Family Law

Family law matters are deeply personal.

Whether you are planning for a pre-nup, navigating parenting arrangements, or dealing with an urgent situation involving your children, the decisions made during this time will have a lasting impact on your life and the lives of your family members.

At Simkoe Law, every file is handled with the seriousness and sensitivity it deserves.

  • I represent clients in all family law matters, including:

    • Separation and divorce

    • Parenting time and decision-making responsibility

    • Child and spousal support

    • Property division

    • Urgent and emergency motions

    • Case conferences and settlement conferences

    • Child protection proceedings

    • FRO matters

    • Domestic violence matters

  • Family law matters can be resolved in a number of ways, from negotiated agreements to court orders.

    I will guide you through every step, including:

    • Procedural steps, such as serving and filing documents

    • Mediation

    • Case conferences & settlement conferences

    • Motions, including urgent and emergency motions

    • Trials

    • Child protection proceedings

    • FRO enforcement proceedings

  • Legal fees can be a barrier to getting the help you need.

    I am happy to discuss flexible arrangements, including limited scope representation, where I assist you with specific parts of your matter rather than the entire file.

    This can be a cost-effective option for clients who are able to handle some aspects of their case on their own but need a lawyer for certain steps.

  • If you or your children are in immediate danger, or if there has been a sudden change in circumstances requiring urgent court intervention, it is possible to bring an emergency motion on short notice.

    I have experience in bringing urgent motions and can move quickly if the situation calls for urgent action.

  • Domestic violence can have a significant impact on family law proceedings, including parenting arrangements and safety planning.

    I have experience representing survivors of domestic violence and understand the unique sensitivities these cases require.

    Your safety and the safety of your children is always the priority.

  • Family law matters do not always require court intervention. I can draft and review a range of domestic contracts, including:

    • Cohabitation agreements

    • Prenuptial agreements (marriage contracts)

    • Separation agreements

    • Parenting plans

    Having a well-drafted agreement in place can save significant time, stress, and expense down the road. I will ensure your agreement is legally sound, reflects your intentions, and protects your interests.

  • Separation begins the moment you and your partner decide to live separate and apart: no court order is required.

    Divorce is the legal dissolution of a marriage and requires a court order. You must be separated for at least one year before applying for divorce in most cases.

    Issues arising from your separation, including support and parenting arrangements, can be resolved before or without a divorce. I can assist you with each of these issues.

  • In Ontario, the terms "custody" and "access" have been replaced by "decision-making responsibility" and "parenting time."

    These arrangements can be agreed upon between the parties or determined by a court, always guided by the best interests of the child.

    Even where there may be conflict, I believe there can be an arrangement that works for your family. I will work collaboratively with you to find the set-up that works best for everyone involved.

  • Child support in Ontario is calculated using the Federal Child Support Guidelines, based primarily on the paying parent's income and the number of children.

    Spousal support depends on factors including the length of the relationship, each party's financial situation and the roles each party played during the relationship.

    I will ensure any support arrangement reflects your actual circumstances.

  • If the Children's Aid Society has become involved with your family, it is important to get legal advice immediately.

    CAS has broad powers to investigate concerns about a child's safety and in serious cases can seek to remove a child from the home. I will help you understand the process, your rights, and how to respond effectively.

Book a Free Family Law Consultation