As of January 2, 2026, family law proceedings in the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta are being transformed by a new Family Focused Protocol (FFP) — a family-centred system designed to reduce conflict, streamline processes and encourage resolution before trial. If you are navigating separation, parenting disputes, support issues, or property division, understanding how this new protocol works and how it affects you is essential.
The Family Focused Protocol is a new suite of family law processes being implemented by the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta. It replaces older procedures like Family Docket Court, Early Intervention Case Conferences, and the prior Rule 4.10 Case Conference formats with a more comprehensive, holistic approach focused on early intervention, case management, and resolution where possible.
Under the FFP, families entering the court system are supported by a Mandatory Intake Triage (MIT) Justice, who assesses interim needs, guides the case, and acts as the judge throughout the significant steps of the matter, from initial intervention to settlement or trial.
The goal of the FFP is simple but impactful: to reduce delay, conflict, and the emotional and financial burden of litigation, especially where children and family relationships are involved. By assigning a justice early and encouraging cooperative resolution, the FFP aims to create a more predictable and supportive path through what can often be a stressful legal process.
Some key motivations behind these reforms include:
The FFP applies to the majority of family law matters brought before the Court of King’s Bench, including:
Note that certain proceedings, such as Protection Order applications, urgent matters handled outside the regular streams, and other specialized filings, may still follow different procedures outside the main FFP framework.
Under the new FFP, family law matters proceed through one of three streams depending on the nature and urgency of the issues involved.
This stream is the primary pathway for most family disputes, especially those requiring final decisions on multiple issues or non-urgent interim relief. Key elements include:
Why this matters: The structured step-by-step process aims to reduce repetitive litigation cycles and encourage earlier clarity and settlement where possible.
The Desk Process is intended for matters that can reasonably be dealt with without a full court appearance, including:
Why this matters: This pathway allows simpler or procedural issues to be resolved efficiently, saving time and legal cost for families and the court system.
The Urgent Process is reserved for situations where delay could cause serious harm or prejudice, including:
Urgent requests are screened by a justice and, if approved, prioritized for rapid scheduling.
Under the FFP, most cases must complete certain pre-court steps before a Regular Family Process application will be accepted, unless an urgent exemption applies. These include:
These mandatory requirements seek to ensure that families are informed, prepared, and in the best position to resolve contested issues without unnecessary litigation.
Navigating these changes can be complex, especially for those unfamiliar with Alberta’s family court system. A knowledgeable family lawyer can help in several critical ways:
At Richmond Tymchuk Family Law, our experienced lawyers understand the FFP and are ready to support you through this new process — whether you are pursuing resolution, defending your rights, or seeking urgent relief. We work closely with clients to explain each step, advocate for your interests, and help achieve the best possible outcomes during what can be a challenging time.
If you have questions or need guidance under the new FFP, reach out to our team today for personalized support tailored to your unique situation.