Family law encompasses a wide range of situations - from happy times, such as step-parent adoptions, to very tough times, such as heated divorces.  Often these cases are filled with emotions and complicated family histories.  As a divorce lawyer here in Ottawa, I am acutely aware of this, and I will strive to help you reach an optimal result.  Clients should also be aware that, in contested divorce cases, your family assets are -- in a manner of speaking -- being used to pay for two separate divorce lawyers.  I will try to minimize your costs and encourage a resolution that balances your financial interests with your other interests, such as a need for closure.

 

Family Court Services

 

I can represent you in your family court application for:

• a simple or joint divorce;

• child custody and access; 

• spousal support and child support;

• property division (equalization of net family property);

• to change a final order (usually about support and/or issues surrounding children);  and

• divorce applications under the Civil Marriages Act (for same-sex couples married in Ontario but living outside Canada in a country that does not recognize their marriage).

 

Legal Drafting Services

 

I also provide the following legal drafting services for domestic contracts:

• marriage contracts, (commonly known as prenuptial agreements, but they can be post-nuptial as well); 

• cohabitation agreements (for common-law partners);

• separation agreements;

• variation agreements (to amend parts of a previously signed domestic contract); and

• Independent Legal Advice (ILA) for any domestic contract.

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I like to think of domestic contracts as an "insurance policy"; no one likes paying for it, but they are sure glad they did when they need to rely on it.   

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Legal Opinions on Foreign Divorces

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Want to get re-married, but you were divorced outside Canada?

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In order to get a marriage license, you will need a legal opinion on the recognition of your foreign divorce.  This is a service that I routinely provide.  I require a original or certified copy of the foreign divorce order, and supporting documents that prove where you (or your ex) lived during the 12 months before filing the divorce application.  There are other grounds to recognize a foreign divorce, which we can discuss if your situation does not satisfy the 12-month residency test.