LAURIE STEPHEN

Commitment to Clients

Because of Laurie’s years of in depth and varied experience, her clients can fully expect and receive excellent communication, education, strategy, advocacy and outcome. Laurie feels that this is vitally important during the difficult emotional times experienced through a divorce, separation or death. Additionally, her clients know to expect candor and fairness regarding the fees and costs for the representation.

Laurie’s clients benefit from her caring and commitment to her clients as well as from her many years’ experience practicing law. Laurie has represented individuals from all walks of life and all types of social, cultural and financial backgrounds.  Laurie is proud that many of her client referrals come from her former clients, her legal colleagues and the support staff present during sessions in which she has been representing her clients.

Areas of Practice

Laurie Stephen is a lawyer who primarily practices in the areas of family law and wills and estates.  When Laurie is helping her clients with Family Law matters, she is typically representing people going through a separation or a divorce. Laurie also helps her clients with matters relating to their children, such as custody and child support payments.  Laurie is also skilled at drafting wills, enduring powers of attorney and personal directives as well as directing the Executor or Personal Representative after a death.

Education

Laurie is a graduate of the University of Calgary with a B.A. in Political Science and from the University of Alberta Law School. Admitted to practice in Alberta in 1988, Laurie’s practice has focused on family law, real estate, civil litigation and wills and estates.

Career

Laurie articled with Perraton Masuch which eventually merged to become Field Law LLP. Laurie then started the law firm of Masuch and Stephen, where she worked primarily with the business community, facilitating Real Estate Development, providing Wills and Estates advice, as well as practicing Litigation.

During her career, Laurie has appeared before all levels of the Alberta court system. After having children, Laurie stayed at home for a number of years, where she most recently worked from home as a legal writer updating the Canadian Encyclopedic Digest (a legal encyclopedia).  In 2010 Laurie joined Kirk Montoute Dawson LLP as a Family Law Associate where she has been helping clients utilize a variety of dispute resolution methods including Litigation, Collaboration and Mediation.

Legal Experience

Laurie brings the wisdom and knowledge obtained from 23 years of interaction with clients, opposing counsel, Judges, volunteer counseling and raising her own family.  Laurie has made hundreds of court appearances throughout Alberta including Provincial Court, the Court of Queen’s Bench and the Court of Appeal. Laurie has successfully represented individuals with diverse claims in the family law area, including spouses under the Divorce Act and common law spouses under the Adult Interdependent Relationship Act. These claims include obtaining a divorce, determining custody, residence and access with respect to their children, the division of the matrimonial home, pensions, RRSPs, and other assets, as well as the determination of child support and spousal support payments.

In addition, Laurie is experienced in negotiating and drafting various forms of contracts, including Cohabitation Agreements and various forms of Separation Agreements. Laurie is also experienced in the Wills and Estates area of law and can provide advice in the drafting and execution of Wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney and Personal Directives as well as the probation of an estate.

Community Involvement

Laurie is a respected leader in the community. She is a member of the Law Society of Alberta, the Canadian Bar Association, the Calgary Bar Association and the Family Law and Estates and Trust subsections of the Canadian Bar Association.

Laurie has taught the Bar Admission Course through the Legal Education Society of Alberta, appeared as Legal Counsel for the national television news program “CBC Newshour”, planned and led various training seminars for the Calgary Pregnancy Care Center and has given informational seminars on both Reals Estate and Wills and Estates.

Laurie’s passion to help people has also led Laurie to volunteer with Calgary Legal Guidance, the Calgary Pregnancy Care Center, South Calgary Community Church, the Lake Bonavista Hockey Program, and as well as the various schools that her children have attended. Laurie is an avid athlete, and when not at work or following her sons’ hockey or lacrosse games, she can be found playing hockey, playing baseball, or golfing

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