Why we stand with Alberta’s teachers and our community

At Cairns Law, we believe that community is built by people who care. Alberta’s teachers and educational support staff care deeply, and give more of themselves than we pay attention to.

Over the past weeks, many of us have been watching with heavy hearts, agitated minds and restless kids, as teachers have had to step away from their classrooms - not for vacation or perks, but for classrooms that function for their students, and their students' futures that deserve better. Our teachers are standing up for their students. Our children. Teachers are doing so for all of us.

A personal note

I was a student in Alberta’s public school system. I do remember sitting in classrooms filled with both possibility and challenge, feeling supported by the majority of my teachers.

On my last day of grade 12, one of my teachers gave us a small gift: a piece of art with the phrase “Only dead fish go with the flow.”

Those words have stayed with me ever since. They have shaped the way I move through the world and, perhaps, contributed to the reason Cairns Law exists. We are not here to simply go with the flow. Cairns Law is here thoughtfully and intentionally, and with care for our clients and the people around us.

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EXTENDED to bookings made before Jan. 31, 2026.

A small gesture of thanks - 25% discount to Active Alberta Teachers' Association Teachers and Support Staff

While we can’t directly fix what is happening in Alberta's education system, we wish to show our appreciation in the way we know best: by helping protect the futures that our teachers nurture.

Cairns Law is extending a special thank you rate on our estate planning services for Alberta teachers and educational support staff: 25% thank you discount with proof of ATA active membership. The discount extends to spouses obtaining the services at the same time, where the spouse is not a member.

The offer is valid on bookings made before January 31, 2026. Appointments may be scheduled for a later date. Evenings and weekend appointments available (because we know you're in school during the day)!

Limited appointments have been posted to our booking page. More availability by filling out our meeting request form or by email to hello@cairnslaw.ca.

UPDATE: After a few conversations with teachers this month, I realized there were a couple of important notes that normally fall outside of this article but may help with deciding and planning.

• The qualifying factor for this discount is an active Alberta Teachers' Association membership. Proof required.

  • If estate planning as a couple, only one spouse needs to hold an active ATA membership for the couple to receive the discount.

• Learn more about our estate planning process, or also in our social media posts.

• At minimum, two meetings are required.

  • The first appointment is either in-person at our office or online. Kendall takes instructions from you and answers your questions. It takes about 60-90 minutes.

  • The second appointment is to sign the documents. This is best done in-person at our office but can be completed remotely online. Additional fees apply to online signing appointments. Wet-ink signatures are required; E-signatures are not permitted. It takes about 20-45 minutes.

• Payment isn't due until the second appointment, and it's payable by credit card, e-transfer or bank draft. If we meet in December 2025, payment would fall into 2026.

• To avoid back-and-forth emails, the easiest way to start the process is to submit the meeting request form at the bottom of that page. The first meeting can definitely be requested for January, February, March - the discount would still apply.

  • Alternatively, some of upcoming availability has been posted to the booking calendar.

    
    

This promo cannot be combined with other offers.

Questions? Drop a line in our chat on our website, or email hello@cairnslaw.ca

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Why estate planning matters

Estate planning isn’t just about documents. It is about care for those we love.

Recently, we wrapped up an estate administration file that our client carried at the risk of their own expense simply to bring peace to their loved one, and family. The Deceased had died without a Will, which meant someone needed to be appointed to administer the Estate. Before anyone could act on behalf of the Estate to determine its value, the Estate appeared insolvent and risky to take on. With no Will and no direction from the Deceased, my client analyzed their values and decided they were willing to step up to ensure peace was accomplished.

Estate planning is about ensuring that your people and causes that matter most to you are looked after, no matter what curve balls life brings. In that way, it is not so different from teaching. Both are acts of planning for a better tomorrow.

Supporting the communities that shape us

Sherwood Park has long been home to educators who show up every day for their students. Many of our clients are teachers, retired teachers, or parents inspired by them. This offer is one way of giving back to the community that helped shape me and continues to shape us all.

To Alberta’s teachers and school staff: thank you for standing strong, for guiding the beautiful minds of all of our students, and for reminding us that sometimes the bravest thing we can do is refuse to simply go with the flow.

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This article isn’t legal advice. Reading or responding to it doesn’t create a solicitor-client relationship.