Family law issues are complex, but understanding your options doesn't have to be.
Whether you're navigating separation, divorce, custody arrangements, or property division, the right legal guidance starts with clear information. Below you'll find practical briefings on common family law topics—each designed to help you understand the process, your rights, and the path forward.
The briefings below provide a foundation, but every family's situation is unique. The law provides frameworks, but how those rules apply to your specific circumstances—your assets, your children's needs, your spouse's position, your timeline—requires a conversation, not just reading.
That's where a consultation comes in. In a focused discussion, we can:
You don't need to have everything figured out before calling.
Most people don't. A consultation helps you understand what you're facing and what steps make sense, whether that's negotiation, mediation, or court proceedings.
Ready to discuss your situation?
Book a consultation or call us to get started.
Or if you are still gathering information, have a look at the resources below to better understand the principles that apply to your situation.
To learn more about our approach, check out our three step process, which is designed to simplify give direction to what can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Three step process
What is the Separation Date? Whether married or common-law, there is no such thing as “filing” for legal separation in Ontario. Rather, “separation” describes the point in time when spouses begin to live separate and apart. If the parties don’t agree when separation took place, a judge may have to use evidence to determine the issue, just like any other fact. Either agreement, or a decision of the judge can decide the “legal separation” date.
In Ontario, the simplest way to obtain a divorce is to proceed “Uncontested”. This refers to a procedure where one party files the Divorce Application with the court and serves it on the other party. The receiving party allows a 30 day filing deadline to expire without filing an Answer.
A separation agreement is a contract that marks the conclusion of the issues that arise at the end of a marriage or common law relationship. It allows a great deal of flexibility in customizing the arrangements for future dealings with the other party.
Ontario's property division system works differently than most people expect — it's not simply a 50/50 split of everything you own. Understanding how Net Family Property is calculated, what assets can be excluded, and why certain dates are critical can mean the difference of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
If spouses jointly own the home, then half of its net value goes into each spouse's net family property. When only one spouse holds title to the home, this can mean a different method of calculating the outcome.
When it comes to property division, common law couples do not have the same rights as married couples. The courts take a different approach to common law property issues.
Financial disclosure is mandatory in family law. We help clients to identify and disclose documents required to support their legal position. This should happen at an early stage, preferably by agreement.
When court is necessary, we help clients navigate the complexity of the family court procedure. Where the parties cannot agree on the rights and obligations that follow the breakdown of their relationship, they will likely end up in court.
Be it married or common law, if you sacrificed your job for a child or domestic responsibilities, you deserve spousal support (sometimes called "alimony"). This type of support seeks to fairly balance the relationship’s impact on the income generating capacity of the partners.
When parents separate, decisions about children are the most consequential — and often the most contested. Here's what Ontario law actually requires courts to consider, what different parenting arrangements look like in practice, and how to protect your relationship with your children.
Generally, the Child Support Guidelines (the “Guidelines”) establish an amount of support. The Guidelines use income to determine this amount. For this reason, income disclosure is a critical component of calculating support obligations. Click here to determine potential support obligations.
Please note: The information in these briefings is general guidance, not legal advice specific to your situation. Family law depends heavily on individual facts—your assets, your children's ages, your spouse's position, and dozens of other details that make your case unique.
These briefings are designed to help you understand the landscape. For advice about your specific circumstances, give us a call.
