Free Family Law Help and Clinics in Alberta: Where to Start

Not being able to afford a lawyer does not mean you have to work through a separation alone. Alberta has a range of free and low-cost supports for people handling family matters themselves.

This article lists the main ones, what each can do, and how to choose where to start. Services vary by location and change, so confirm details before you travel or rely on them.

This article covers the law of Alberta.

Start with family court counsellors

Family court counsellors, a Government of Alberta service, help self-represented people prepare for court, discuss issues, explore options and get referrals. For child-related disputes they can screen for family violence, negotiate agreements, prepare court applications, arrange court dates and refer to other programs. The service is for people who do not have a lawyer.

In some situations an intake appointment is required, such as when a court orders it, or when an application about parenting, guardianship, contact or enforcement of time is filed in the Court of Justice in Calgary or Edmonton. A self-represented litigant in Calgary who files certain Family Law Act applications also needs one.

Offices are open 8:15 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday. Examples include Calgary Courts Centre at 403-297-6981, Edmonton (John E. Brownlee Building) at 780-427-8343, Red Deer at 403-340-7187 and Lethbridge at 403-388-3102.

Other free or low-cost supports

Other telephone legal information lines and community legal clinics may also exist. Their services and hours change, so ask the Contact Centre or a family court counsellor what is currently offered near you.

Pre-court services and forms

Alberta's Family Justice Strategy offers pre-court services such as counselling and mediation on parenting, child support and spousal support. It also offers an online Parenting After Separation course for parents with minor children, and family court counsellor support for people representing themselves.

The source we have lists services in Calgary and Edmonton and a Red Deer launch that was planned for early 2025, so which services you can use may depend on where you live, and it is worth checking what is currently available in your area.

The Alberta government's family law kits provide court forms for lawyers and self-represented individuals, including affidavits, general applications, consent orders, support applications, responses and enforcement forms, and say support is available in preparing them. Fillable PDFs may not open properly on some mobile devices and browsers, so use a computer if you can.

Court rules that affect people without a lawyer

• Self-represented parties must complete the Family Justice Strategy Mandatory Requirements before using the Family Focused Protocol, including a meeting with a Family Court Counsellor where available, unless the matter is urgent or a waiver was obtained.
• The Alberta Rules of Court apply whether a person is self-represented or has a lawyer.
• A person who cannot afford filing fees may apply for a fee waiver.
• For court-directed parenting services such as Parental Conflict Intervention and Bi-Lateral Custody Assessments, the parties pay for the assessment but may qualify for a subsidy.

What to do next

• Call the Contact Centre at 1.855.738.4747 for help with forms and to ask what programs are offered.
• Contact the family court counsellor office nearest you and ask whether you need an intake appointment.
• Ask Legal Aid Alberta whether you may be eligible for advice or representation.
• Gather your documents and write a short timeline of key events before any appointment.
• If your matter is urgent or involves safety, say so when you call.

Frequently asked questions