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Independent Legal Advice for Family Law Matters in Ontario

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Experienced Family Law Lawyers Providing Independent Legal Advice with Offices throughout Toronto and Ontario

Even if you and your partner (or soon to be ex-partner) have drafted a document that you believe sufficiently addresses each of your concerns, it is always advisable that each of you retain your own lawyer who will act in your best interests. Never sign a contract without first doing so.

When you meet with your lawyer, he or she will:

  • obtain information about your current situation;
  • provide you with direction regarding your legal rights;
  • review documents with you;
  • discuss and provide feedback on any possible concerns you may have; and
  • suggest changes that might strengthen your position.

Following these conversations, your lawyer will then negotiate with your partner’s lawyer to attempt to reach satisfactory outcomes. Once this process is complete, your lawyer will confirm – in writing – that you have received independent legal advice.

Myths About Family Law in Ontario Facts About Family Law in Ontario
  • Women always win in family law.
  • Mothers always get custody of the children.
  • Spouse who moved out of their home are considered separated.
  • No one needs a family law lawyer during a divorce.
  • Lawyers make the divorce process more complicated than it needs be.
  • No one has the right to deprive a child access to his or her father or mother.
  • Common-law spouses must divide their assets with each other.
  • The Courts want to maximize a child’s contact with both parents.
  • The law in Ontario allows anyone to apply for access to any child.
  • Having a lawyer review documents before they are signed will help ensure that the agreements comply with the law, are enforceable, and are fair to each party.

Why should I seek out Independent Legal Advice?

When you and your partner (or soon to be ex-partner) obtain independent legal advice, you have greater assurances that the agreement(s) will be upheld in the future and are less likely to be challenged in Court.

In the absence of such protections, either party may claim that they did not understand what it was they were signing, nor fully understood their rights at the time. Should that occur, you will both face increased legal costs and additional stress in the resolution of your family law matter.

For Independent Legal Advice, Contact Our Family Law Lawyers at one of Our Six Offices throughout Aurora, Barrie, Downtown Toronto, Mississauga North York and Scarborough

At Gelman & Associates, our lawyers can provide you with the necessary expert counsel so that you fully understand the nature of your contracts and ensure that your rights are protected. With six offices throughout Aurora, Barrie, Downtown Toronto, Mississauga North York and Scarborough, we are just a short distance away in any direction. Call us at (416) 736-0200 or  1-844-736-0200 or contact us online for a confidential initial consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

In Canada, family attorneys provide a wide range of services. Family court lawyers assist clients in a range of cases, including custody issues, parental rights, separation, divorce, child and spousal support, throughout trials and litigation.

Family cases are a form of a civil lawsuit in which matters between or involving spouses, parents, and children are addressed. Family courts deal with a wide range of domestic-related problems.

Legal information explains the law and the legal system in general terms and no specific case is addressed in the information. Legal advice applies the law, including statute and case law and legal principles to a particular situation.

The key purpose of independent legal advice is to provide an objective review of a legal document, confirm a client understands the document properly, and verify a client has not been pressured into signing their document.

This might help you avoid running out of money throughout your elderly years and act as financial security for your child/ren. Your investing plan can help you determine how much risk you should accept and how much money you can safely withdraw from your account.

Full disclosure isn’t always helpful, but you should be transparent about everything if you’re discussing your case with your lawyer. Keeping information from your divorce lawyer may even cause a negative outcome to your case. Before deciding to withhold information from your lawyer, bear in mind that your appreciation of a certain information may differ from the appreciation of your lawyer on a legal standpoint.
You can be confident that anything disclosed by you to your divorce lawyer is protected under the solicitor-client privilege.

In general, there is no right or wrong time to hire a family lawyer. It is never too early nor too late for you to hire a family lawyer. Remember that Family Lawyers deal with a wide array of expertise in the field. Single individuals that already have substantial properties or business interests may already plan ahead in protecting what they already have, own, or achieved even prior to entering into marriage.

Depending on the terms of engagement with the family lawyer or the law office, professional fees may vary.

Still have family law questions?

Speak to a lawyer

If you need legal advice regarding independent legal advice matters in Ontario, contact our Toronto family law lawyers for a free consultation. Some conditions may apply.

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