Canadian Legal FAQs

Published by the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta

  • Home
  • Alberta FAQs
  • National FAQs
  • Contact Us
Alberta FAQs >Families & Relationships >Family Law Act

Family Law Act

The laws about property division for unmarried couples changed on January 1, 2020.

The new rules are similar to those that apply to married couples.

See our Property Division for Married and Unmarried Couples booklet for more information.

What is the Family Law Act?

The Family Law Act (FLA) is Alberta’s main family law. It came into effect on October 1, 2005. It covers most family law matters, except for divorce.

Last Reviewed: September 2019

What does the Family Law Act cover?

The Family Law Act covers many family law matters, including:

  • determining who are the parents and guardians of a child;
  • parenting and contact orders (time with children);
  • child support;
  • spousal or partner support.

Last Reviewed: September 2019

What does the Family Law Act not cover?

The Family Law Act does not cover:

  • child welfare matters (see the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act);
  • adoptions (see the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act);
  • divorces (see the Divorce Act);
  • children’s property under the Minor’s Property Act;
  • division of property (see the Family Property Act);
  • definition of adult interdependent relationships (see the Adult Interdependent Relationships Act).

See below for links to more FAQs on some of the topics listed above.

Last Reviewed: January 2020

Where can I get further information about the Family Law Act?

For more information about the Act and family law in general:

  • LawCentral Alberta – links to resources about family law
  • Government of Alberta – Family law assistance webpage
  • Government of Alberta – Information on law law legislation and resources. Page provides links to resources on child support, spousal support, parenting arrangements, court forms and procedures, child protection and private guardianship.
  • Alberta King’s Printer – for copies of Alberta legislation
  • Your lawyer can help if you have questions or need legal advice on personal family law matters.
  • If you do not have a lawyer, call the Law Society of Alberta Lawyer Referral service toll-free in Alberta at 1-800-661-1095.
  • Legal Aid Alberta
  • Maintenance Enforcement Program
  • Alberta Children’s Services
  • Alberta Family Mediation Society – to find a family law mediator in Alberta

Last Reviewed: September 2019

See Also

For more information, see these other Canadian Legal FAQs:

  • Adoption Records in Alberta
  • Adult Interdependent Relationships
  • Grandparents and Grandchildren
  • Marriage
  • Protection Against Family Violence Act
  • Divorce (including custody, access, child support and moving with children)

Links to more resources…

  • CPLEA’s Family Law Series – booklets in the series include information on:
    • Child custody and Parenting
    • Financial Support
    • Property Division for Married and Unmarried Couples
    • Young Parents
    • Representing Yourself in Family Court
  • Alberta Courts – court forms for family law matters
  • Alberta Justice videos – providing various guides for getting a divorce
  • Alberta Family Property Act
  • Parenting After Separation – online course for parents about the separation and divorce process, the effects of separation and divorce on children, techniques for communication, and legal information that affects parents and children.
  • Parenting After Separation (PAS) Parent’s Guide
  • Parenting After Separation for Families in High Conflict Parent’s Guide
  • Student Legal Services – Children at Risk – Child Welfare: A 2015 Alberta Guide to the Law
     

COVID-19 for Albertans FAQ

The Centre for Public Legal Education respectfully acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 4, 6, 7, 8 and 10 territories, the traditional lands of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.

