CHAPMAN STEFFLER LLP

Barrie Family Lawyers
You Can Trust

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We have moved! Please visit us at our new location: 35 Cedar Pointe Drive, Unit 41, Barrie, ON L4N 5R7
Please be advised that our phones are currently down. For the time being, please email Barry@chapmanmcalpine.com if you wish to reach us.

Helping Families Navigate Separation, Custody, and Support With Confidence

At Chapman Steffler, we understand that family law issues are deeply personal. Whether you’re going through a separation, facing a custody dispute, or navigating the complexities of property division, our experienced family lawyers in Barrie are here to help you find clarity and confidence through uncertain times.

We’ve built our reputation on compassionate, strategic advocacy. For over a decade, individuals and families across Barrie and throughout Simcoe County — including Orillia, Bracebridge, and Collingwood — have turned to us for personalized legal support during life’s most challenging moments.

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Our Family Law Services

Our team offers a full range of family law services designed to meet your unique needs:

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Our Legal Practice Areas

Child support

Child Support & Spousal Support Lawyer

We provide practical advice and representation to ensure that child and spousal support arrangements are fair and legally sound.

decision-making

Decision Making & Parenting time

We help parents establish or enforce parenting plans that reflect the best interests of their children, including custody, decision-making responsibilities and parenting time.

divorce

Divorce Lawyer Barrie

We represent clients in both contested and uncontested divorces, from initial filings to settlements, while safeguarding your rights and long-term interests.

family-law

Family Lawyer Barrie

Comprehensive legal support in Barrie for all family law matters, including divorce, custody, and support. We protect your rights and help you navigate emotional transitions with confidence.

division

Property Division Lawyer

We assist with dividing marital assets fairly and transparently, including pensions, savings, real estate, and the matrimonial home.

house

Matrimonial Home

We advise on rights related to the matrimonial home—ownership, occupancy, and equitable division—under Ontario family law.

resolution

Resolution Options

Explore mediation, arbitration, and collaborative law to find the most efficient and cost-effective path to resolution.

separated

Separation & Parenting Agreements

We draft and review legally enforceable agreements that address custody, decision-making responsibilities, finances, and parenting time.

Why Choose Chapman Steffler?

  • Personalized Legal Strategies – Tailored to your unique circumstances and goals
  • Compassionate Support – We treat every client with empathy and respect
  • Decades of Local Experience – Deep understanding of Ontario family law
  • Clear Communication – So you’re never left in the dark about your options

Support and Guidance Throughout the Process

At Chapman Steffler, we are aware that family law issues can be both emotionally draining and legally complex. That’s why we are here to provide you with superior support and guidance through the entire process, striving to achieve the very best outcome for you and your family. We are committed to protecting your rights and advocating for your best interests, no matter the complexity of your situation.

Personalized Service

What sets us apart is our commitment to personalized service. We recognize that every family is unique, and therefore, we tailor our approach to meet your individual needs. As divorce lawyers, we handle divorce cases with a focus on efficiency and effectiveness.

Competitive Fees & Hourly Rates

We offer competitive flat fees or hourly rates, depending on the specifics of your situation. Our goal is to ensure that the process of getting a divorce is as streamlined as possible and tailored to meet your individual needs.

Experienced Divorce Lawyers in Barrie

Our team of divorce lawyers is well-versed in all areas of family law, including divorce, decision-making responsibility, parenting time, separation agreements, parenting agreements, and more. In order to give you the best possible representation, we try to stay up-to-date on the most recent legal developments and strategies.

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A Trusted Team of Family Lawyers in Barrie

When you partner with Chapman Steffler, you can count on the utmost dedication and care. We work tirelessly to protect our clients’ rights and achieve their desired outcomes.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

At Chapman Steffler, we charge $2,000 for an uncontested divorce, in addition to any additional costs to serve your spouse (if applicable). For a separation agreement, a court order on consent, a contested court matter, or any other additional work beyond the uncontested divorce, we apply an hourly rate. Our firm bills on a monthly basis and remains 100% transparent and upfront regarding our billings. Proudly serving clients across Simcoe County, our Barrie Family Lawyers strive to keep your legal fees as low as possible by offering alternative dispute resolution options outside of court whenever feasible.

