Resource Hub

Please don’t!! Handwritten changes to a Will may make it invalid in Alberta if the changes are not made using the same legal requirements used in making the Will. Additionally, this may lead to an increase in challenges to your Will when you pass away, costing your estate to pay higher legal fees. If you require changes to your Will, it is best to make a new Will including these changes, this guarantees your wishes are set out accurately and prevents any challenges down the road. Contact us for more information about updating your estate planning documents.

If so, you are probably thinking about these 4 things: parenting your children, child support, family property, and cash flow. In my mind, it’s important to add a 5th item to the list: estate planning. Knowing how your children will be cared for and how the law treats the estates of newly separated or divorced parents is a key part of planning and is particularly important if you have young children now. Think about what expectations you have for your children (and of the other parent), who should care for your children if both you and their other parent die while they are young and about when you should make a new will. When putting the pieces of your post-separation picture together, make sure you review any estate plan you have in place now, ask questions about what will happen if you don’t make any changes (or make a plan at all), and determine if you both agree on who should care for the children if both of you die or become incapacitated. To ensure that those you wish to provide for receive your gift without complication and that your children are well cared for, make sure you ask your lawyer about including estate considerations as part of your separation task list.

It’s important to think about the variety of options available to you. Most people are now aware that their matter does not have to go to court to be decided. Mediation is an excellent option for those wanting facilitated communication while they negotiate. For those who want guidance around options for settlement and legal information and advice as they negotiate, the Collaborative Process is a great option. The Collaborative Process is grounded in transparency, cooperation, and respect; it provides a private, non-adversarial, comprehensive, and efficient process opportunity. Your lawyer will be there to advocate for you, to draft the Separation Agreement and to provide the independent legal advice necessary for a legally binding settlement. Contact us to find out more information.

Your Team at GOOD LAW BOOK A CONSULT COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE FAMILY LAW GUARDIANSHIP & TRUSTEESHIP ESTATE ADMINISTRATION ESTATE PLANNING REAL ESTATE Meet The Team We’ve carefully built a team of exceptional people to help you. Everyone at GOOD LAW is committed to assisting you with your legal matter and ensuring you have the information you need to make the important decisions that arise as life changes. Proudly serving St. Albert, Edmonton, Morinville, Legal, Bon Accord, Gibbons, Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Leduc, and the entire Edmonton metropolitan area, our team is here to provide trusted guidance when you need it most. Wendy M. Phillips-Berard Lawyer and Registered Collaborative Family Lawyer View profile Michelle T. Roe Lawyer and Registered Collaborative Family Lawyer View profile Michael C. Good (Retired) View profile Amanda Moroz Family Law and Wills & Estates View profile Nicole Korek Real Estate Conveyancer View profile Tanya Cyr Multi-Tasking Office Ninja View profile Let’s Work Together At GOOD LAW, we are committed to providing clear answers to your questions without using complicated legal language. We are a friendly firm and would be delighted to discuss your case with you at your convenience. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment. First Name Last Name Email Message Send Thanks for submitting!

