Calgary Family Lawyers & Divorce Services
Fair, Respectful, Sensible Divorce. You can achieve it.
Alternatives to traditional divorce such as divorce mediation and collaborative divorce allow couples to respectfully negotiate a settlement on which to build their futures.
Beryl helps clients to focus on core priorities, such as maintaining good parenting relationships, preserving assets, or keeping a business.
Divorce does not have to be contentious and destructive. Calgary divorce lawyer Beryl McNeill offers divorcing and separating clients an efficient approach that preserves both personal and monetary assets.
We help you through every step of your Divorce
Divorce may become inevitable in a family but the destruction that accompanies it need not be. At McNeill Family Law, our family lawyers in Calgary focus on educating and empowering clients. We will help with the difficult decisions that need to be made with your separation, while also addressing the conflict, grief and loss that often accompanies a separation. Beryl McNeill a divorce lawyer and registered family mediator has extensive experience in dealing with complicated legal and emotional issues that often accompany a separation.
Best Divorce Lawyer Practices in Calgary
Discover McNeill Familly Law’s secrets to a successful divorce in our new video series.
Beryl McNeill is a respected Calgary divorce lawyer with over 25 years of experience practicing law. She’s demonstrated extensive knowledge in assisting clients by navigating a wide range of matters relating to your divorce from the most simple separation agreement you may need for your bank, to helping you address complicated property issues. She’s with you every step of the way to ensure your personal assets are not destroyed during your separation.
Our Calgary Divorce Services
Our divorce services include drafting separation agreements, pre-nuptial agreements, and cohabitation agreements.
Family Law Issues to be Resolved
At McNeill Family Law, our family lawyers in Calgary have extensive experience resolving all family law matters including child custody and access, child support, spousal support, and property division.
Why Choose McNeill Family Law
Cost-Effective & Quality Legal Services
Over 90% of family law cases are negotiated and settled without going to trial. The question is how long and how much money you have spent before you have achieved a negotiated agreement. McNeill Family Lawyers focuses on using efficient systems as well as helping you achieve a legal separation agreement in a timely, cost-effective way. At the same time, tailored to meet your objectives. If your objective is to achieve a separation and/or divorce that is smart, fair and efficient, you have come to the right place.
We handle each divorce case with care
Beryl works with clients from all walks of life. She has worked with every range of client conflict including amicable couples that want to divide their property and finances in a fair and sensible way. This also includes high conflict spouses that see the benefit of negotiating an agreement rather than engaging in the high cost of lengthy court proceedings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a Separation and Divorce?
What is a lawyer’s due diligence obligation when providing legal advice regarding Legal Agreements between spouses?
A lawyer’s obligation to provide independent legal advice relating to agreements between spouses, is more robust than the average person thinks.
A lawyer’s obligation to provide legal advice has been defined in the Alberta Court of Appeal Case, Webb v. Birkett, 2011 ABCA 13)
This case states that a lawyer has the obligation:
“a) To obtain sufficient reliable information to be able to ascertain what the client would likely receive or be required to pay for spousal support, child support and matrimonial property division should the matter be resolved at trial, and to so advise the client;
(b) To give the client a description of options to any proposed settlement, an opinion on whether any proposed settlement is reasonable, and a discussion of the pros and cons of that settlement in comparison to the other options so that any decision to settle is an informed decision; and
(c) To tell a client who takes the position that he or she wants to settle without having received full information from the other side that they may therefore be accepting less or paying more than what would be required according to law, and to provide to that client an assessment of the impact of the risk, including estimates of the value of what might be lost or paid above what was necessary, to the extent possible, on the basis of the information then available. A prudent solicitor would put this advice in writing to avoid later allegations of misunderstanding.”
How much does a Divorce cost?
The courthouses in Alberta charge a fixed filing fee related to filing divorce documents. However, a lawyer’s time involved in assisting you with negotiating the terms of your divorce are unique to your case. Your Divorce Judgment should address: child custody and parenting time; child support; and/or spousal support. You will have a better idea of what cost may be involved during your initial consultation with us. Please contact McNeill Family Law office to set up a consultation.
Do I have to wait a year before I get a Divorce?
Does a Separation Agreement in Alberta need to be filed with the Court?
What documentation does a Separation Agreement or Divorce require?
The type of documentation you require will depend on your family’s situation. Are there issues of child support, spousal support, and/or division of property? When you work with the McNeill Family Law office, we provide you with a customized summary of the documentation required and we will provide you with legal advice regarding the disclosure required for your situation.
Beryl McNeill was chosen as one of The 5 Best Family Lawyers in Calgary
How to Divorce Without Damaging Your Kids
To start, this article is going to begin with some bad news regarding how divorce can be damaging to your children. However, the good news is that knowledge...
Booking a Consultation with a McNeill Family Law
When booking a consultation with our family lawyers in Calgary we provide reliable and professional assistance throughout your divorce. We understand every separating couple and family is unique. Whether you’re a couple that can negotiate your separation agreement around your kitchen table or a couple that will need guidance, we can work out a process that fits your needs. It’s important to get smart information as early in your separation as possible. If you have any further questions or you would like to book a consultation with Beryl McNeill, please feel free to call.