Divorce Cost in Ontario
Family Lawyer Divorce Cost in Barrie, Richmond Hill & GTA Ontario
One of the most common questions any potential client may have is how much would a family lawyer cost or what is the divorce cost? However, this question is an oversimplification, which may lead to some negative consequences if approached from an incorrect angle. Below we are providing relevant information related to the divorce cost.
Typically, a family lawyer or a divorce lawyer charges their clients based on the amount of time spent working on their files. Hourly rates vary significantly across the field. Usually, family or divorce lawyers’ fees increase with the amount of time they spend practicing after becoming fully licensed. However, it is important to know that having a certain amount of time after becoming licensed under the belt does not necessarily translates into real experience. Some lawyers may not have have any experience with trials or other type of family law or divorce work despite having had years or even decades after becoming licensed under their belt.
It is important to keep in mind that many firms utilize services of several lawyers and/or clerks all of whom charge their own hourly rates.
Having said the above, getting the cheapest or the most expensive lawyer may not be the most reasonable approach. You need to find out what are you getting in exchange for the fees that will be paid as a part of divorce cost.
You want to ensure that your legal team does not add extra work that is not required, utilizes their support staff and/or junior associates when possible to keep the legal bill lower but at the same time takes all appropriate steps to ensure your file moves forward without any prejudice to a potential victory. Your divorce lawyer and his/her team should ensure that the quality of work is maintained at the highest level even if the work is appropriately divided between all the key team members.
There are different types of divorces and depending on what type of a divorce you anticipate, your cost will vary greatly.
Uncontested divorce is the least costly way of separating and dividing assets. It can cost as low as a “Do It Yourself Separation Agreement”, which can be found online for less than $100.
If you are married and need to apply to court to obtain an official divorce on an uncontested basis, it can cost you whatever the government filing fees are (if you are applying yourself). As of January 2025, according to the governing legislation setting the fees down (O. Reg. 417/95: SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE – FAMILY COURT – FEES), the government fees cost of a divorce is $669, which includes the filing fee of $214 and an additional fee of $445 for placing the matter on the hearing list. Please refer to the above hyperlinked legislation for current updated government fees as they change regularly.
Contested divorce and separation implies many different processes, which have different costs. Contested Separation and divorce include: negotiation, mediation, drafting a separation agreement, litigation in family court and even trial. Below are some basic guidelines on what to expect in terms of the cost depending on the type of your contested separation and divorce.
Divorce Negotiations Cost
Negotiations do not necessarily require assistance of a legal professional. Sometimes separating spouses can negotiate and arrive at a settlement on their own. However, a more typical case involves either a lawyer or lawyers representing each party in negotiations. Each lawyer would charge their respective client in accordance with their own retainer agreement terms, which usually includes hourly rate. Almost always each party is responsible for the cost of their own lawyer if their matter is settled unless the parties have agreed that one of them covers the cost of the other party’s lawyer. The sooner the parties arrive at a settlement, the lower their separation and divorce cost will be. Considering our practice, on average, each party in a typical case may spend between $2,000 – $10,000 negotiating their divorce and separation.
Divorce Mediation Cost
Sometimes the parties decide to hire a mediator. They either request a mediator at the beginning or realize that they want to try mediation somewhere during negotiations. Again, the cost of participating in mediation varies depending on geography, experience, complexity of the issues which determines the length of mediation. Usually the parties share the cost of mediation on an equal basis. It is not uncommon for each party to pay at least between $3,000 – $11,000 for mediation. However, there are longer and more expensive mediation sessions. Remember, mediators often charge hourly rates (shared by the parties on an equal basis) but they need additional time to review the file and prepare for mediation. Also, you may want to have your lawyer prepare your case for mediation and attend mediation with you, which will cost you extra. We explore mediation in more details in a separate article you can access using this link.
Court Divorce Cost
Sometimes the parties decide to hire a mediator. They either request a mediator at the beginning or realize that they want to try mediation somewhere during negotiations. Again, the cost of participating in mediation varies depending on geography, experience, complexity of the issues which determines the length of mediation. Usually the parties share the cost of mediation on an equal basis. It is not uncommon for each party to pay at least between $3,000 – $11,000 for mediation. However, there are longer and more expensive mediation sessions. Remember, mediators often charge hourly rates (shared by the parties on an equal basis) but they need additional time to review the file and prepare for mediation. Also, you may want to have your lawyer prepare your case for mediation and attend mediation with you, which will cost you extra. We explore mediation in more details in a separate article you can access using this link.
