Toronto Family Lawyers
PROUDLY SERVING TORONTO AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS ONTARIO
Divorce doesn’t have to be hard
This is where it starts to get easier. Speak with our award-winning Toronto family lawyers about your rights, options, and next steps.
Our legal team has decades of experience in family law, including separation and divorce, spousal support, child support and more. Get started by speaking with our lawyers today.
FEATURED IN
Welcome to Gelman & Associates
Experienced Toronto Family Lawyers
Gelman & Associates is an Ontario family law firm helping clients navigate divorce, separation, parenting, support, and property matters. Our Toronto family lawyers combine legal guidance with compassion for the personal challenges that often accompany a family dispute. Working with a professional who understands both the law and the emotional toll of the legal process can make a meaningful difference.
We explain your options in clear language and develop an approach based on your circumstances, priorities, and goals. Depending on the matter, that may include negotiation, mediation, arbitration, collaborative family law, or court proceedings.
Founded by childhood best friends Lisa Gelman & Karen Kotansky, Gelman & Associates is committed to providing attentive and professional family law services in Toronto and throughout Ontario.
Family Law Services inToronto
HOW OUR LAWYERS CAN HELP
From our Toronto office at Yonge Street and York Mills Road, Gelman & Associates assists clients with a wide range of Ontario family law matters. We provide advice and representation based on each client’s family circumstances, financial situation, and ultimate goals.
Whether you’re dealing with separation, divorce, child custody issues, spousal support disputes, dividing family property, or other family law matters, our team can help you understand the applicable legal process and your available options.
Adoption
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Child Custody & Access
Child Protection
Child Support
Divorce & Separation
Domestic Contracts
Enforcement & Modification Orders
Family Violence & Domestic Orders
Fertility Law & Parentage Disputes
Independent Legal Advice
Marriage & Common Law
Property Division
Spousal Support
Testimonials
What Our Clients Say About Gelman & Associates
Read what current and former clients have shared about their experience working with the Toronto family lawyers at Gelman & Associates.
You can also visit our Google Business Profile to read more 5-star client reviews.
S S
“Nikan Barari is the best family lawyer I could have ever hoped for. Over the past three years, she has been my counsel for…”
S B
“I had the pleasure of working with and highly recommend lawyer Julia Hockin. She proved to be very attentive, professional…”
W
“I had a great experience with Evan Clemence, he was so easy to work with and explained things in a manner I could understand…”
When Should You Speak With a Toronto Family Lawyer?
You do not have to wait until a dispute becomes urgent to seek legal advice. Decisions made during the early stages of a separation can affect parenting arrangements, financial disclosure, support, and the division of your family property. You should speak with a professional as soon as possible.
A consultation with a Toronto family lawyer may help you understand:
- The difference between separation and divorce in Ontario
- Whether you are eligible to apply for a divorce
- How decision-making responsibility and parenting time are determined in the best interests of your children, if applicable
- How child support or spousal support may be addressed
- What financial information might need to be exchanged
- Whether options such as negotiation, mediation, or other alternative dispute resolution processes may be appropriate for you
- And more
Our lawyers can explain how Ontario’s Family Law Act and the federal Divorce Act may apply to your case, and help you prepare for what comes next.
Before signing an agreement or making a major decision, consider booking a consultation with Gelman & Associates to discuss your rights and responsibilities.
Our Family Law Lawyers
MEET THE TORONTO FAMILY LAWYERS AND LEGAL PROFESSIONALS WHO SUPPORT CLIENTS ACROSS ONTARIO
What to Expect When You Meet With a Family Lawyer
Sitting down with a lawyer for the first time can feel overwhelming, especially when you are already dealing with a difficult family transition. At Gelman & Associates, we aim to create a supportive environment where you feel heard and respected while we review your circumstances together in a collaborative, understanding setting.
During your initial consultation with our legal team, a member of our family law team may:
- Listen to your story and identify your main concerns
- Explain key concepts such as parenting arrangements, support, and property division
- Review any existing court documents, agreements, or financial statements you have brought to your appointment
- Discuss next steps and your possible options, including negotiation, mediation, or court if needed
- Identify information or documents that may be needed next
We can also help you identify helpful resources for your situation, such as our Ontario child support calculator, so you feel prepared moving forward.
