Advantage Family Law
Calgary Divorce and Family Law
Legal Advice for High-Income Professionals and Business Owners
Advantage Family Law is a Calgary Law Firm that helps professionals and business owners with divorce and separation.
Our specific focus is dealing with complex divorce within high-income families. In these situations, we assist with determining support payments, protecting assets and investments, and dividing high-value family homes.
We value discretion and privacy for our clients. Our goal is to resolve divorce conflicts through negotiation in a manner that avoids public courtrooms.
A Family Lawyer with Real Business Experience
Christopher Bungay is the owner and founder of Advantage Family Law. In addition to being a respected divorce lawyer, Christopher has significant experience in business and investing. He has built and run multiple businesses (including law firms) and has received certificates from both Harvard and Columbia universities for courses in finance and investing. Christopher’s financial background sets him apart from many other family lawyers: his real-world business experience gives him an understanding of family incomes and assets. This level of knowledge is a crucial asset when determining the financial problems and solutions involved in every divorce.
Christopher is known for resolving complex disputes with discretion, protecting his clients’ privacy by avoiding court whenever possible. When litigation is necessary, he is a formidable advocate who brings both strategic skill and genuine compassion to every case.
3000+
Clients represented since 2003
100+
court & tribunal appearances
Beyond his practice, Christopher is committed to giving back. He volunteers with the Calgary Pro-Bono Legal Clinic and Sober Kids Canada, a charity focused on teen mental health. He is an active member of the Law Society of Alberta and the Canadian Bar Association, including its family law subsection.
Chris and his family live on an acreage in northwest Calgary. In his spare time, Chris can occasionally be seen playing his Gibson guitar in a local Calgary rock band.
Christopher Bungay
Divorce lawyer
The Process - Beginning to End
While every case is different, the following is an example of a timeline for a separation/divorce case:
The Divorce Process, Explained
Every divorce is unique. Here is a general overview of how the process typically unfolds.
Separation
The first step in the process begins when a couple decides to separate. At the point where one spouse believes the relationship cannot be fixed physical separation usually occurs. Both spouses do not have to give up on the relationship to start the process.
Meeting a Lawyer
The next step for either spouse is meeting with a lawyer. You will have lots of worries and questions about what the future holds. An experienced lawyer can meet with you and help give you some clarity about how to best move forward.
Attempts to Settle Disputes Peacefully
The legal system will require spouses to make some efforts to try and resolve their differences and agree (if possible) on how they can move forward. A good lawyer will also try and guide a client to act peacefully and attempt to resolve their separation without fighting in a Courtroom. Often, with the guidance of a lawyer, spouses canned come to an agreement dividing property/assets and child custody
When Settlement Fails
If attempts to settle your case fail, you and your spouse will move into the litigation process. This means you will each have to file documents with the Alberta Courts. This next step involves a higher degree of conflict and legal argument. There may be a need to attend Court from time to time and speak to a judge. However, even at this point, most separation cases can be resolved between the parties or their lawyers.
Trial As a Last resort
If there is no chance the spouses can reach a peaceful settlement, the matter may end up going to a trial, in a courtroom, in front of an Alberta judge. In such a case, the judge will ultimately make decisions on all issues the spouses could not agree upon. The judge can make legally binding orders and decisions on a range of matters from child support, parenting time, division of property and spousal support. Thankfully, most cases do not reach the point of going to a courtroom. With the right mindset, and the right lawyers involved, spouses can settle their cases and find agreement without the need to go to Court.
We Help Protect Your Children
Advantage Family Law knows that divorce is not just about finances. The single greatest asset of any family are the children within it. While we help resolve financial conflict, we always do this with the goal of respecting the best interests of your children. As part of resolving your divorce conflict, our team will make a full inquiry about the specific financial and emotional needs of your kids. We help ensure your kids obtain the best parenting regimen possible. Further, any divorce settlement we resolve always accounts for the present and future economic needs of all children from your relationship.