Business Details
29 Years
experience
Your Trusted Calgary Family Law & Estate Planning Partner
Kirk Montoute Dawson LLP is a boutique family law firm in Calgary dedicated to guiding clients through life's most significant legal challenges. With decades of combined experience, our team of progressive legal practitioners specializes in family law, alternative dispute resolution, and estate planning. We prioritize client-focused solutions, leveraging our extensive courtroom experience while advocating for non-adversarial approaches when appropriate. Our lawyers are trained in mediation, collaborative law, and arbitration, offering tailored strategies for divorce, child custody, property division, and estate matters.We emphasize transparent communication, timely updates, and compassionate support throughout the legal process. Our practice extends to complex financial arrangements, parenting plans, prenuptial agreements, and probate services. As leaders in Alberta's legal community, we combine deep expertise with a commitment to fair outcomes that protect families' well-being. Our team actively contributes to legal education through seminars and published works, maintaining a reputation for excellence in Calgary and surrounding areas.
Services
Family Law
Mediation Services
Wills and Estates
Collaborative Law
Child Custody
Spousal Support
Prenuptial Agreements
Probate Services
Arbitration
Parenting Plans
Details
- Year established: 1997
Highlights and features
- Decades of combined experience in Alberta family law and estate matters
- Trained mediators and arbitrators offering non-adversarial dispute resolution
- Client-focused approach with transparent communication and timely updates
- Proven expertise in complex financial arrangements and parenting plans
- Active contributors to legal education through seminars and publications
What people say
Exceptional mediation skills
Timely communication
Compassionate representation
Effective dispute resolution
Deep legal expertise
Services
Family Law
Our Calgary family law practice addresses divorce, separation agreements, child custody, and property division. We help clients navigate complex legal challenges with strategic guidance tailored to their unique circumstances. Our team handles spousal support calculations, parenting plans, and enforcement of court orders while prioritizing clients' emotional and financial well-being through both litigation and alternative dispute resolution methods.
Mediation Services
We offer certified mediation services for family law and estate disputes, providing a collaborative alternative to courtroom battles. Our trained mediators facilitate constructive dialogue to resolve issues like child custody, property division, and support arrangements. This process empowers parties to create customized solutions while maintaining control over outcomes through structured, impartial guidance.
Wills and Estates
Our estate planning services include drafting wills, powers of attorney, and personal directives to protect assets and healthcare preferences. We guide executors through probate processes and administer estates according to Alberta law. The practice also handles post-divorce estate document updates and complex asset distribution strategies for blended families and business owners.
Collaborative Law
This client-centered approach resolves family law matters through structured negotiations without court intervention. Our certified collaborative lawyers work jointly with clients to address divorce, custody, and financial issues while preserving relationships. The process includes financial specialists and communication coaches to achieve comprehensive, sustainable agreements.
Child Custody
We help establish and modify custody arrangements focusing on children's best interests. Services include creating parenting plans, addressing relocation requests, and resolving disputes over decision-making responsibilities. Our lawyers advocate for practical solutions that maintain meaningful parent-child relationships while adapting to evolving family dynamics and legal requirements.
People
Gary Kirk
Managing Partner
Practicing law for 25+ years with extensive mediation/arbitration experience. Specializes in family law dispute resolution and judicial dispute resolution hearings.
Nigel Montoute
Partner
25-year legal career with court appearances at all Alberta levels. Focuses on maximizing client recovery through alternative dispute resolution methods.
Wanda Dawson
Partner
20+ years of family law experience with specialized training in mediation, arbitration, and parenting coordination for complex custody matters.
Stacey Haskins
Family Lawyer
Specializes in family law since 2014 with prior experience in Calgary Courts Centre assisting with family law intake and judicial support.
Sarah Macdonald
Family Lawyer
Advocates for alternative dispute resolution while providing courtroom representation when necessary, focusing on client empowerment through informed decision-making.
Questions
Do you handle common-law relationship legal matters in Calgary?
Yes, we assist with property division, support agreements, and cohabitation agreements for common-law couples under Alberta law.
What family law services do you offer?
We handle divorce, child custody, spousal support, property division, prenuptial agreements, and parenting plans.
Do you offer alternative dispute resolution options?
Yes, we specialize in mediation, arbitration, and collaborative law to resolve family law issues outside court.
What estate planning services do you provide?
We draft wills, powers of attorney, personal directives, and offer probate assistance and estate administration guidance.
How can you help with child custody modifications?
We assist with modifying custody arrangements when there's a significant change in circumstances affecting the child's best interests.
What are the benefits of mediation over litigation?
Mediation offers faster, more cost-effective resolutions while preserving relationships through collaborative problem-solving rather than adversarial court battles.
