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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

Secure your legacy with expert legal services in Edmonton, AB, offered by GoodLaw. Create a comprehensive will to appoint executors, guardians, and distribute your estate as desired. Establish an enduring power of attorney for financial matters, and craft a personal directive for health and personal decisions. Our specialized team ensures peace of mind for your future through wills, EPAs, and PDs. Wendy M. Phillips-Berard Lawyer and Registered Collaborative Family Lawyer Wendy began practicing law in 1999 and in St. Albert since the spring of 2001, and enjoys working with and meeting the people that call the St. Albert area home. Her preferred approach is one of common sense, practice realities, and moderation. She has extensive training in dispute resolution which allows her to offer clients more options when deciding how to address the things that arise during times of family upheaval. Wendy understands how a life change can bring turmoil and works hard to make her clients feel supported, empowered, and able to pull the pieces together to form a new way forward. Wendy also assists people plan for a new relationship using these same skills, allowing new partners to fortify the foundation of their relationships with respect, creativity and clear communication. Wendy also enjoys helping people of all ages make a plan in the event of their death or incapacity and she has a keen interest in matters affecting our aging population. To be competent in the above areas also demands a knowledge of common real estate matters and Wendy is happy to assist people with moving to or from our area, refinancing their home, and with questions regarding real property rights. Wendy has been a Registered Collaborative Family Lawyer since 2002, a past board member of the Association of Collaborative Family Professionals (Edmonton) (2007 – 2017), Chair or Co-Chair of the Forms and Precedents Committee for the ACFP(E) since 2007, and ACFP(E) Registrar since April 2019. She maintains memberships in the ACFP(E), the Collaborative Divorce Association of Alberta, Collaborative Professionals of Canada, and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals. Wendy has also been a guest lecturer on Collaborative Practice at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law, where she received her law degree in 1998, and is a co-facilitator of Introduction to Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice course. With Wendy’s training and experience with families in transition, she can help people entering into new relationships to understand how to deal with property in the event of relationship breakdown, death, or incapacity and to create a cohabitation, prenuptial, or marriage agreement that specifically addresses their individual needs. Born in the St. Albert area and raised in rural northern Alberta, Wendy lives just north of St. Albert with her family. Do you have questions? Let GOOD LAW guide you through with knowledge and dedication. BOOK A CONSULT

