For a lawyer-drafted agreement, add the drafting lawyer's quote, the other partner's review quote, and any work excluded from those quotes. Ask whether your own advice and acknowledgement are already included so you do not count them twice.
How much does a prenup cost in Alberta?
Last reviewed: September 4, 2026
Budget for preparing the agreement and for each partner's separate legal advice. A drafting price alone does not tell you the cost of getting an agreement ready to sign.
What should you budget?
Published examples include $1,999 for a property-only first draft at DLegal and $4,000 for an eligible uncontested agreement at Crossroads Law. They cover different work and are not an Alberta average. A GoodTerms working draft costs $49 CAD; legal advice, lawyer revisions and the acknowledgement process are separate.
Published fees and what they cover
Prices checked September 4, 2026, in Canadian dollars. These are selected examples, not equivalent packages or a ranking. Ask each provider for a written quote for your circumstances.
| Service and source | Published fee and scope |
|---|---|
| DLegal: lawyer drafting | $1,999 property-only; $2,499 with a spousal support waiver; $2,749 with spousal support. First draft only. GST, disbursements, revisions, negotiations, consultations and complex situations are extra. Combined cohabitation and prenuptial terms add $999 or more. The other partner needs separate legal advice. |
| Crossroads Law: uncontested agreement | $4,000 for a prenuptial, marriage or cohabitation agreement. For eligible uncontested matters where the parties agree; the firm assesses eligibility. Tax and filing fees are extra. Confirm the included drafting, revisions and signing work, and budget separately for the other partner's lawyer. |
| DLegal: independent legal advice | $1,199 without children; $1,499 with children. Advice for one person. Confirm taxes, review scope, revisions and section 38 acknowledgement work. Ask whether the firm will review your particular draft at this rate; this is not a quote for reviewing a GoodTerms document. |
| GoodTerms: working draft | $49 CAD, one-time payment. Includes three document generations and PDF and Word downloads. It does not include legal advice, lawyer revisions or section 38 acknowledgements. Each partner's lawyer charges separately. |
How to compare the total cost
For a GoodTerms draft, budget $49 plus each partner's legal fees and any additional professional work and applicable taxes. Before buying a draft, ask the lawyers whether they will review it and what that review would cost. A posted advice fee is not a guaranteed total: revisions or negotiation may require more work.
Businesses, farms, trusts, several properties or disputed terms may require valuations, tax advice or substantial negotiation. Ask whether a lawyer should prepare the first draft in your situation.
Why Alberta requires separate lawyers
Sections 37 and 38 of Alberta's Family Property Act set requirements for agreements that change the property division rules under Part 1. Each partner must make a separate written acknowledgement before a lawyer who is not acting for the other partner or taking the other partner's acknowledgement.
The acknowledgement addresses the nature and effect of the agreement, the property claims being given up and voluntary signing.
Ask each lawyer whether the quoted fee covers advice on the agreement and the section 38 acknowledgement. This is more than simply witnessing a signature.
Meeting the signing requirements does not guarantee that every term will be enforceable. Discuss disclosure, support terms and your circumstances with your lawyer.
Questions to ask before accepting a quote
Does the fee cover only the first draft, or also financial schedules, revisions and correspondence with the other lawyer?
Are legal advice, signing and the section 38 acknowledgement included? What does the other partner need to arrange?
Are taxes, disbursements, valuations or accountant fees extra? Is an initial retainer a deposit against hourly work or the full fee?
What happens to the price if you disagree about terms, add a support provision or need a combined cohabitation and prenup agreement?
How much time is needed before the wedding, and are there rush charges? Bring complete asset and debt records so the lawyer can assess the work.
Common cost questions
Does a $49 draft include lawyer review?
No. The $49 GoodTerms price covers the working document. Each partner pays their own lawyer for advice, any revisions and the acknowledgement process. Obtain those quotes before treating $49 as the starting point for your budget.
Can we use the same lawyer to save money?
For the section 38 process, each partner must make their acknowledgement before a lawyer who is not acting for the other partner or taking that partner's acknowledgement. Budget for separate lawyers, even if one lawyer prepares the agreement.
Will an online draft reduce our legal bill?
It depends on the draft and the lawyers' review requirements. A lawyer may need to revise or replace it. Ask about acceptance, scope and fees before buying; there is no guaranteed saving on legal work.
Related guides
Sources and review date
Prices and statutory wording checked September 4, 2026. Fees can change. This is general information published by GoodTerms, which sells working drafts and is not a law firm; it is not a legal opinion or an endorsement of the listed firms.