The number of divorcees in Canada grew to 2.71 million in the year 2020. The number has been steadily growing since 2000 when there were 1.88 million divorcees in the country.
This highlights the importance of the services provided by family law lawyers in Canada. Fortunately for families residing in the districts of Ontario, the Law Society of Ontario has over 57,000 lawyer licensees and roughly 10,000 paralegal licensees.
In North York, you can seek the help of family law lawyers for a wide range of legal issues. Read on to know more information about family law lawyers in the district and when to seek their legal advice.
Family Law in North York
Family law is an area of law that focuses on legal issues involving family relations. This can include adoption, divorce, and decision-making responsibility (formerly child custody).
Family law lawyers represent clients in family court proceedings or in other related negotiations. These lawyers can also draft legal documents such as court petitions or domestic agreements.
In Ontario, family law involves all issues that may be resolved in a family court, including:
- Parenting time and decision-making responsibility in respect of a child
- Treatment of a matrimonial home
- Divorce and separation
- Family Justice Services
- Spousal and children support
- Enforcement of support payments
- Division or equalization of property
- Child protection and adoptions
Cases Under the Family Law
Family law lawyers handle a wide range of domestic legal issues. Below are the types of cases they handle:
Marriage
Family law lawyers deal with cases involving domestic contracts, including marriage agreements or cohabitation agreements.
Annulment
An annulment is a court declaration that the spouses were never legally married. Family lawyers handle these annulment cases.
Separation and Divorce
Family law lawyers establish grounds for divorce by helping their clients prove cruelty, adultery, or separation.
Spousal Support
Family law lawyers help clients secure alimony or spousal support. This is money paid by one spouse to the other after separation or divorce.
Matrimonial Property
In Ontario, the law treats marriages as economic partnerships. Family law lawyers help their clients secure equal payments from their former spouses.
Decision-Making Responsibility (Child Custody)
Family law lawyers can help couples settle legal disputes involving the decision-making responsibility for their children.
Estate Planning
Family law lawyers take up estate planning cases, which involve helping clients arrange their personal affairs in contemplation of their death or physical or mental incapacity.
Cohabitation Agreement
In Ontario, family law lawyers help common-law couples draft cohabitation agreements.
What Can a North York Family Lawyer Do For You
A family law lawyer can help you and your family in many ways. Check the list below and discover how a family law lawyer can help resolve your family’s important legal issues.
Handling Divorce Issues
Undergoing a divorce can be a draining experience for a family. Emotions are getting in the way, which can make it difficult for a couple to settle it calmly.
In such a case, a family law lawyer can help settle the conflict through alternative dispute resolutions. The lawyer can help assist couples to approach the issue rationally and within the law.
Handling Estates and Wills
A family law lawyer can also help you handle wills and estates. A will is a document through which people can outline how they would wish their property to be distributed upon their death.
Family law lawyers can help draft wills and give advice on power of attorney. They can ensure that an estate is distributed as stated by a deceased via the will.
Handling Decision-Making Responsibility Agreements
When a couple separates, they need to discuss how they can take care of their children while they’re separated.
With a family law lawyer, couples can discuss which parent will get the decision-making responsibility for their child. The lawyer can help divorced parents draft agreements about how they can take care of their kids.
Handling Prenuptial Agreements
A prenuptial agreement is a domestic document signed by a couple prior to a marriage or a civil union.
A family lawyer can assist couples who are drafting a prenuptial agreement. They can also deal with any legal matters that may arise from the prenup.
Represent Litigants in Court
Family law lawyers can help litigants get justice. These lawyers have the legal knowledge and skills to help litigants to navigate the hurdles of family law and ensure that justice is served.
Things to Ask When Hiring A Family Law Lawyer |
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| What is your level of experience? | Know your lawyer’s level of experience. You should also know if they are well-versed in family law. |
| What type of legal cases do you handle and who is your typical client? | You should know if the lawyer can give you the legal support you need. If you need a lawyer for adoption matters, you may need to look for a different one if your lawyer only handles estate planning. |
| How much will this cost me? | No matter what your situation is, you need to make sure that you can afford the services of your lawyer. You may also ask if a discount is possible. |
| Are there other ways to solve my family’s legal issues? | Know all your options. Doing this can help you save on legal costs. |
| When can I expect to hear from you? | Find out how often you’ll receive updates from your lawyer. This way, you won’t miss any important changes in your case. |
With the help of an experienced North York family lawyer, you can start protecting your legal rights and assets in a family law matter. Contact Gelman & Associates today!
Pro Tip
When choosing a family law lawyer, make sure to find a lawyer you can work with. Throughout your case, your lawyer will be your partner. You may need to confide in your lawyer some sensitive or embarrassing information you would prefer not to share with anyone else.
Get in Touch with the Experienced Family Law Lawyers in North York
Whenever you need a family lawyer in North York to help you in time of need, we are here to help you. Visit Gelman & Associates and learn how experienced family law lawyers can help protect your rights during a separation or divorce.
Call us at today (844) 769-0737 or 1-844-769-0737 or contact us online for a confidential initial consultation.
North York Family Law Lawyers FAQs
North York Family Law Lawyers FAQs
It’s recommended to seek the help of a family lawyer if you and your family are facing legal disputes that you can’t settle on your own. However, it is never too early to have a family lawyer especially if you are contemplating marrying in the future.
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 is closely using the provisions of Family Law Act in relation to issues such as property distribution, support, decision making responsibility, and the like.
However, in general, when you say family law per se, this is a wide field of the law that encompasses, among others, the Family Law Act and the Divorce Act.
Family law is an area of law that focuses on issues involving family relationships. Under family law, lawyers deal with a wide range of domestic cases, including adoption and divorce.