Our Family law Firm in Barrie assists clients across Simcoe County, including Orillia, Bracebridge, and Collingwood. We specialize in issues related to family matters and domestic relations. Our services include but are not limited to legal advice and representation in divorce proceedings, representation in divorce or separation proceedings, child custody, decision-making responsibility, support disputes, spousal support, division of property, and drafting of family agreements such as prenuptial and separation agreements.

A divorce lawyer in Barrie can provide you with expert legal advice and representation throughout the divorce process, ensuring that your rights and interests are protected. Whether you are going through a contested or an uncontested divorce, our lawyers will guide you through every step, from filing the initial paperwork to negotiating settlements and, if necessary, representing you in family court.

The separation or divorce process typically begins with one party filing an application for divorce. This is followed by negotiations regarding child custody, decision-making responsibility, child support, spousal support, and the division of property. If parties can reach an agreement, the process can be relatively quick and cost-effective. However, if disputes arise and an agreement cannot be reached, the case may proceed to family court, where a judge will issue a court order based on the evidence presented.

Yes, an uncontested divorce is possible when both spouses agree on all major issues, such as parenting, child support, spousal support, and property division, or where these issues have previously been resolved and formalizing the divorce is the only remaining issue.

Child custody—now referred to as decision-making responsibility and parenting time—is determined based on the best interests of the child. Factors such as the child’s age, health, emotional ties to each parent, and each parent’s ability to provide for the child’s needs are carefully considered. Our experienced Family Lawyer Barrie team can help negotiate a fair separation agreement or parenting plan and represent you in family court if an agreement cannot be reached.

Hiring a family lawyer in Barrie can provide you with several benefits, including expert legal advice, representation in negotiations and court proceedings, and a more streamlined and stress-free divorce or separation process. A knowledgeable lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of family law, ensure your rights are protected, and work towards a fair and cost-effective resolution of your case. Whether you live in Barrie, Orillia, Bracebridge, or elsewhere in Simcoe County, our team offers tailored support to help you achieve a fair and cost-effective resolution.

To ensure a cost-effective resolution to your family law issue, it is essential to be open to negotiation and compromise. Working towards an uncontested divorce or agreeing on a legal separation can significantly reduce legal fees and court costs. Hiring a family lawyer in Barrie who is experienced in mediation and collaborative law can also help you avoid lengthy and expensive court battles.

To schedule a consultation, please call our office at 705-503-3696 or enter your contact information and a brief description of your case in the “Schedule a Legal Consultation” box and we will contact you for more details.

Testimonials: What Our Clients Say

Jason Clarke
Jason Clarke
I could not be more thankful to have worked with such an amazing Legal team! Kara and team are honest, hardworking just down to earth good people. They helped me to through the worlds worst divorce/custody battle, and the hardest time of my life, and they could help you too! I don’t know where I’d be with out all the great advice and help I received. You can rest assured you’re in good hands here. I have recommend Kara to family and close friends without any hesitation. 5 Stars isn’t enough! Thank you for giving me my life back and working so hard for my Family.​
amber patterson
amber patterson
This law firm goes above and beyond for their clients. I have dealt with them for about 10 years and always an outstanding experience, fair terms, and always willing to go the extra mile for their clients.
Claudine Cooke
Claudine Cooke
I highly recommend their services. I had Kara-Lynn handle my custody and separation matter. She was very organized and prepared. She listened to what I wanted and executed everything professionally and in a timely manner. Not to mention she killed it in court! I was very happy with the results. She was great and their staff Paul and Barry! Again highly recommend!
Mark Brophy
Mark Brophy
I am not about to go into the details as to why I needed to hire Kara and her team, but in all honesty I am very happy I did. Kara helped me through one of the most difficult periods of my life, physically, emotionally and financially. She is a professional, a phenomenal Lawyer, but what sets her far above the rest is the fact that she is kind, caring and compassionate. All I can say is Thank You.