At Progressive Legal Solutions, our clerks, accounting/administrative associates as well as junior associates work in tandem with each other and principal lawyer on every case to ensure timely attention to details, ability to explore every possible solution to your case using the collective knowledge and experience, maintain the highest level of quality of services provided and ensure the most cost-effective approach to achieve the goals discussed with you.
Some services can be provided on the basis of a block fee as further explained below.
Below is information about the cost of some of the services that PLS offers (rates are subject to change and a notice is provided to the clients in advance):
The idea of the consultation is to equip the client with all the information the client needs to move forward with their separation.
- Full and detailed overview of your situation, risks, strengths and weaknesses of your case.
- Assessment of your position.
- Discussion of the strategy.
- Information about next steps.
- Answering questions.
Initial Consultation up to 1.5 hours — $290.00 + HST.
PLS has a team of legal professionals including lawyers, family law clerks, students and assistants, which allows to allocate the work in the most cost effective manner maintaining the highest level of professionalism and quality of work.
There are different circumstances when our clients need to retain us on a standard retainer basis. Theses circumstances may include but not limited to the following:
- negotiation of the terms of separation;
- simple or complex litigation;
- trial work;
- appellate work/appeal litigation.
Lawyers and Staff hourly rates — please inquire with the firm.
- The block fee includes filling out the Affidavit for Divorce, Application for Divorce and any other required documents
- The block fee includes any and all government fees we have to pay on behalf of the client.
- The block fee includes the work necessary to complete the required documents unless in case of unusual circumstances, which are discussed prior to the retainer with the client.
- Only simple or joint divorce in case of an agreement of both parties. This block fee is not applicable to any contested family law proceedings.
- The client is solely responsible for any additional hours required to compete the work and will be billed hourly as per the section entitled “Family Law” if the client withheld information that may increase the amount of time necessary to complete the documents.
Applying for an Uncontested Divorce (Block Fee) — $2,000.00 + HST (inclusive of the government filing fees).
- We offer a block fee to maximize the cost efficiency and benefits to you. Please inquire with the firm about the details.
- The block fee is only applicable to the parties that have negotiated the terms of separation and have an agreement in principle with respect to all aspects of the separation.
- The block fee includes the following:
- initial discussion with the client of the terms of the agreement;
- providing the first draft of the agreement to the client and the opposing party;
- up to 2 full amendments/revisions of the agreement;
- review of the final version of the agreement with the client.
- Any additional services that may or may not be required are discussed on a case-by-case basis and may or may not be included in the block fee, which is confirmed prior to the retainer being signed.
Preparing a Separation Agreement (Block Fee) — $2,000.00 + HST.
- We offer a block fee to maximize the cost efficiency and benefits to you. Please inquire with the firm about the details.
- The block fee is only applicable to the parties that have negotiated the terms and have an agreement in principle.
- The block fee includes the following:
- initial discussion with the client of the terms of the agreement;
- providing the first draft of the agreement to the client and the opposing party;
- up to 2 full amendments/revisions of the agreement;
- review of the final version of the agreement with the client.
- Any additional services that may or may not be required are discussed on a case-by-case basis and may or may not be included in the block fee, which is confirmed prior to the retainer being signed.
Preparing a Cohabitation or Prenuptial/Prenup Agreement (Block Fee) — $2,000.00 + HST.
We offer block fees to maximize the cost efficiency and benefits to you. Please inquire with the firm.
Non-Senior One Person:
- Will — $450.00 + HST;
- Power of Attorney (medical or property) — $300.00 + HST;
- Package of 2 Powers of Attorney for one person (one medical and one property) — $400.00 + HST;
- Full Package of 1 Will and 2 Powers of Attorney for 1 person — $800.00 + HST.
Non-Senior Couple
- Full package of 1 Will and 2 Powers of Attorney for a couple — $1,550.00 + HST.
Senior One Person
- Will — $400.00 + HST;
- Power of Attorney (medical or property) — $250.00 + HST;
- Package of 2 Powers of Attorney for one person (one medical and one property) — $350.00 + HST;
- Full Package of 1 Will and 2 Powers of Attorney for 1 person — $710.00 + HST.
Senior Couple
- Full package of 1 Will and 2 Powers of Attorney for a couple — $1,350.00 + HST.