What is a retainer & how does it work?
A retainer is an initial payment prior to conducting any work on your file. The retainer is held in a trust account and is drawn from as work is conducted on your file, in compliance with strict accounting rules of the Law Society of Alberta.
What should I expect as far as rates & fees?
Emma’s hourly rate is $425, associate lawyers are $350/hour and our legal assistants are $175/hour. We can provide you with more information and a detailed fee estimate over the phone, as the total cost of your matter will depend on the number and complexity of issues involved.
What are your payment options?
We accept all forms of credit card, cheque, Interac E-Transfer, bank draft, & cash. Payment plans are available to clients on a case-by-case basis.
What is Independent Legal Advice (ILA)?
ILA is required when signing certain legal or financial documents as it relates to many family, corporate, and estate matters. A lawyer is retained for ILA to ensure that a client is informed and capable of consenting to the terms contained in an agreement or contract between parties. We typically charge a flat fee of $750 +GST for ILA.
Are there alternatives to litigation if I don’t want to go to court?
Emma discourages her clients from pursuing litigation, when possible. Mandatory dispute resolution procedures currently take place in Alberta, which include things like mediation, arbitration, Judicial Dispute Resolution, and party-party negotiations. Sometimes court intervention is unavoidable to prevent damage or harm to someone or their property, or if negotiations with the opposing party have reached an impasse.
What is M.E.P. & how does it work?
MEP stands for Maintenance Enforcement Program. MEP has the ability to enforce the payment of support from one party to another. A payor can be subject to driver’s licence restrictions, wage/bank account garnishment, and passport invalidation for non-payment of payments enforced by MEP. A court order is required to change a payment arrangement or to vary the payment amount, in most circumstances.
How should I prepare for my appointment?
Come up with a list of questions you have and have it handy for your appointment.
Ensure that you have a valid piece of photo ID if it is your first appointment.
Let us know if you plan to have a support person accompanying you to your appointment.
Gather and organize any relevant documents sequentially in a folder or binder prior to your appointment to maximize the value of your appointment.
If you are involved in a separation or divorce, do your Client Homework. We cannot and will not assist you until we receive your homework, formally known as your financial disclosure.
How long will it take to conclude my matter?
Simple court applications or out-of-court negotiations can be concluded in as little as one month, depending on the complexity of the matter and degree of conflict (among other things). Litigation can take months or years to resolve, with trials longer than a singleday being booked about 2 years down the road in most Alberta jurisdictions.
My child is travelling. Do I need a travel consent?
Children who are travelling without a parent or guardian outside of Canada require an international consent form to be signed by the non-travelling parent(s) or guardian(s). This Travel Consent Form no longer needs to be executed in the presence of a lawyer or notary.
