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Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm Friday 8:30am - 4pm

Dobko & Wheaton

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Grande Prairie, AB
Dobko & Wheaton

Dobko & Wheaton has been providing quality legal services to the Peace Country since 1990.

10/20/2026

You bought the farm. What exactly did you buy?

Purchasing farmland can be an exciting investment, whether you're expanding an existing agricultural operation, starting something new, or purchasing property that's been in another family for generations.

But imagine taking possession of your new property only to discover that someone else has the right to use part of it.

Perhaps a neighbouring landowner has a registered right of access across your property. Maybe a portion of the land is subject to an existing agricultural lease, or you discover that the mineral rights weren't included in the purchase.

Suddenly, the property you thought you understood comes with complications you weren't expecting.

In Alberta, agricultural real estate transactions can involve considerations that aren't always obvious during a property viewing. Easements, rights-of-way, surface leases, water access, and existing agreements can all affect how land can be used.

Even something as straightforward as assuming a particular piece of equipment or an outbuilding is included in the sale can lead to disagreements if the purchase agreement isn't clear.

Before purchasing farmland, it's important to understand not only what you're buying, but also any existing rights, restrictions, or obligations attached to the property.

Our October Legal Nightmares series continues with a reminder that surprises are rarely welcome when you're making a significant investment in agricultural land.

Dobko & Wheaton assists clients with farm and agricultural real estate transactions, helping them understand the legal considerations involved before a purchase is finalized.

Call 780.539.6200 to schedule a consultation.

10/15/2026

Your business partner dies. Now what?

You've spent years building a business together. You've shared the responsibilities, made important decisions, and worked toward the same goals.

Then, unexpectedly, your business partner passes away.

Along with the personal loss comes a difficult question: What happens to their share of the business?

In Alberta, the answer can depend on how the business is structured and what agreements are already in place.

If your business is incorporated, your partner's shares may become part of their estate. Without a shareholder agreement addressing what happens upon an owner's death, you could find yourself navigating ownership questions with an executor or beneficiaries who may have different priorities for the business.

Who has the right to make decisions? Can the shares be sold? Is there a requirement or option for the surviving shareholder to buy them? And how will the business continue operating while the estate is being settled?

These are difficult questions to face at any time, especially while grieving the loss of someone you've worked closely with for years.

A properly drafted shareholder agreement can establish what happens when an owner dies, including provisions for share transfers, buyouts, valuation, and funding arrangements.

As part of our October Legal Nightmares series, we're highlighting why business succession planning shouldn't wait until something unexpected happens.

Dobko & Wheaton can help business owners understand their options and put agreements in place to protect what they've built. Call 780.539.6200 to schedule a consultation.

10/13/2026

The contractor was paid. The lien still appeared.

You hired a contractor for a renovation or construction project. The work was completed, the invoices were paid, and as far as you were concerned, everything was settled.

Then you discover that a builder’s lien has been registered against your property.

How is that possible when you've already paid for the work?

In Alberta, the Prompt Payment and Construction Lien Act provides certain contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers with the ability to register a lien against a property when they haven't been paid for qualifying work or materials.

That means even if you've paid your general contractor in full, a subcontractor or supplier further down the chain who hasn't received payment may still have lien rights.

A registered lien can create complications when you're trying to sell or refinance your property, and resolving it isn't necessarily as simple as showing proof that you paid your contractor.

Alberta's construction legislation includes specific requirements around payment, holdbacks, and deadlines. Understanding those obligations can help property owners protect themselves throughout a project, rather than discovering a problem after the work is finished.

It's another Legal Nightmare for October, and a reminder that paying the bill doesn't always mean every financial obligation connected to a construction project has been resolved.

If you're dealing with a builder’s lien or have questions about your rights and responsibilities during a construction project, Dobko & Wheaton can help you understand your legal options. Call 780.539.6200 to schedule a consultation.

10/08/2026

As Thanksgiving approaches, we hope everyone has an opportunity to slow down, enjoy time with family and friends, and appreciate the things that matter most.

Please note that Dobko & Wheaton LLP will be closed on Monday, October 12, for Thanksgiving. Our office will reopen on Tuesday, October 13, during regular business hours.

From all of us at Dobko & Wheaton, we wish you and your loved ones a wonderful Thanksgiving long weekend.

10/06/2026

Dobko & Wheaton is proud to be a Founding Partner of the NWP Wolves Women’s Hockey Team in its inaugural season!

We’re particularly proud of this partnership. As women’s sport gains more visibility and opportunity, continued investment in female athletes matters. It helps create more opportunities for women to compete, lead, and succeed.

