With offices located in Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, and Wetaskiwin, the Family Law Office (FLO) assists clients who have a family law legal problem and who have qualified for services through Legal Aid Alberta.  FLO staff lawyers provide legal representation to clients in all levels of court for matters including:

• separation and divorce
• custody, access, parenting orders, contact orders
• child maintenance and spousal support
• guardianship
• child protection/child welfare
• matrimonial property disputes
• representation of children
• grandparent contact orders
• Hague Convention applications

Structure

FLO operates under the supervision of a Senior Counsel, who is hired by and reports to the Legal Aid Alberta President and CEO.  Supporting the Senior Counsel, are two Assistant Senior Counsel, who are responsible for the day-to-day activities in their respective offices. (Edmonton and Calgary/Lethbridge)  Staff lawyers provide legal assistance to clients.  In addition to providing legal assistance, FLO also employs Family Resource Facilitators, individuals that work directly with clients to resolve any related personal and/or family issues.

Specialized Services

Family Resource Facilitators

The Family Law Office also offers the assistance of a Family Resource Facilitator (FRF).  These individuals work as part of a legal team to provide services to clients with engaged in family law related matters. FRF’s only work with clients who have lawyers at the Family Law Office. The FRF helps clients to address personal problems by identifying options and developing strategies to cope with their issues.  Under the direction of a client’s lawyer, this may include:  

• advocacy
• crisis intervention
• information
• and/or referrals

In addition, the FRF helps ensure the client is clear on what is going on and what is expected of them.  They also report regularly to the client’s assigned lawyer about the progress of their client’s use of services and to receive any further directions as decided by the legal team.

Emergency Protection Order Program

The Family Law Office also helps victims of family violence through its Emergency Protection Order Program (EPOP).  Offered in Edmonton and Calgary (and surrounding areas), this program is free and there are no eligibility requirements.  This means that you do not have to apply for legal aid and/or be granted coverage to access this service.

The Emergency Protection Order Program provides clients with information and lawyers that can help them to obtain and confirm protection orders. These lawyers are staff lawyers that work at the Family Law Office and who attend court on a daily basis to represent clients who have experienced violence in their lives. The EPOP also provides ongoing information, risk assessments, and safety plans to victims of family violence.

If you or members of your family are victims of family violence, please call the Emergency Protection Order program:

In Edmonton: (780) 422-9222

In Calgary: (403) 355-4868

If you have been assaulted or if the threat of danger is immediate, call 911 or your local police department/RCMP detachment.