Understand the facts
Dates, income, property, and the children's routine. This is where the realistic options become clear.
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Steady counsel through a separation.
Divorce, separation, parenting arrangements, support, and settlements, handled with discretion for families in Thornhill, York Region, and Toronto.
What we do
Family matters we take on
Family law touches money, children, and a home at the same time. The firm takes the sensitivity of these files seriously: confidential, efficient, and explained in plain language.
- Divorce
- Child custody, now called decision-making responsibility and parenting time
- Spousal support
- Child support
- Separations, simple or complex
- Settlements
What to bring
For a first meeting
- Marriage certificate, or the date you began living together
- Any separation agreement, court order, or earlier application
- Recent income information for both spouses: pay stubs, notices of assessment, tax returns
- A list of property and debts with approximate values at the date of marriage and the date of separation
- Children's names and birth dates, and the current schedule
- Notes on what you want the outcome to look like
How it typically unfolds
The usual shape of a file
Most family matters settle by agreement. Court is the path when agreement is not possible, and the firm prepares for both from the start.
Disclosure
Both sides exchange financial information. Complete disclosure is the foundation of any agreement or order.
Negotiate or apply
Offers, mediation where it suits, and a signed agreement, or an application to the Ontario Court of Justice or Superior Court of Justice.
Resolution
A separation agreement, a divorce order, or a final order, with a clear explanation of what each clause means day to day.
Questions people ask
Before you call
General information, not legal advice for your situation. Every family is different.
Do I need to be separated for a year before I can divorce?
In Canada, the most common ground for divorce is living separate and apart for one year. The application can be started before the year is up, but the divorce is not granted until it has passed. Separation can happen under one roof in some circumstances.
What is the difference between custody and decision-making responsibility?
Since 2021 the Divorce Act and Ontario's Children's Law Reform Act use "decision-making responsibility" and "parenting time" instead of "custody" and "access". The ideas are similar, and the test is always the best interests of the child.
Can we write our own separation agreement?
You can, but an agreement signed without financial disclosure and independent legal advice is easier to set aside later. Having each spouse review it with their own lawyer protects the agreement.
Will my matter go to court?
Many do not. Negotiation and mediation resolve a large share of family matters. The firm prepares every file as though it could go to court, which usually makes settlement easier.
Talk to the firm about your family matter
Call during office hours and tell us a few lines about your situation and the best number to reach you.