Your Trusted Legal Team at GOOD LAW BOOK A CONSULT COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE FAMILY LAW GUARDIANSHIP & TRUSTEESHIP ESTATE ADMINISTRATION ESTATE PLANNING REAL ESTATE Life Has Ups and Downs, We’re Here to Help You Navigate What do we stand for? We are all committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive place to find good advice, practical options, and a ready ear to listen. For us, it is important to build lasting relationships and to continue growing our knowledge and skills so that we can continue to improve our clients; experience and ease their way through the challenges they face. Put plainly ... we want to help. We want to empower you to make a plan that puts your well-being and that of your family at the forefront. We do this by providing education about the law that affects you, by creating options with you, and by guiding you so you can make the right decisions for you and your family. We won't do it for you but we promise to do it with you. Michael Good began practicing law in St. Albert in 1986 and Wendy Phillips-Berard shifted her practice here in 2001. While they often found themselves on opposite sides of a number of family law files, they discovered that they worked well together and shared the same philosophy that families should have the option of working through their separation respectfully, efficiently and while focussed on the well-being of the family. Both became certified to offer separating and divorcing parents the option of using the Collaborative Process and then in 2006, decided to work together and created what became GOOD LAW today. Over the years, an exceptional team has been put together, with Amanda joining us in 2007, Nicole in 2013, Tanya in 2015 and Michelle, our associate lawyer, in 2022. In 2024, Wendy assumed ownership of GOOD LAW and Michael retired from practice in early 2025. It is just as important to us now - as it was in the beginning - to listen, to consider carefully what is important to our clients and to give practical advice, allowing our clients to set realistic expectations and to make informed decisions. We want to make a difference. We want to give you a place where you feel comfortable to ask questions, to explore options and to make decisions that leave you feeling like you're on the right track to a better future. Meet The Team We’ve carefully built a team of exceptional people to help you. Everyone at GOOD LAW is committed to assisting you with your legal matter and ensuring you have the information you need to make the important decisions that arise as life changes. Proudly serving St. Albert, Edmonton, Morinville, Legal, Bon Accord, Gibbons, Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Leduc, and the entire Edmonton metropolitan area, our team is here to provide trusted guidance when you need it most. Wendy M. Phillips-Berard Lawyer and Registered Collaborative Family Lawyer View profile Michelle T. Roe Lawyer and Registered Collaborative Family Lawyer View profile Michael C. Good Lawyer (Retired) View profile Amanda Moroz Family Law and Wills & Estates View profile Nicole Korek Real Estate Conveyancer View profile Tanya Cyr Multi-Tasking Office Ninja View profile Let’s Work Together At GOOD LAW , we are committed to providing clear answers to your questions without using complicated legal language. We are a welcoming firm and would be delighted to discuss your matter with you. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment. First Name Last Name Email Message Send Thanks for submitting!

Goodlaw Firm, based in St. Albert, Alberta, specializes in Collaborative Divorce, Family Law, Estate Planning, Estate Administration, and Residential Real Estate. With nearly 50 years of combined legal experience, our team offers client-focused services, emphasizing clear communication and practical solutions. We are committed to guiding clients through legal challenges with empathy and professionalism. Guiding Life's Transitions with Compassionate Legal Solutions BOOK A CONSULTATION At GOOD LAW, our focus is on healthy families. Understanding the emotional dynamics and delicate nature of family disputes is central to our practice. Our dedicated team is here to support you as you navigate toward clarity in and resolution of the legal matters affecting your family. About Us GOOD LAW has been proudly serving St. Albert and its neighboring communities, including Edmonton, Morinville, Legal, Bon Accord, Gibbons, Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Leduc, and the entire Edmonton metropolitan area—for nearly 40 years. We’re here to provide insight into the law and empower you, no matter what life throws your way. With decades of legal experience, our team is ready to offer practical guidance and help you navigate the complexities of your legal matters. READ MORE Practice Areas We specialize in key legal areas crucial to families in the St. Albert area: buying/selling homes, relationship transitions, estate planning, and administration. In addition to helping people navigate life's challenges and changes, we are pleased to offer notarial services by appointment. Our lawyers are also notaries public and are available to assist you with any notarial needs. Whether you're in need of advice or a notary public, our team is here to provide personalized options tailored to your situation. We stay updated on the latest legal developments to offer the most effective guidance, so you can focus on your family’s future with confidence. COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE ESTATE PLANNING FAMILY LAW ESTATES ADMINISTRATION REAL ESTATE GUARDIANSHIP & TRUSTEESHIP Our Team We’ve carefully built a team of exceptional people to help you. Everyone at GOOD LAW is committed to assisting you with your legal matters and to ensuring your have the information you need to make the important decisions that arise as life changes. Wendy M. Phillips-Berard Lawyer and Registered Collaborative Family Lawyer View profile Michelle T. Roe Lawyer and Registered Collaborative Family Lawyer View profile Michael C. Good (Retired) View profile VIEW MORE PROFILES Reach out to us as you embark on your path to a brighter future . We’d love to help you get there. BOOK A CONSULATATION