Child Custody, Parenting & Guardianship Services

Protecting your children’s best interests through expert legal advocacy and compassionate guidance.

Child-Centered Legal Solutions for Alberta Families

When parents separate, the well-being of children becomes the primary concern. At Jaswal Law, we understand that establishing appropriate parenting arrangements is crucial for your children's emotional health and development. Our experienced family lawyers guide parents through the legal process of creating parenting plans that prioritize stability, security, and meaningful relationships.

We approach each case with sensitivity and respect, recognizing that you know your children best. Our goal is to help you establish parenting arrangements that reflect your family's unique needs while safeguarding your children's best interests.

Free 30-Minute Consultations Available – Call us at 780-737-9999 or email info@jaswal-law.ca to discuss your parenting concerns with our experienced team.

Our Approach to Parenting Matters

Jaswal Law recognizes that each family is unique. We take the time to understand your specific circumstances, your children's needs, and your parenting goals before developing legal strategies that work for your situation.

Child-Focused Solutions

Our family lawyers approach parenting matters with one central question: "What arrangement best serves the children's interests?" We help parents create solutions that:

Maintain strong parent-child bonds with both parents whenever possible Provide stability and routine during a time of change Minimize conflict and stress for children Address each child's unique developmental needs Support children's existing connections to schools, activities, and extended family

When parents can work together cooperatively, children adjust better to family transitions. Our team encourages collaborative approaches while still vigorously advocating for your parental rights when necessary

Understanding Parenting Terminology

Alberta family law uses specific terminology for parenting arrangements that differs from what you might hear in other provinces:

Parenting Orders have replaced the traditional terms "custody" and "access" in Alberta's Family Law Act. These orders address both parenting time (physical care) and parenting responsibilities (decision-making authority).

Guardianship refers to the legal right and responsibility to make significant decisions about a child's life, including education, healthcare, religion, and legal matters.

Contact Orders determine when non-guardians (such as grandparents or other relatives) may spend time with a child.

Our lawyers help you navigate these legal concepts while focusing on what matters most - creating stable, nurturing environments for your children during and after separation.

Comprehensive Parenting Services

A well-crafted parenting plan provides clear guidance and reduces conflict. Our lawyers help you develop comprehensive agreements covering:

Residential Schedules: Creating predictable routines for weekdays, weekends, school breaks, and holidays

Decision-Making Protocols: Establishing how parents will make important decisions about education, healthcare, religious upbringing, and extracurricular activities

Communication Guidelines: Setting expectations for parent-to-parent communication and parent-child contact when apart

Special Occasions: Planning for birthdays, family traditions, and other significant events

Travel Arrangements: Addressing vacation planning and travel consent requirements

Dispute Resolution Methods: Creating pathways to resolve disagreements without returning to court

Whether through negotiation, mediation, or formal court applications, we help establish parenting arrangements that provide clarity and stability.

Guardianship Matters

In Alberta, guardianship encompasses important legal rights and responsibilities regarding children. Our services include:

Guardianship Applications: Assisting when non-parents (such as grandparents or step-parents) need legal authority to care for children

Guardianship Disputes: Resolving conflicts between guardians about decision-making authority

Termination of Guardianship: Handling cases where a guardian's rights may need to be limited or terminated

Testamentary Guardianship: Helping parents designate guardians through their wills to care for children in the event of their death

Our lawyers provide clear guidance on your rights and responsibilities as a guardian under Alberta law.

Mobility & Relocation Cases

When a parent wishes to relocate with children after separation, complex legal issues arise. Our team provides skilled representation in:

Proposed Relocation Applications: Assisting parents who need to move for employment, family support, or other legitimate reasons

Objections to Relocation: Representing parents opposing a move that would disrupt their relationship with their children

Long-Distance Parenting Plans: Developing practical arrangements that preserve relationships despite geographic distance

Travel Consent Issues: Addressing concerns about international travel and return of children

With significant experience in mobility cases, our lawyers understand the factors courts consider and how to present compelling arguments for or against relocation.

