Carolyn Allan

The last number of years, since the unprecedented COVID 19 pandemic of 2020, have been challenging for Albertans as we continue to face tough economic times, and an ever changing social climate.   Add to that the significant psychological, emotional and financial stress that the breakdown of a relationship brings…and the realities can be overwhelming to try to deal with on your own. What to do then, when you are faced with a relationship breakdown and are having difficulties dealing with issues like parenting, support (child and/or spousal), deciding how to divide up your assets in a way that preserves what you have worked hard for, dealing with debt and all of the other uncomfortable topics that come up in the breakdown of a common-law relationship or marriage…and you need help?  You want to be very careful in choosing the right legal representation, or mediator. You want to find experienced counsel who is looking out for the best interests of your family first and foremost, especially when children are involved, and also someone who is willing to focus on ensuring that your financial interests are protected, all in a cost-effective manner.

I am a native Albertan and have lived my entire life in this great city of Calgary. I have ridden the waves of its successes and survived the challenges of the recessions over the years.  I have been blessed with a long-term marriage, to a fellow native Albertan, and have raised three amazing human beings into adulthood. I know the joys and challenges of parenting and respect the trials and tribulations that all personal relationships bring.

Law was not my first career choice. I am an accomplished classical pianist and spent many years as a music educator and performer. I have been an active volunteer in our school systems, advocating for strong arts programs and second languages in our education curriculum. I chose to pursue a career in law at a time in life when others may have been comfortable settling into a routine.  I have always believed that the pursuit of education is a life-long opportunity, and I did not want having my children at a young age to have prevented me from challenging myself and pursuing a dream.  I always knew that family law would be my focus.  I have been practicing family law exclusively for over 20 years.  My business partner Matia and I opened our boutique family law firm in 2009 and we continue to maintain the highest respect amongst our peers, as we believe is evident by us both being selected as one of ‘Doyle’s Best Family Law Lawyers in Calgary’ and the firms as ‘Doyle’s Best Family Law Firms in Calgary’ for several years running.

The well-being of children has always been my focus in dealing with family law matters. I put their best interests first and foremost when negotiating, litigating, mediating or arbitrating parenting issues. I work very hard to assist parents in moving past their disappointment and bitterness towards their ex-partner, who is also their co-parent for life, and have them focus on what their child or children need to become healthy adults. Parents undoubtedly all have a profound love for their child, but can be very fearful as to how their role as ‘Mom’ or ‘Dad’ may change upon a separation or divorce.  

Assisting separating couples in managing their finances in a manner that is fair for both is also an important aspect of my practice.  Many couples entering into new relationships, perhaps after having gone through a divorce or separation, appreciate the importance of securing their assets prior to remarriage or cohabitation.  Our office takes pride in the quality of the all of the domestic agreements that we draft and finalize for our clients.

Our courts have faced some significant challenges since the pandemic, and the family courts have been reinvented as of January 1^st, 2026.  The hope is that the new ‘Family Focused Protocol’ will result in more streamlined and effective management of family law matters, but that process still remains to be tested.  It will still take considerable time for substantive matters to be heard in full by a Justice.   Any prolonged delay in resolving issues is unacceptable when we are dealing with a family, children’s lives, and economic changes that need to be resolved sooner rather than later. I am a qualified and trained mediator/ arbitrator and feel that now, perhaps more than ever, it is important that people work outside of the court system in coming to settlements where they maintain some control over their disputes. The mediation/arbitration process can be a quick and cost effective way to find resolution to family and relationship disputes. You control the process and the timing – something that you do not when in the court system.

I consider myself a master problem-solver and pride myself on being able to think ‘outside of the box’ when faced with the complex matters that arise from a relationship breakdown.  I am a firm believer that family law matters should not be decided by a Court, and that parties should work diligently at trying to resolve their matters outside of a courtroom through the many alternative dispute resolution methods that are available. However, I am also a litigator at heart, and have extensive experience and success in all levels of Court in Alberta.  Regardless of the forum, I am a strong advocate for my client, and as a mediator work hard with the parties to reach a satisfactory outcome to the issues that they cannot resolve on their own.

Outside of the office I am a proud Golden Retriever owner, enjoy yoga, reading, golf and am an avid crocheter.