Choose a compassionate, non-court option for divorce in Edmonton, AB, with GoodLaw's Collaborative Divorce services. Prioritizing respect, fairness, and family well-being, we specialize in resolving separations and divorces amicably. Our voluntary, face-to-face approach aims for lasting solutions in matters like child custody, estate, and civil disputes. Experiencing a divorce ? BOOK A CONSULT COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE FAMILY LAW GUARDIANSHIP & TRUSTEESHIP ESTATE ADMINISTRATION ESTATE PLANNING REAL ESTATE Are you navigating a relationship breakdown? Our compassionate team at GOOD LAW is here to support you through this emotionally challenging journey with care, support and efficiency. Understanding Collaborative Divorce Collaborative Family Law represents a fresh approach for couples navigating a relationship breakdown or separation, offering a means to resolve disputes amicably and equitably without the need for court intervention. What sets this method apart is its unwavering focus on minimizing the adverse effects on children and enhancing quality of life post-separation, making it particularly impactful in family matters. This innovative approach places a premium on respectful and fair dealings. Collaborative Family Law isn't just limited to divorce; it extends its benefits to a range of situations, including parenting disputes, estate issues, and civil conflicts. Its core tenets are dignity and fairness, striving to ensure that all parties involved emerge from the process with their integrity intact. However, it’s important to note that the Collaborative Family Law process isn’t universally suitable. Its success hinges on the willingness of all parties to engage in face-to-face dialogue and commit to a fair resolution in good faith. This approach is designed for those who are determined to prevent permanent damage to relationships, even in challenging circumstances. Collaborative Family Law empowers individuals to take control of their futures, fostering constructive dialogue and mutual respect in the pursuit of equitable solutions. E - Brouchure Discover the heart of Collaborative Divorce and how it can transform your journey. Click below to explore our articles for a deeper understanding. Collaborative Divorce Guide Short Video Commonly asked questions about Collaborative Divorce What Are the Benefits of Collaborative Divorce? Control In Collaborative Divorce, you and your spouse agree not to go to court. This gives you and your spouse control of the process and outcome, versus litigation, where a judge makes the final decision. Collaboration Instead of the win–lose court setting, the entire collaborative team ensures that both spouses work with, not against, each other, toward mutually beneficial solutions for critical issues. Communication One barrier in litigation is the lack of effective communication between spouses. In the Collaborative Divorce process, spouses learn a framework for effectively communicating their concerns and goals and brainstorming outcomes. Better for Children Collaborative Divorce gives children a voice in the process, alleviating the potential for future trauma that sometimes persists for generations. Private Problems and assets are kept private within the Collaborative Divorce process. Less Stressful Collaborative Divorce allows spouses to control pace and timing, improves communication between spouses, keeps control of the outcome with the spouses, and promotes respect and healthier long-term communications. Learning Effective Communication Skills Communication skills acquired during Collaborative Divorce may have positive applications outside of divorce as well. To hear more about how Collaborative Divorce works, please click here to watch a short video. How Is Collaborative Divorce Different from Other Methods? Collaborative Divorce promotes respect and keeps spouses, not the courts, in control of the outcome. It addresses each couple’s unique concerns and allows for creative solutions, as opposed to litigation, which is driven by the general rule of law meant to apply to all. Because clients agree not to go to court, the process is more open and less adversarial. The goal is to enhance communication throughout the process and lay the foundation for a healthier relationship after divorce. You and your spouse will receive the benefit of both of your lawyers’ opinions throughout the process, at the appropriate time. Your lawyers will jointly prepare the formal agreement and divorce documents, and you will receive independent advice from you own lawyer. In addition to legal counsel, the team may include Divorce Coaches, Financial Specialists, and Child Specialists. A Divorce Coach helps each spouse manage the pain and stress of changing relationships and improve communication while focusing on goals for the present and future. A neutral Financial Specialist helps you and your spouse with tax issues, pension valuations, developing financial options for your family’s future well-being, and a variety of other financial matters as needed. A neutral Child Specialist can provide expert advice to you as you develop a parenting plan customized to meet the unique needs of your family. He or she can also talk to your children to gain their perspective. Collaborative Divorce Alberta Association has created a helpful document explaining the Collaborative Process . What Training and Qualifications Do Collaborative Divorce Professionals Have? Minimum Standards for Collaborative Professionals The Association of Collaborative Family Professionals (ACFP) in Edmonton outlines the following requirements for professionals wishing to be recognized as Registered Collaborative Family Professionals in family-related disputes: 1. General Requirements for Collaborative Professionals: Must be a member in good standing of the International Association of Collaborative Professionals (IACP). Must be a member in good standing of ACFP (Edmonton). Must adhere to ACFP (Edmonton)'s mission statement, protocols, and policies. 2. Minimum Standards for Registered Collaborative Family Lawyers: Must be a member in good standing of the Law Society of Alberta. Completion of a two-day Introduction to Collaborative Practice training course, including interdisciplinary training. Completion of a 30-hour training course in interest-based negotiation. Completion of a 40-hour training course in mediation of divorce and family conflicts. Must meet continuing education requirements set by the Board for Registered Collaborative Divorce Professionals. 3. Minimum Standards for Registered Collaborative Mental Health Professionals or Coaches: Must hold a Mental Health Professional license in good standing with relevant governing body. Background, education, and experience in various areas including family-systems theory, family dynamics in separation and divorce, and child development for Child Specialists. Completion of a two-day Introduction to Collaborative Practice training course. Completion of at least one 30-hour training course in mediation or interest-based negotiation. Accumulation of 15 hours of training in various relevant areas. Completion of a minimum of three hours of training in family law in Alberta. Must meet continuing education and professional association requirements set by the Board. 4. Minimum Standards for Registered Collaborative Financial Professionals: Must hold a professional license or designation in good standing with relevant governing body. Background, education, and experience in financial aspects of divorce and related areas. Completion of a two-day Introduction to Collaborative Divorce training course. Completion of at least one 30-hour training course in mediation or interest-based negotiation. Accumulation of 20 hours of education or practical experience in financial fundamentals of divorce. Accumulation of 15 hours of training in various relevant areas. Must meet continuing education and professional association requirements set by the Board. Upon meeting specific standards and completing required training, professionals may attain a "qualified" status, provided they undertake to fulfill remaining requirements within specified timeframes. All clients and team members must be notified of this qualified status. About Our Lawyers We're a devoted team of lawyers focused on respectfully resolving your divorce. With our St. Albert based lawyers we aim to finalize your divorce quickly and with as little inconvenience as possible. READ MORE ABOUT US