High-Conflict Parenting Situations

Some families face ongoing conflict that makes co-parenting particularly challenging. In these cases, we provide specialized assistance with:

Structured Parenting Plans: Creating detailed arrangements that minimize direct contact between high-conflict parents

Parallel Parenting Approaches: Developing strategies that allow each parent to parent independently during their time with the children

Communication Tools: Implementing specialized communication platforms and protocols to reduce conflict

Supervised Access: Arranging appropriate supervision when safety concerns exist

Court Enforcement: Taking necessary steps when parenting orders are not being followed

Our goal is always to shield children from parental conflict while helping parents develop sustainable parenting solutions.

Why Choose Jaswal Law for Parenting Matters

Child-Centered Advocacy

At Jaswal Law, we never lose sight of what matters most - your children's wellbeing. Our lawyers approach parenting cases with sensitivity to children's developmental needs and the importance of family stability. We prioritize solutions that protect children from parental conflict while nurturing their relationships with both parents when appropriate.

Practical, Future-Focused Solutions

Parenting arrangements need to work in the real world and adapt as children grow. Our lawyers create practical solutions that address your family's daily realities while building in flexibility for future changes. We help clients look beyond current conflicts to envision positive co-parenting relationships that benefit their children long-term.

Local Court Knowledge

With extensive experience in Alberta family courts, our lawyers understand how local judges approach parenting matters. This insight allows us to provide realistic guidance about likely outcomes and develop strategies tailored to your specific circumstances and jurisdiction.

Book Your Free 30-Minute Family Law Consultation

The sooner you understand your legal options, the sooner you can make informed decisions about your future.

Our no-obligation consultation gives you the opportunity to discuss your specific family law situation, get preliminary answers to your most pressing questions, learn about potential approaches to your case, understand what to expect from the legal process, and determine if our firm is the right fit for your needs.

Proudly serving families throughout the Edmonton region including Beaumont, Edmonton, Leduc, Nisku, Sherwood Park, Camrose, Wetaskiwin and all surrounding communities.

FAQ's

How are parenting decisions made in Alberta courts?

Alberta courts make decisions based on what is in the “best interests of the child.” Factors considered include the child’s physical, psychological, and emotional needs, the child’s relationship with each parent, each parent’s ability to care for the child, the child’s cultural, linguistic, religious, and spiritual upbringing, the child’s views and preferences (depending on age and maturity), each parent’s willingness to support the child’s relationship with the other parent, any history of family violence, and the stability of proposed parenting arrangements.

Can parenting arrangements be modified after they're established?

The courts utilize the best interests of the children to determine parenting time and decision making. Parenting time is the amount of time the children are physically in either parent’s care and control. Decision making is in regards to the decisions for the children including health care, travel, school, daycare, and others. Decision making is typically jointly shared between both parents.

What if the other parent isn't following our parenting order?

When a parent fails to comply with a parenting order, several enforcement options exist, including requesting assistance from the court to enforce the order, seeking make-up parenting time, and applying for contempt proceedings in serious cases. Our team can advise on the most appropriate approach based on your specific situation.

How is decision-making authority determined?

In Alberta, decision-making (previously called “legal custody”) can be structured in several ways: joint decision-making, where parents consult and agree on major decisions, divided decision-making, where each parent has authority over specific areas, and sole decision-making, where one parent has primary authority. The right approach depends on the parents’ ability to communicate and cooperate effectively.

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Our Happy Clients

Our company was established in 2004. We started as a small legal consultancy. We have proved our competence and had many satisfied clients. We expanded our activity and started providing many other juridical services to

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Support 24/7

Martha Maldonado

Co-Funder

We offer services in multiple languages including English, Punjabi, Hindi, and Tagalog

Areas We Serve

We are proud to be based in Beaumont and serve the Greater Edmonton Area including Leduc, Nisku, Sherwood Park and more. Our dedicated legal professionals are committed to helping you navigate the legal system with confidence.

At Jaswal Law, we understand that family law matters require both legal expertise and compassionate guidance. Our experienced team takes the time to understand your unique situation and works diligently to achieve outcomes that protect your family's best interests. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Closed For Holidays (21 Dec. 2023 - 2 Jan. 2024)