Our Consultation

The First Step 

The first step towards resolving your family law matter is a consultation with one of our lawyers. We offer a comprehensive consultation where we will meet with you to learn about your unique situation, your concerns and your goals so that we can equip you with the information and advice you need to make decisions about your future.

Choosing a Process

In our consultation we will talk about the different process options available to you so that you can choose the option that will be most efficient and productive for your family.

Knowledge is Power

For individuals seeking legal advice we provide general legal information as well as the advice you will need so that you know your rights and obligations with respect to:

• separation and divorce;
• marriage and marriage contracts;
• cohabitation and cohabitation agreements;
• parenting (decision making, residential schedules and parenting plans);
• division of property;
• sharing debt;
• valuing assets;
• child support;
• spousal support;
• the matrimonial home;

…and all of the other complex issues that can arise in family law that are relevant to you.

For separating couples looking for information we will provide an Early Neutral Consultation to both parties together where we cannot provide independent legal advice but we can provide legal information about family law in Ontario. This can be more of a “how it works” meeting that will help people who are un-coupling understand their options and the steps needed to get to a complete separation agreement and, if applicable, a divorce. This type of consultation will include referrals to the professionals (financial professionals, family professionals, lawyers, etc.) who can help make the process smooth.

The Process

We do not use our consultation with you as an opportunity to sell you our legal services. Prior to the consultation you will have provided us (by way of our intake form) much of the information we will need about you and your family and the lawyer you meet with will have reviewed it. We can therefore spend our time with you providing valuable information and answers to your questions. We will work with you to create a plan to move your matter forward efficiently. At the end of the consultation you will have received honest advice and information on which you can rely. For that reason we charge a flat rate consultation fee of $500.00.

When you call our firm one of our staff members will answer and will learn about  your matter so we can offer you a consultation with a lawyer who specializes in the area of law in which you have questions.  We will send you an intake form to complete.  We will need the name(s) of your spouse and any other parties involved so we can do a conflict check.  We will take your payment and schedule a date and time for a meeting which can be in-person or by video conference depending on your preference.

Some of our clients come to the consultation prepared with a full list of questions and documents we may need to review.  That can be helpful and we will answer those questions.  Some clients come to the consultation with nothing, and that’s also okay.  Most of our clients have not been through the process before and many don’t know how to start.  We will ask you questions to understand how we can help you and we will give you the advice you need.

For more information about the process or to book a consultation please email Fiona Bryan.