Custody, Guardianship and Access

If you want to be responsible for your child's care, select the resources on child custody. If you are wondering about visitation rights with your child, you are interested in access. If you want to know more about being granted parental authority over a child, resources on guardianship will be of interest to you.

For resources about obtaining guardianship for an adult who is incapacitated, see the section: Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship

The resources on this page were hand-picked by the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta's team of librarians as a good place to start.
For a broader range of resources, see the following keywords:
Custody and access, Guardianship and trusteeship

Suggested Resources

Becoming the Guardian of a Child

This online resource from Alberta Children and Youth Services relates to situations when an adult would like to become a guardian of a child to support or replace the parent. It explains private guardianship and the process of applying for a private guardianship order. Related keywords: Guardianship and trusteeship (30)

Custody and Access - Parenting Arrangements (Justice Canada)

Provides information on the various kinds of custody arrangements and provides links to Justice Canada publications which may be of use to parents going through separation or divorce.
 Related keywords: Custody and access (32)

Custody and Access to Children (Alberta)

This online resource is from the Student Legal Services of Edmonton. Topics include: Custody and Access of Children of Married Parents; Custody; Access; The “Best Interests” of the Child; Court Orders; Frequently Asked Questions. This resource is also available for download. (PDF - 8 pages) Related keywords: Custody and access (32)

Divorce Act FAQs

These online FAQs are provided by Canadian Legal FAQs, a website of the Legal Resource Centre. These FAQs deal with divorce and provide information regarding: Divorce Act; Grounds for Divorce; Children and Divorce; Custody; Access; Child Support; and Mobility Rights. Related keywords: Child support (27), Custody and access (32), Divorce and separation (41), Spousal support (16)

Family Law FAQs

This online resource about Family law is provided by Legal Aid Alberta. It includes information about: marriage and 'common law relationships'; divorce; property rights, and guardianship of children; and explains some of the differences between a marriage and an Adult Interdependent Relationship. Related keywords: Common law relationships (16), Divorce and separation (41), Guardianship and trusteeship (30), Marriage (26)

Parenting Time for Children under the Family Law Act (Alberta)

This online resource is from the Student Legal Services of Edmonton. This information is for  non-married parents, Adult Interdependent Partners and married parents not seeking a divorce. Topics include: Who Is A Parent?; Who Is A Guardian?; Parenting Orders; Parenting Time; The “Best Interests” Of The Child; Contact Orders; Court Orders; Frequently Asked Questions. This resource is also available for download. (PDF - 9 pages) Related keywords: Common law relationships (16), Custody and access (32)