Offices in Ottawa and Perth
(613) 722-1500

CONTACT US (613) 722-1500

Family Law

Our Approach

Mann Lawyers approaches every single case differently, which allows us to focus on facts and details that could otherwise go overlooked and change your outcome. We are a law firm that specializes in personalized, well-informed family law services custom-tailored to your needs. Our lawyers are committed to guiding family members to creative solutions by providing practical and individual legal advice. We can assist you in and out of court with ease.

We strive to be quick and concise without skipping elements that could help you achieve a favourable outcome. Our goal is to satisfy clients with fact-focused, thoughtful legal counsel that is based on their situation specifically. We also know how such processes can be emotionally taxing, which is why we incorporate a friendly and understanding approach when working with you. We want for you and your family to feel welcome and comfortable when consulting with us.

You can be assured of precise attention paid to even the smallest detail — nothing is insignificant to us when gathering compelling evidence or documentation supporting your side of the story. Our team has not only the depth and profound experience to protect you and your interests in court but also the skills to drive towards an amicable settlement out of court.

We can conduct negotiations with the intent of leading everyone towards an optimal resolution with minimal expense, delay, and acrimony. We offer arbitration and mediation services and lawyers who practice Collaborative Family Law.

We also have experience in fertility and surrogacy law and can assist parents and surrogates by drafting and providing independent legal advice on surrogacy agreements.

We can connect you to support that will make this time easier. We have a number of professionals with whom we have built a trust relationship, that we know deliver the kind of dignified service and attention to detail that we ourselves expect. We assess each client individually, and provide them with choices and options customized to them.

As stated, we can access and connect you with a range of locally-provided services in support of your individual needs.

Whether it’s counselling, focused health care, real estate advice and guidance, financial assistance, or other help that you require, we can connect you to our trusted colleagues in the field.

Arbitration
Child And Spousal Support
Cohabitation And Marriage Agreements
Collaborative Practice
Division Of Property And Assets
Divorce And Separation
Fertility & Surrogacy Law
Parenting Time and Decision-Making Responsibility
Voice of the Child in Family Law

Connect with our Team

Offices in Ottawa and Perth     (613) 722-1500

Family Law Resources

Blog |
Wills, Trusts and Estates, Family Law
By: 

Posted October 25, 2024

If you are part of a blended family, your estate planning requires careful thought and consideration.  Estate planning for blended families can be more complex[...]
Blog |
Family Law
By: 

Posted September 18, 2024

The Federal Justice Department is looking for feedback from Canadians on the Federal Child Support Guidelines, and specifically on: the process to decide the amount[...]
Blog |
Family Law
By: 

Posted July 31, 2024

Family adoption, also referred to as “kinship adoption”, is a legal process in Ontario wherein stepparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or great grandparents can bring an[...]
Blog |
Family Law
By: 

Posted July 18, 2024

In the realm of family law, the division of assets during a separation or divorce can be a complex and emotionally charged process. Among the[...]
Blog |
Family Law
By: 

Posted May 24, 2024

When couples part ways, the shared ownership of a matrimonial home often becomes a contentious issue. In Ontario, the law recognizes two forms of co-ownership:[...]
Blog |
Family Law
By: 
Co-parenting with your ex-partner can be challenging. It involves constant coordination and communication about various aspects of your children’s lives. Whether it is about schedules,[...]

Frequently Asked Questions

The practice of exchanging financial disclosure in a family law matter is where two spouses provide each other with information about their income, assets and liabilities.

If the spouses are separating, the disclosure is necessary to determine issues related to support and equalization of net family property.  Generally, information about the value of assets and debts on the date of marriage and date of separation are exchanged.  Income information will typically be provided for the three years prior to the separation.

In the context of a Cohabitation Agreement or Marriage Contract, where one spouse is usually giving up certain rights or entitlements to support or equalization of property, disclosure is required to ensure that the spouse understands what it is they are giving up.

Financial disclosure is required under family law legislation.  Failure to make proper financial disclosure may result in a domestic contract being set aside.

A spouse may be required to pay the legal fees of their spouse if the matter is in court and one spouse receives a favourable judgment from the court.  The costs ordered to be paid are usually not the full amount of costs incurred.  Although costs may agree to be covered if the matter settles outside of court, that will depend upon the negotiations and offers made between the spouses.

Couples can be considered separated even if they continue to reside in the same home. The date of separation is defined as the date when the parties’ romantic relationship ended with no prospect of reconciliation. A specific date can often be difficult to pinpoint, so courts will consider several factors including whether parties;

  • Shared a bedroom
  • Had sexual intimacy
  • Prepared and ate meals together
  • Attended social events as a couple
  • Shared chores
  • Communicated about and accommodated each other’s schedules

In most situations, you will have to wait until one year from the day you and your spouse separated before you can ask the court for a divorce. The day you and your spouse separated is the day you both agree there was a breakdown in the relationship with no chance of reconciling. This can be symbolized by one spouse telling the other they want to separate, or one spouse moving out of the home.

No, you cannot. There are various issues that are dealt with in a separation agreement or marriage contract and these issues will impact you and your spouse differently. You each need your own lawyer so that they can advise you on these issues, what they mean for you, and what the options are for you going forward.

 

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