Interim Parenting Order
This is a temporary court order addressing parenting arrangements in Alberta. Such parenting arrangements include:

• where the children will live

• how the parents will look after the children

• how the parents will make decisions about the children

• how the parents should communicate with each other

Parenting time is the time a parent has with the child, during which time the parent has responsibility for the child.​

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An interim parenting order is not final. The court can review and make changes as necessary as the situation changes or naturally over time.

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How to get an Interim Parenting Order

Apply as soon as you safely and discretely can, and if possible, before you leave your relationship.
If your situation is urgent or unsafe, you may be able to apply for an emergency interim parenting order without notice to the other parent. Sometimes the court can grant interim parenting orders within 24 hours, but usually these orders are only good for a short time until the court can hear from both parents.

The court always makes parenting decisions in the best interests of the child. This means the parenting order or plan must protect the child’s physical, emotional and psychological safety, as well as the child’s needs and security.

Although the court factors in family violence when making their decision, the court may still decide it is in the child’s best interests to spend time with the other parent. The court may find the person is still be able to safely parent your children. Other safety measures the court may order can include might be parenting time with supervision, time together only in public places, or contact only by phone or video chat.

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What if I don't get an Interim Parenting Order?
Parents in Alberta must make major decisions about their children together unless the court orders otherwise. 

If you do not get a court order allowing you to keep your children with you, the consequences can range from the other parent applying for the court order before you, all the way to criminal charges.

You should think about getting a parenting order if any of the following are true:

• You are concerned about your children’s safety when they are with the other parent

• You feel unsafe or intimidated by your spouse or partner

• Your spouse or partner has not let you see your children

• Your spouse or partner is ignoring the situation and will not deal with your relationship breakdown

• Your spouse or partner has taken the children and cannot be found

• You are concerned your spouse or partner may try to remove the children from Canada​​