Learning Center

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For confidential, 24-hour support, the Assaulted Women’s Helpline is available at 1-866-863-0511. Fem’aide provides French-language support at 1-877-336-2433. If you are afraid that a current or former partner may harm you or your children, you may be able to seek a restraining order through the Ontario family …

Financial disclosure is one of the most important parts of resolving a family law matter in Ontario. Whether you are negotiating child support, spousal support, or property division, both parties need accurate financial information to understand their rights and obligations. Failing to provide complete and honest financial disclosure can delay negotiations, increase legal costs, and …

Blended families are common in Ontario, and stepparents can play an important role in a child’s life. Over time, a stepparent may become much more than a parent’s partner—they may help with school, appointments, activities, discipline, and everyday care. When that relationship ends, however, questions can arise about whether the stepparent has legal rights or …

Separation can make parenting more complicated, particularly when parents are adjusting to living in separate households. What was once commonly referred to as “custody” and “access” is now generally described as decision-making responsibility and parenting time under the Divorce Act. Understanding these terms and creating a clear parenting arrangement can help reduce conflict and provide …

What happens if you are concerned that your spouse may sell, transfer, or deplete assets before your property or support claim is resolved? In certain circumstances, Ontario family law allows a court to make a preservation order to help prevent a spouse from taking steps that could impair or defeat another spouse’s legal claim. What …

Divorce can be difficult enough without having to sort through misinformation. Friends, social media, and movies can create misconceptions about what actually happens when a marriage ends. Here are five common divorce myths and what the law actually says. Myth 1: Divorce Always Means a Courtroom Battle Divorce and separation do not necessarily have to …

If you are separating and there is a disagreement about parenting, you may have heard that the Office of the Children’s Lawyer (OCL) could become involved in your case. Many parents are unsure what the OCL does, who can request its involvement, and whether a court request automatically means the OCL will accept the case. …

“We’ve been living together for years, so doesn’t that make us common-law?” It’s one of the most common questions a family lawyer hears, and the honest answer is: usually, but the details matter. In Ontario, cohabitation is a specific legal concept, not simply a shared address, and whether you meet the legal definition can shape …

“Domestic relations law” is a broad term for the laws that govern family relationships. In Ontario, it is more commonly called family law and covers issues such as marriage, separation, divorce, parenting, child support, spousal support, and property. One of the most important things to understand about family law in Ontario is that it is …

Turning 18 is an important legal milestone. In Ontario, it is generally the age at which a person becomes an adult and gains many rights and responsibilities that previously belonged to their parents or guardians. For parents, however, turning 18 often raises a more practical question: Does child support automatically stop when a child becomes …