To discuss your situation with a Toronto family lawyer, contact Gelman & Associates.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ontario Family Law
What does a Toronto family lawyer do?
A family lawyer advises clients about legal issues arising from marriage, separation, divorce and parenting. This can include parenting arrangements, child support, spousal support, property division, domestic contracts, negotiation and family court proceedings.
How long does it take to get a divorce in Ontario?
The timeline for a divorce in Ontario will depend on whether it is contested or uncontested. An uncontested divorce may take approximately 3 to 6 months, provided that you file all necessary documents correctly and there are no internal delays.
A contested divorce, which usually involves more intense disputes over issues like property division, decision-making responsibility, or support, may take much longer. Some contested divorces may span a year or longer, due to the need for negotiations, court appearances, and potential trial dates.
What are the legal grounds for divorce in Canada?
There is fundamentally only one ground for divorce, and that is ‘marital breakdown’.
Marital breakdown can be proven in three ways: 1. You and your spouse have lived separately for a period of one year; 2. Your spouse has committed adultery; or 3. You have been treated with intolerable cruelty (mental or physical) by your spouse.
Do I need a lawyer to get a divorce in Ontario?
You are not legally required to retain a lawyer to apply for divorce. However, a divorce application may involve important questions about parenting, support, property and procedural requirements. Independent legal advice can help you understand how a proposed agreement or court application may affect you.
What is the difference between separation and divorce?
A separation involves living apart while intending to end the marriage. Both parties may still reconcile at any time. On the other hand, a divorce is the legal termination of a marriage. Spouses cannot marry anyone else during a separation, but they can after a divorce.
Can a family law matter be resolved without court?
Many matters are resolved through negotiation, mediation, collaborative family law or another settlement process. Court may still be required when an agreement cannot be reached, urgent relief is necessary, or there are significant safety or power-imbalance concerns.
Can I work with Gelman & Associates if I don’t live in Toronto?
Yes. Our legal services are available in person, online, and over the phone. In addition, although our main office is located in Toronto, we have over 8 additional satellite offices located throughout central, southern, western, and eastern Ontario to serve family law clients across the province.
Is family law different from divorce law?
Family law, or the Family Law Act, is different from divorce law. The Family Law Act deals with domestic legal issues like marriage, separation, property distribution, support, and others. The Divorce Act specifies grounds and processes for divorce. It can be said that the Divorce Act closely follows the provisions of the Family Law Act in relation to issues such as property distribution, support, decision-making responsibility, and other related matters.
However, in general, when referring to family law, it is a wide field of the law that encompasses, among other matters, divorce and separation.
Can my spouse quit working to avoid paying support?
No. The court is able to impute income if it feels that one of the spouses could be making more money but is deliberately working below his or her capability. The rules that allow imputing income were created to stop deliberate attempts on the part of one spouse to avoid the financial responsibility of spousal support.
Can texts or social media posts from my ex work to my advantage during a divorce?
If you are litigating your matter, social media posts made by your spouse or partner may be relevant, especially if they contradict what your spouse is claiming in his or her pleadings.
For example, if a spouse is claiming financial hardship, a Facebook post that shows that spouse going on an expensive trip or posing with an expensive car can undermine such claim and potentially affect that party’s credibility in court if presented as evidence on a motion or at trial.
Further to photograph-based posts, statements that are made on social media by one party can be relevant if said posts (i) are related to the litigation, to issues of parenting and/or (b) contradict statements that were made by the party in his or her pleadings. For example, if a party is attempting to establish that he or she is an appropriate custodial parent, then recent social media posts about extensive partying and drug use made by that party may be relevant in court, as they may speak to that party’s fitness when it comes to appropriate supervision of a child in his or her care.
Ontario Family Law Information and Resources
FAMILY LAW IS WHAT WE DO
Read blog posts from our legal team addressing divorce, separation, parenting, support, property division, and important developments in Ontario family case law.
