Do you take family law cases to trial?

Not at this time. I'm not currently accepting full-scope family law files headed for trial. My family law services focus on limited scope help — coaching, separation agreements, independent legal advice, and uncontested (desk) divorces. If your matter is likely headed to trial, I can point you toward options for full representation.

What is limited scope representation (or "legal coaching")?

It's legal help focused on the parts of your matter where you actually need a lawyer, instead of handing over your whole case. You stay in the driver's seat while I work in the background — advising you on procedure and next steps, weighing in on your facts, and taking on specific tasks like research or drafting when you need them. It keeps your costs predictable and you in control.

What if I need more help than my coaching package includes?

The monthly Assisted Self-Representation fee covers ongoing guidance and a weekly legal opinion. If you need extra work — legal research, drafting documents, or preparing for a court appearance — I can take that on at the Legal Aid rate of $125/hour, so you only pay for the additional help when you actually use it.

What is Independent Legal Advice (ILA), and do I need it?

Before you sign a separation agreement, it's strongly recommended — and sometimes required — that each person gets independent legal advice first. That means a lawyer who isn't acting for the other side reviews the agreement with you, confirms you understand it and aren't being pressured, and signs a Certificate of Independent Legal Advice. It helps the agreement hold up later on. I can provide that review and certificate.

Can you help both me and my ex with our separation agreement?

If the two of you already agree on all the terms, yes — I can prepare the agreement under a joint retainer. For the advice piece, though, a lawyer can only give independent legal advice to one of you, so the other party should get their own ILA from a different lawyer. With your mutual consent, I can provide ILA for one person.

What's a "desk divorce"?

It's an uncontested divorce granted based on the paperwork alone — no court hearing, and no one has to appear before a judge. If you and your spouse agree on everything, I can prepare and file the documents, arrange for service, and handle whatever follow-up the Court requires before your divorce is granted.

Family Lawyer in Cold Lake

Family matters are rarely simple — but you don't always need a lawyer to take over your whole case to get real help. I focus on limited scope representation, which means I support you with the specific parts of your matter where a lawyer makes the biggest difference, while keeping your costs predictable and you in control of the rest.

Please note: I'm not currently taking on full-scope family law files that are headed for trial. The services below are designed to give you meaningful legal guidance without the cost of full representation.

Assisted Self-Representation — $1,500/month + GST

Limited availability

Also known as legal coaching or a limited scope retainer, this service puts me in a behind-the-scenes role: you handle your matter day to day, and I'm there to guide you, weigh in on your facts, and step in for specific tasks when you need a lawyer's hand.

What's included:

Storage and organization of the documents you collect and send me (texts, emails, photos, reports)
Commissioner for Oaths / Notary Public services for your matter
Up to 5 hours per month working with you - giving advice on procedure and next steps; performing research; drafting documents; preparing for court appearances
- If you need more than 5 hours in any given month I can (subject to my availability) do additional work at the Legal Aid rate of $125/hour

What's not included:

Corresponding with the opposing party or their lawyer on your behalf
Attending court on your behalf

Independent Legal Advice (ILA) on Separation Agreements

Before you sign a separation agreement, each party should receive independent legal advice — a lawyer reviewing the agreement with you, making sure you understand it, and completing a Certificate of Independent Legal Advice. I provide that review and certificate.

$750 + GST — if the agreement was drafted by a lawyer
$1,500 + GST — if the agreement was self-drafted

Separation Agreement (Joint Retainer) — $2,500 + GST

If you and your former partner already agree on all the terms of your separation, I can prepare the agreement for you. Both of you should still receive independent legal advice; with your mutual consent, I can provide ILA for one of you.

(Can be broken down into $1,750 for the agreement and $750 for ILA for one party.)

Joint Desk Divorce Documents — $1,500 + GST

A desk divorce lets an uncontested divorce go through without a court hearing. This service covers preparing the documents the Court requires, completing them with you, arranging service on the other party for their signature, submitting everything to the Court, and troubleshooting any further documents or information the Court asks for before granting your Divorce Judgment.

Family Law FAQs

Not at this time. I'm not currently accepting full-scope family law files headed for trial.
My family law services focus on limited scope help — coaching, separation agreements, independent legal advice, and uncontested (desk) divorces.
If your matter is likely headed to trial, I can point you toward options for full representation.
It's legal help focused on the parts of your matter where you actually need a lawyer, instead of handing over your whole case. You stay in the driver's seat while I work in the background — advising you on procedure and next steps, weighing in on your facts, and taking on specific tasks like research or drafting when you need them. It keeps your costs predictable and you in control.
The monthly Assisted Self-Representation fee covers ongoing guidance and a weekly legal opinion.
If you need extra work — legal research, drafting documents, or preparing for a court appearance — I can take that on at the Legal Aid rate of $125/hour, so you only pay for the additional help when you actually use it.
Before you sign a separation agreement, it's strongly recommended — and sometimes required — that each person gets independent legal advice first.
That means a lawyer who isn't acting for the other side reviews the agreement with you, confirms you understand it and aren't being pressured, and signs a Certificate of Independent Legal Advice. It helps the agreement hold up later on. I can provide that review and certificate.
If the two of you already agree on all the terms, yes — I can prepare the agreement under a joint retainer.
For the advice piece, though, a lawyer can only give independent legal advice to one of you, so the other party should get their own ILA from a different lawyer. With your mutual consent, I can provide ILA for one person.
It's an uncontested divorce granted based on the paperwork alone — no court hearing, and no one has to appear before a judge. If you and your spouse agree on everything, I can prepare and file the documents, arrange for service, and handle whatever follow-up the Court requires before your divorce is granted.

Message Linnée

Have a legal question or ready to book a consultation? I'm available to help clients throughout Cold Lake and the Lakeland region.