Independent Legal Advice Edmonton
Edmonton Independent Legal Advice Lawyers
At Helm Family Law LLP, our lawyers have experience providing independent legal advice on family agreements. Whether you need independent legal advice on a separation agreement, prenuptial agreement, postnuptial agreement or cohabitation agreement, we have you covered.
Agreements after signed are in most cases binding, that’s why it is crucial to understand what you are signing. Our lawyers are able to explain your agreement in simple, easy to understand terms, and advise you whether the terms of the agreement protect your interests.
Contact us today to schedule your consultation with one of our family lawyers.
What is Independent Legal Advice?
Independent legal advice is where both parties to an agreement meet separately with their own lawyers to receive legal advice on the terms of their agreement.
Independent legal advice helps both parties to fully understand the terms, implications, and consequences of an agreement before they sign it. In most cases, family agreements are binding and can have significant long term consequences making properly understanding what is being signed crucial.
How Much Does Independent Legal Advice Cost?
The cost of independent legal advice will generally be between $750 to $1,500 but may be more or less depending on the complexity of the agreement.
The cost of independent legal advice varies based on several factors:
1. Complexity: The more complex the agreement, the more time it takes to review it. In some cases involving party complex financial issues, both parties may have to involve experts such as accountants in addition to their own separate lawyers.
2. Financial Disclosure: If providing independent advice involves reviewing financial disclosure, as will often be required to accurately advise as to whether an agreement is fair and accurately reflects what a party may be entitled to, the time required to provide independent legal advice increases and accordingly so may the legal fees.
3. Revisions: If upon reviewing your agreement it is determined that revisions are required before the agreement can be safely signed, then additional costs may arise from negotiating revisions to the agreement.
Do I Need Independent Legal Advice For Divorce?
Whether independent legal advice is needed for divorce depends on the circumstances. If the parties are entering a Separation Agreement to resolve issues like parenting, child support, property division, or spousal support, then independent legal advice is strongly encouraged so that the separation agreement will be binding.
Why Independent Legal Advice Is Important
When a person signs Family Agreement, such as a Prenuptial Agreement, Post-nuptial Agreement, Cohabitation Agreement, or Separation Agreement, they are binding themselves to the terms contained within the agreement. These terms can have long term consequences on their life and the life of their family.
Independent legal advice is not a formality or rubber-stamping exercise. Rather, it provides an opportunity for each party to have their agreement thoroughly reviewed by a lawyer who represents only their interests. During this process, their lawyer explains the agreement’s terms, discusses the legal implications and consequences, identifies potential risks or benefits, and ensures their client fully understands what they are agreeing to before signing.
Challenging any agreement where both parties have received independent legal advice is complex, highly fact dependent, and very expensive. In most cases, agreements also contain a “solicitor-client cost clause” requiring a party who fails to comply with an agreement to pay the other’s legal fees for the costs of enforcing the agreement.
If there are any issues with an agreement, these are best addressed before signing it.
Need Independent Legal Advice? Call us at 780-760-1388 today to schedule your no-obligation consultation with one of our family lawyers.
Our Family Lawyers
The lawyers at Helm Family Law LLP have over 25 years of combined experience in providing professional, personalized, legal services. Read more about our family lawyers at the “Our Team” page.
Our lawyers represent those needing independent legal advice in Edmonton, Red Deer, Wetaskiwin, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Leduc, St. Paul, Grande Prairie, Peace River, Barrhead, and all of Northern Alberta.
Office Location
Address:
9452 51 Avenue, Building 3, Suite 202, Edmonton, AB T6E 5A6
Contact Information:
Phone: (780) 760-1388
Facsimile: (780) 760-1389