C NTACT Us We’d love to hear from you! For initial questions and general inquiries, Please contact our office to speak with someone on our team and to make an appointment to see Wendy M. Phillips-Berard , or Michelle T. Roe . GOOD LAW proudly serves clients in St. Albert, Edmonton, Morinville, Legal, Bon Accord, Gibbons, Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Leduc, and throughout the Edmonton metropolitan area. Please do NOT send any confidential information by email until you have retained our firm, as until then, your information is NOT protected by solicitor-client privilege. After filling out the contact form, be sure to check out our 5-minute call guide. It will help you know what to expect during the call and provide you with additional resources to make the most of our conversation. 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 Phone Email Message Send Thank you for reaching out to us. We've received your message and will review it as soon as possible. A member of our team will be in touch shortly. Consult a Lawyer When confronted with a change in your life, it’s important to know your options and understand how the law affects you and your family. 5 MINUTE CALL GUIDE 5 Giroux Rd #220, St. Albert, AB T8N 6J8 Email: info@goodlawfirm.ca Tel: (780) 459-0133

Need legal guidance for a represented adult in Edmonton, AB? Our experienced lawyers assist with guardianship and trusteeship applications to help manage financial and personal affairs. Contact us today. Guardianship & Trusteeship BOOK A CONSULT COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE FAMILY LAW GUARDIANSHIP & TRUSTEESHIP ESTATE ADMINISTRATION ESTATE PLANNING REAL ESTATE Legal Guidance in Challenging Times Sometimes a situation arises where an individual loses mental capacity without having had the opportunity to prepare an Enduring Power of Attorney or Personal Directive, or where a family member has never had the legal mental capacity to give instructions for estate documents (formerly called a “dependent adult,” now referred to as a “represented adult” under current legislation). In these cases, an application must be made to the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta to appoint someone to assist with decision-making, co-decision-making with the represented adult, or to manage the family member’s financial and personal affairs. If there are no appropriate or willing family members or friends, the Public Guardian may be appointed to make decisions regarding the represented adult’s care and living arrangements, while the Public Trustee may be appointed to manage financial matters. These applications are more costly, time-consuming, and invasive than preparing an enduring power of attorney or personal directive, and they become public record. Our firm has extensive experience helping clients navigate these applications to appoint a family member or friend in a decision-making role. We also assist with reviewing such appointments and applying for the passing of accounts for a represented adult, as required by the court. If you have any questions about assisting a family member or friend with these matters, please don’t hesitate to contact our office. More information about trusteeship and guardianship can be found here . For more information, please reach out to our Wills and Estates Assistant, Amanda Moroz , or call our office at 780-459-0133. You may also speak with Wendy M. Phillips-Berard or Michelle T. Roe .

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!