Child Custody: The basics
Voluntary agreements, called parenting plans, are usually the best and most common way of settling custody arrangements in Ontario. Only a small percentage of child custody disputes are decided in a courtroom. Custody is the right to make the important decisions about the care and upbringing of a child. Custody normally includes [...]
Articles
Child Custody: The Details
Child Custody in Ontario is often — and usually — best settled by a voluntary agreement between the parents. Only a small percentage of child custody disputes are decided in a courtroom. Custody is the right to make the important decisions about the care and upbringing of a child. Custody normally includes [...]
Custody: When Does the Child Get to Decide?
Does my child get to live where he wants?
Depending on both the quality of your family relationships and the degree of court or other third-party involvement with your marital separation, the complicated answers to that straightforward question can be “yes” or “not necessarily”.
When is the answer “yes, the [...]
Parenting Coordinators
It is widely known that a hard-fought custody battle between two parents can become adversarial, antagonistic and hostile. One of the small ironies of these battles is that it is rarely the big, life-altering issues that cause the greatest amount of conflict. It is the constant stream of everyday logistical decisions that provide the [...]
Books that make divorce easier for kids
Here is a selection of books many of our clients have found helpful. Starred selections are rated as top choices.
* My Family’s Changing: A First Look at Family Break Up (First Look at Books) By: Pat Thomas, Lesley Harker (Illustrator)
When Mom and Dad Divorce: An Elf Help Book for [...]
Settlement: The Most Attractive Option
In Ontario, it is possible (and preferable in most cases) to keep support, property and custody issues from ever coming into court. Dealing with all these issues privately is a great benefit as you can craft whatever solution works for you, as a family. If any of these issues is not [...]
Choosing a Lawyer
One of the most important decisions you will make when you are getting a divorce is determining who your lawyer will be. This is not an easy decision and not one which should be taken lightly. Some things you may want to think about are discussed below.
What kind of lawyer do you need?
It [...]
Under the Federal Statute, the Divorce Act, divorce may be granted in Canada on only one ground: marriage breakdown. Marriage breakdown can be proved by one year of separation, adultery or cruelty. It is more difficult to get a divorce based on adultery or cruelty, as your spouse may oppose it, making the whole process [...]
How to get a divorce without a lawyer
It is possible to handle all of your issues alone and get a divorce without a lawyer. The Department of Justice has laid out all the essential forms and procedures on its website, and they can be found on our site as well.
This guide will help walk you [...]
Meeting with a lawyer
Your first meeting with a lawyer is critical. There are a few things you should think of and gather up before your first meeting. This will save time (and money) and allow your lawyer to give you a better understanding of your circumstances.
1. Think about what you have to convey about your situation. [...]
How to get through Divorce in Ontario
No matter who initiates a divorce and whether or not you see it coming the process is always very difficult. By having an understanding of what goes on in a divorce and of what you can do to help reach the desired outcome, the process can be made considerably [...]
Navigating the courts in Ontario can be a complex process. This guide offers some insight into divorce procedures in Ontario.
With the possible exception of the court papers required to obtain an absolute divorce, the procedure for drafting, filing and serving most other litigation documents is too complex and too fraught with legal peril to be [...]
The Price of Divorce
There are different categories of fees to consider when seeking a divorce. You will have take into account lawyer fees, court fees, government fees as well as additional amounts for filing court documents.
Lawyer Fees
The exact lawyer fee will vary with the services you require. Most law firms, including ours, charge their clients [...]
Separation Agreement Anxiety
Separation is the most complex aspect of getting a divorce. You may not know the difference between the two concepts but separation and divorce are two separate events with different requirements and steps. In order to legally end your marriage in Ontario, you require both – a separation and a divorce.
The separation part [...]
These are the five things you must do before you act on any thoughts you have about divorce. These steps are specific to Ontario divorce but can be applied to divorce in most provinces. It’s important to be certain that you have done the things you need to do to feel good about your decisions. [...]