Family Law

Do I need help applying to the Provincial Court of Alberta to become a child's legal guardian?

A: It depends – for example, the facts may not be simple and someone may want to oppose a guardianship application. In those situations, people applying to be made legal guardians may need help. Several sources can provide them help – for example:

1. Alberta Law Line provides detailed legal information to callers and can provide free legal advice by telephone to callers who qualify for advice. To see the qualifications for free legal advice, visit www.lawline.legalaid.ab.ca. To reach the Law Line, call 780-644-7777 in Edmonton and 1-866-845-3425, toll-free, elsewhere in Alberta.
2. Lawyers have experience making guardianship applications in court. Phone books provide the names and numbers of law offices and lawyers. Alberta’s Lawyer Referral Service gives out names and numbers for free – call 403-228-1722 in Calgary and 1 800 661-1095 elsewhere in Alberta.
3. Alberta’s Family Justice Services (FJS) may provide relevant help to people making guardianship applications. Alberta Justice and the Alberta courts partner to provide FJS. To reach FJS, go to www.albertacourts.ca or call Service Alberta at 310-0000, toll-free, and ask for Family Justice Services. FJS also has units that can help with guardianship applications, such as the Family Law Information Centre and Family Court Counsellor Services.
4. Alberta’s Family Law Information Centre (FLIC) provides information and education about family law, including making an application in Provincial Court. To reach FLIC, go to www.albertacourts.ca or call Service Alberta at 310-0000, toll-free, and ask for the Family Law Information Centre. Alternately, you can call FLIC at 780- 415-0404 in Edmonton, 403-297-6600 in Calgary and 403-297-6600 elsewhere in Alberta.
5. Alberta’s Family Court Counsellor Services (FCC) can help people apply to court for guardianship orders. FCC does not help people who have lawyers. To contact FCC, go to www.albertacourts.ca and click the link for Family Justice Services. Alternately, call 780- 427-8343 in Edmonton, 403-297-6981 in Calgary and 403-340-7187 elsewhere in Alberta. To reach any number, toll-free, dial Service Alberta at 310-0000 and, then, the area code and number.