What to Look For
- Experience: Focused practice in family law
- Reputation: Good standing with Law Society of Alberta
- Communication: Responsive and explains things clearly
- Approach: Matches your goals (settlement vs litigation)
- Availability: Has capacity for your case
- Comfort: You feel heard and respected
Questions to Ask
About Their Practice
- How long have you practiced family law?
- What percentage of your practice is family law?
- Have you handled cases similar to mine?
About Your Case
- What's your assessment of my situation?
- What approach do you recommend?
- What's the likely timeline?
About Fees & Process
- What are your fees and billing practices?
- What's the estimated total cost?
- Do you offer payment plans?
Understanding Fees
| Fee Structure | Description |
|---|---|
| Hourly Rate | $250-$500/hour in Edmonton, billed in 6-minute increments |
| Retainer | Upfront deposit ($2,500-$10,000+), billed against |
| Flat Fee | Fixed price for specific services (uncontested divorce) |
| Unbundled | Pay only for specific tasks (document review) |
Red Flags to Avoid
- Guarantees specific outcomes
- Pressures you to sign immediately
- Won't explain fees in writing
- Badmouths other lawyers or your ex
- Doesn't return calls or emails promptly
- Too busy to meet or seems distracted
- Not in good standing with Law Society
- Suggests unethical strategies
Frequently Asked Questions
Ask about: their experience with cases like yours, their approach to negotiation vs litigation, fee structure and estimated costs, who will handle your file, expected timeline, communication methods, and their assessment of your case strengths and weaknesses.
Edmonton family lawyers typically charge $250-$500 per hour depending on experience. Simple uncontested divorces may cost $1,500-$3,000. Contested matters can range from $10,000 to $50,000+. Many offer free initial consultations and payment plans.
Red flags include: guaranteeing specific outcomes, pressuring you to sign immediately, not explaining fees clearly, badmouthing your ex or other lawyers, not returning calls promptly, being too busy to meet, and not being a Law Society member in good standing.