process?
✔️ Want to prioritize your family’s well-being and avoid court battles?
✔️ Value privacy and long-term harmony?

Collaborative Divorce could be the solution. Work with trained professionals to achieve fair, customized agreements tailored to your unique goals.

Take control of your journey—your family deserves it.
Learn more: https://collaborativepractice.ca/collaborative-divorce-overview/is-collaborative-divorce-right-for-you/

11/28/2024

Can a Collaborative Divorce cost less than litigation?

Is a Collaborative Divorce less expensive than a traditional litigated one?

Yes, it can be! The Collaborative Process eliminates the need for court appearances, multiple experts, and drawn-out legal battles, focusing on efficient settlements through meetings between both parties and their lawyers. This not only reduces stress but can also lower the financial burden of divorce.

The pace of reaching an agreement impacts the overall cost, so your Collaborative Professional can guide you on the specifics.

Learn more: www.collaborativepractice.ca.

11/07/2024

“You are writing the story of your children’s divorce..”
https://youtu.be/6h5mkn61GHQ?si=3QYH6vGYZaDFlwtB

Grounded in respect, the Collaborative Family Law process provides the safe place you need to navigate one of the toughest challenges for your family. Call us for a free consultation to see how we can help.

10/31/2024

How is the Collaborative Process different from Litigation?

Unlike traditional litigation, which is often adversarial and focuses on each party’s competing desires, Collaborative Divorce promotes open communication and cooperative problem-solving. Collaborative lawyers act as educators and advocates, helping both parties understand each other’s needs and reach a mutually beneficial agreement—without going to court.

Ready to learn more about this respectful and efficient approach to divorce?

Read more FAQs here: https://collaborativepractice.ca/collaborative-divorce-overview/faqs/