Resolving a Family Law Dispute in Toronto
Not every separation or divorce follows the same process. The appropriate approach will depend on the issues involved, the level of conflict, any safety concerns, and each party’s willingness to exchange information and negotiate.
Our Toronto family lawyers can help you explore options such as:
Negotiation
During negotiation, family lawyers may exchange proposals and negotiate the terms of a separation agreement without starting or continuing a court case. This can provide the parties with greater control over the process and the final terms.
Collaborative Family Law
Collaborative family law is a team-based process where both parties and their collaboratively trained lawyers agree not to go to court while negotiations are ongoing. Meetings focus on problem-solving, transparency, and respectful communication. We can help you decide whether this is the right option for you during your initial consultation.
Mediation
In mediation, a neutral mediator helps you and your former partner try to reach an agreement on issues such as parenting, support, property division, and more. It’s a private and voluntary process, and you both keep control over the outcome of your case. At Gelman & Associates, our team includes professionally certified mediators and arbitrators who are ready to help clients settle their disputes amicably.
Arbitration
Arbitration is a private process where a neutral arbitrator hears from both sides and makes a binding decision. It can be more flexible and tailored than a court proceeding, while still providing a clear outcome. Our team can explain how arbitration works and whether it may be suitable for your situation.
Family Court
In some cases, court may be the right option for your situation. For example, when there are urgent issues, safety concerns, or there is a significant power imbalance. Our family lawyers in Toronto represent clients in both the Ontario Court of Justice and the Superior Court of Justice. We’re ready to stand up for your rights and pursue your goals in court when it’s necessary.
If you’re unsure which method is the right choice for your family, our team at Gelman & Associates can walk you through your options in more detail. Contact us to arrange a consultation today.
Lisa Gelman’s Family Law Commentary in the Toronto Star
Gelman & Associates founder Lisa Gelman regularly contributes commentary on divorce, separation, parenting, and other Ontario family law issues.
Read Lisa’s latest Toronto Star columns and insights.
Family Law Commentary in the Media
Many members of the Gelman & Associates team are regularly invited to discuss family law issues in the media. Explore our appearances and commentary concerning divorce, parenting, support, relationships, and developments that could affect Ontario families.
For all media inquiries, please email info@gelmanlaw.com
Toronto Family Law Video Library
CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON FAMILY LAW QUESTIONS
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Why Choose Our Toronto Family Lawyers?
WHAT CLIENTS CAN EXPECT
Here are the things that set our legal team apart:
An Established Family Law Firm
Operating since 2010, our practice is dedicated to family law.
Diversity of Our Team
Our legal team is diverse and speaks a variety of languages to help serve clients better.
High Standard of Care
We prioritize excellent service and aim for the best outcomes for our clients.
Knowledge & Experience
Our lawyers have decades of combined experience, which means we understand family law.
Let us help you with your legal matter. This is where things start to get better.
Our Commitment to Family Law Clients
At Gelman & Associates, our approach is grounded in practical guidance, compassion, and careful file management.
Our Chief Operating Officer, Karen Kotansky, is a non-practicing Toronto family lawyer with more than 20 years of experience managing the firm. Working closely with our lawyers and internal team, Karen is committed to ensuring that:
- Clients are treated with care, empathy, and professionalism
- Files receive close attention and are managed as efficiently as possible
- Our internal processes support clear communication and timely updates about the status of your file
- Settlement-focused options such as mediation, arbitration, and collaborative family law are considered first where appropriate to help you save time and money
- Court proceedings are pursued when necessary to address your legal needs
Whether you’re meeting with a member of our team about separation, parenting, support, or property issues, our goal is to provide you with attentive, compassionate service throughout your time with us.
This, we promise you.
Proudly Serving Toronto and All of Ontario
Our Toronto family lawyers provide reliable advice and representation for many types of family law matters.
With offices throughout Ontario, we’re accessible to clients across the province. No matter your location, we’re here to explain your next steps and help you make informed decisions.