With so many talented women on our own team, this partnership also feels like a natural fit for Dobko & Wheaton. We believe in creating opportunities for women to succeed, whether that’s within our profession, in our community, or on the ice.

The NWP Wolves Women’s Hockey Team plays its historic first home game this Friday, October 9, at 7:00 p.m. at the Design Works Centre.

We’re incredibly proud to be there from the beginning and can’t wait to cheer on the Wolves as they take to home ice for the first time.

Let’s fill the stands, Grande Prairie!

10/01/2026

You’ve negotiated the price, agreed on the terms, and started planning what comes next. Then the buyer says they’re no longer going through with the deal.

When a business sale falls apart, what happens next depends heavily on the signed agreement and the circumstances surrounding the transaction.

Was the purchase conditional on financing or another requirement? Were those conditions satisfied or waived? Was a deposit paid? What does the agreement say about termination or default? Depending on the answers, walking away may have financial or legal consequences.

For a seller, a failed transaction can mean more than losing the sale. Plans may have already been made based on the expected closing, and finding another buyer can take time. For a buyer, backing out of a binding agreement may carry consequences they hadn’t anticipated.

It’s our first Legal Nightmare of October, and a good reminder that the details of a business sale matter long before anyone reaches the closing date.

If you’re buying or selling a business, Dobko & Wheaton can help you understand the agreement and the legal details involved in the transaction. Call 780.539.6200 to schedule a consultation.

09/29/2026

Tomorrow, September 30, Dobko & Wheaton LLP will be closed in observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

This day is an opportunity to honour the children who never returned home, the Survivors of residential schools, and their families and communities. It is also a time to listen, learn, reflect, and recognize the ongoing impacts of the residential school system.

Our office will reopen on Wednesday, October 1, during regular business hours.

09/24/2026

Real estate transactions aren’t limited to buying or selling a home.

Dobko & Wheaton also assists clients with commercial and farm real estate transactions, where the property, financing, and deal terms can bring different considerations to the table.

Whether you’re purchasing a commercial property for your business, selling agricultural land, expanding an existing farm operation, or dealing with another type of commercial or rural property transaction, having the legal details properly addressed is an important part of the process.

From reviewing agreements and title considerations to financing requirements and completing the transaction, our team can help you understand what’s involved and ensure the necessary legal steps are taken.

If you’re buying or selling commercial or farm real estate, Dobko & Wheaton can help. Call 780.539.6200 to schedule a consultation.

09/22/2026

A new job, a new relationship, family support, or simply a fresh start can lead someone to consider moving to another community. But when separated parents share responsibilities for a child, a move can involve more than finding a new home.

If the move would significantly affect the child’s relationship with the other parent or an existing parenting arrangement, relocation rules may apply. Depending on the circumstances, formal notice may be required, and the other parent may have the opportunity to object.

Questions can quickly become complicated. How will parenting time work with greater distance? Who will be responsible for travel? How will school, activities, holidays, and regular contact with both parents be affected?
The focus in relocation matters is not simply whether one parent wants to move. The child’s best interests and the impact of the proposed relocation are central considerations.

That is why relocation is an important part of “The Fine Print.” Understanding your rights and responsibilities before making plans can help avoid additional conflict and uncertainty.

If you are considering relocating with your child, or you have received notice that the other parent intends to move, Dobko & Wheaton can help you understand your options. Call 780.539.6200 to schedule a consultation.

09/17/2026

We are pleased to announce that May Enriquez-Pulumbarit has joined Dobko & Wheaton LLP as a Partner.

May brings a unique combination of legal experience, community leadership, and a longstanding commitment to advocacy and service.

Before becoming a lawyer, she spent eight years as a community support worker advocating for individuals with developmental disabilities, followed by 8.5 years as a Judicial Clerk with the Court of King’s Bench in Grande Prairie.

Originally from the Philippines, May has called Grande Prairie home since 2005. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of the Cordilleras in the Philippines before completing her Bachelor of Laws at Bond University in Australia in 2023.

Her connection to the community extends well beyond her legal career. May currently serves as President of the Filipino Association of Grande Prairie and Area and is fluent in Tagalog, Ilocano, Pangasinense, and Bisaya, as well as conversational in Mandarin and Spanish.

We are proud to welcome May to the partnership and look forward to the experience, perspective, and dedication she brings to Dobko & Wheaton and the clients we serve.

Address

10022 102 Avenue
Grande Prairie, AB
T8V0Z7

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday	8:30am - 4pm

Website

http://www.dwlaw.ca/

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