Copyright © 2023 · Swank WordPress Theme By, PDCD

Font Resize
Contrast
Accessibility by WAH
  • #47 (no title)
  • About Us
  • Alberta FAQs
    • Cannabis
      • Buying, Using & Growing Cannabis in Alberta
      • Cannabis in Condos and Rentals
      • Cannabis in the Workplace
      • Impaired Driving and Cannabis
    • Consumer Law
      • Consumer Protection
        • Collection and Debt Repayment
        • Cost of Credit Disclosure
        • Credit and Personal Reports
        • The Consumer Protection Act
    • Courts and Court Services
      • Pre-Trial Applications
      • Searching Court Records
    • Employment Law
      • Employment Standards
        • Difference Between Employees and Independent Contractors
        • Employment Contract
        • Employment Law – General Information
        • Enforcement of Employment Standards
        • General Holidays & General Holiday Pay
        • Hours of Work
        • Job-Protected Leaves
        • Maternity & Parental Leave
        • Overtime
        • Pay
        • Termination & Temporary Layoff
        • Vacations & Vacation Pay
      • Occupational Health and Safety
      • Discrimination & Bullying at Work
    • Families & Relationships
      • Family Law Act
      • Adoption Records in Alberta
      • Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship
      • Adult Interdependent Relationships
      • Contact with a Child
      • Grandparents and Grandchildren
      • Marriage
      • Moving With or Without Children
      • Parenting after a Separation or Divorce
      • Spousal Support And Partner Support
      • Abuse & Family Violence
        • Protection Against Family Violence Act – More Information
        • Protection Against Family Violence Act – The Basics
      • Child Support
    • Legal Services
      • Commissioners for Oaths and Notaries Public (Alberta)
      • Hiring a Lawyer
    • Organ Donation
    • Real Estate and Renting
      • Land Titles
      • Laws for Landlords and Tenants in Alberta
      • Real Estate – General Information
      • Renting 101
    • Recreational Activities
      • Bicycle Laws
      • E-Scooters
      • Gambling
    • Relationship Violence
    • Wills and Estates in Alberta
      • Being a Personal Representative
      • Being an Agent
      • Being an Attorney under an Enduring Power of Attorney
      • General Powers of Attorney
      • Making a Personal Directive
      • Making a Will
      • Making an Enduring Power of Attorney
    • Youth and the Law in Alberta
      • How old do I have to be?
        • General Legal Info for Youth
        • Youth & Being a Good Citizen
        • Youth & Criminal Law
        • Youth & Family Law
        • Youth & Recreational Activities
        • Youth & School
        • Youth & Work
        • Youth Financial & Legal Issues
        • Youth Health & Medical Issues
  • Contact Us
  • COVID-19 FAQs for Albertans
    • States of Emergency
  • CPLEA Copyright
  • Disclaimer
  • Municipal Law
    • Neighbourhood Disputes
      • Snow Shoveling Slackers
    • Short-term rentals
  • National FAQs
    • Abuse of Older Adults
    • Access to Personal Information and the federal Privacy Act
    • Bankruptcy
    • CASL – Canada Anti-Spam Legislation
      • CASL – Definitions
      • CASL – FAQs
      • CASL – Key Provisions
      • CASL – Penalities
      • CASL – The Regulators
      • CASL – Timelines
    • Charity Law
    • Charter of Rights and Freedoms
    • Coalition Government
      • Prorogation of Parliament
    • Commissioners for Oaths and Notaries Public
    • Constitution of Canada
    • Constitutional Language Rights
      • Education Rights
      • Judicial Rights
      • Language Rights – Additional Resources
      • Language Rights – More Information
      • Rights Regarding Access to Legislation & Government Publications
      • Rights Regarding Government Services & Communications
      • General Information (Language Rights)
    • Contracts and Consumer Information
    • Criminal Code
      • Ban on Conversion Therapy
      • Criminal Code – General
      • Joyriding.
      • Shoplifting
    • Divorce
      • Divorce Law Basics
      • Moving and the Divorce Act
    • History and Development of Unions in Canada
      • Definitions and Types of Unions
      • History of Unions – During and Post WWII
      • History of Unions – Pre WWII
    • Travel
      • Departure, Arrival and Customs
      • Passports
        • Documentation and Guarantors
        • Passports – Change of Information
        • Passports – Children
        • Passports – General Information
      • Travel – Additional Resources
      • Travelling with Children
      • Visas and Dual Nationality
      • While You’re Away
    • Youth and Criminal Law in Canada
      • Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA)
        • Arrest and Police (YCJA)
        • Extrajudicial Measures and Sanctions (YCJA)
        • Introduction (YCJA)
        • Youth Court (YCJA)
  • Search Results
MENU
  • Home
  • Alberta FAQs
  • National FAQs
  • Contact Us

Canadian Legal FAQs is a website of the Centre for Public Legal Education.

This website provides general legal information only. It does not provide legal or professional advice.

See Disclaimer for more information. Copyright 2017 Legal Resource Centre of Alberta.