Who Qualifies for Legal Aid Alberta Family Law Help?

If money is tight and you are dealing with separation, parenting or support issues, Legal Aid Alberta may be the first place you look. Whether you qualify depends on rules the service sets and updates, so it helps to know what to ask.

This article explains what Legal Aid Alberta is, what to confirm with them, and what other help you can use while you find out. It does not give a cut-off, because that is best confirmed directly.

This article covers the law of Alberta.

What Legal Aid Alberta offers

Legal Aid Alberta provides legal advice and representation to eligible people. Its information line is 1.866.845.3425.

Family matters in Alberta can involve several kinds of issues. The Court of King's Bench has sole jurisdiction over divorce and property division, and it also handles child and spousal support and parenting. Which of these Legal Aid Alberta will help with, and how much help it gives, is something to confirm with them for your situation.

Income limits and other eligibility questions

How Legal Aid decides who is eligible depends on your situation, so it is worth confirming the current details directly with Legal Aid Alberta. Figures quoted on websites, forums or in news stories may be out of date, so do not rely on them. Ask Legal Aid Alberta directly about the following.

• The current income limit for your household size.
• Whether your type of family matter is covered.
• Whether there is a limit on the hours of help you can receive.
• What documents you need to apply.
• Whether you need to apply again if your matter continues.

Do not confuse legal aid with a court fee waiver.

The court fee waiver is a separate step

Even with free or low-cost legal help, filing in court costs money. A Statement of Claim for Divorce in King's Bench is $310, which includes a $10 fee to register with the Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings in Ottawa. A claim under the Family Law Act is $100, a response under that Act has no fee, and an application in the course of an action in King's Bench is $100.

A person who cannot afford filing fees may apply by completing the Application for Fee Waiver and Statement of Finances form and submitting it at the court where they plan to file. The household income thresholds are below.

A fee waiver covers court filing fees only. You may still owe other costs such as search requests or photocopying. You cannot get a fee waiver if you are representing a business or an estate.

What counts as your household, and what to bring

For the fee waiver, family living in your household includes relatives by blood or marriage, common-law or interdependent adult partners, and children by blood or adoption if you have at least 50% custody.

• Your most recent tax return or notice of assessment, or pay stubs or other proof of income for the last 3 months for all income sources.
• A spouse's, common-law partner's or adult interdependent partner's proof of income for the last 3 months.
• If you are unemployed, proof of your income source and amount, such as an Employment Insurance or Social Allowance statement.

Since January 13, 2026, lawyers with a Law Society of Alberta Bar ID can file through the King's Bench Family and Divorce Filing Digital Service when a fee exemption applies. That includes a client holding a Legal Aid certificate or a filing that includes a granted, signed fee waiver. Proof of fee-exempt status is required at filing.

What to do next

• Call the Legal Aid Alberta information line at 1.866.845.3425 and ask about eligibility for your family matter.
• If you get a court fee waiver, remember it covers court filing fees only, and you may still owe costs such as search requests or photocopying.
• If you appeal to a higher court after a lower court granted your waiver, bring your approved form to the Registry office where you file.
• If you may need to file in court, ask about the fee waiver at the court where you plan to file.
• If you are turned down, ask about other free or low-cost help, such as family court counsellors.

The Court and Justice Services Contact Centre, at 1.855.738.4747, offers programs at no cost or nominal charge and help with court forms and filing.

Frequently asked questions