Discover Chapman McAlpine, family lawyers in Ontario
Chapman McAlpine is a firm of family lawyer advice ontario. Our team of experienced professionals work hard to provide clients with the most effective assistance they can in regard to their legal family matters.
We are experts in family law and have the knowledge to help you through any complicated situation you may find yourself in.
Divorce lawyer advice in Ontario
Divorce is a legal process that ends a marriage. Divorces can be “uncontested”, meaning both parties agree to the divorce and all matters such as support, custody, and property division; or they can be “contested”, which means that at least one of the spouses does not agree with the divorce or some part of it.
It is important to understand that divorce is different from separation. Although many couples separate before they get divorced, you do not need to be separated from your spouse in order to get a divorce in Ontario. Separation usually refers to the situation where spouses are living apart but are still legally married. Sometimes, people who are separated refer to themselves as being “divorced” because they feel emotionally disconnected from their ex-spouse – even though they have not been granted a court order for divorce yet.
Many people seek family lawyer advice ontario advice in Ontario because they want help getting a divorce (and/or dealing with other family law issues like child custody and access). A court order is required before you are officially considered divorced in Ontario (even if you were separated for years before deciding to get divorced).
Collaborative law family lawyer advice Toronto
Collaborative law is a way of reaching an agreement, without going to court. It’s voluntary, and both parties must agree before it can work. Both parties agree to negotiate without the threat of going to court, and instead of you each hiring your own barrie family lawyer, all four of you – you and your partner, with your two lawyers – enter into an agreement known as a participation agreement in which you pledge to settle the case outside of court. A series of meetings then take place between yourselves and your lawyers until the matter has been resolved.
Why consider collaborative law?
Collaborative law allows couples the opportunity to reach agreements through a process that encourages communication between them rather than through conflict or competition in litigation. The process allows couples who have decided to separate or divorce an opportunity for personal control over decision-making and confidence that they can come up with solutions that best suit their needs and those of their children.
Mediation services lawyer advice Ontario
Mediation is a voluntary process where you and the other party meet with a neutral third-party mediator to discuss your legal problem. The mediator helps you look at the issues from different perspectives and promote communication between the two parties. Mediators do not make decisions for the two parties but help them make their own decisions about how to resolve their dispute.
How does mediation work?
Both parties are given an opportunity to explain their side of the story, what they would like to see happen, and why. The mediator then assists both parties in looking for possible solutions that could satisfy both sides. At this point, it is up to each individual whether or not he/she accepts the proposed solution as a way of resolving his/her dispute. If both sides agree on a solution, it can be written down into an agreement that can later be binding if either party fails to fulfill his part of the agreement. The goal of mediation is to allow individuals who have disputes with one another to resolve them without having to go through court proceedings or lawyer advice in barrie (which is often time-consuming and expensive).
Why should I choose mediation over litigation? Mediation benefits both sides because it saves you time and money while allowing you more control over your circumstances than going through court proceedings might allow. Although it doesn’t guarantee success (some disputes cannot be solved by simply having discussions), most who go through with mediation find that they feel more satisfied afterward than if they had gone straight for litigation in court settings.
Property division lawyer advice Toronto
When it comes to family law property division, the most important matter is to receive legal advice from a specialist during the process. Your family lawyer advice ontario will help you understand your rights and obligations and negotiate with your spouse.
Family property includes all assets acquired by either spouse during the marriage. It does not include gifts, inheritances, or property excluded by a written agreement. Family debts include all liabilities incurred by either spouse during the marriage (except for student loans).
A property division lawyer in Toronto can help make sure that your rights are protected when it comes to dividing up your assets in a divorce. Our firm can help determine how the courts will divide up your assets and debts, so you know what to expect from your divorce settlement. We can also negotiate on your behalf so that you get the best deal possible when splitting up your marital assets.
Domestic violence
Domestic violence lawyer advice helps individuals safely leave an abusive relationship or situation. This could include getting a restraining order from courts, seeking counseling services from community organizations, or applying for government assistance if necessary. Other services offered by domestic violence lawyers include:
- Accessing shelter services
- Helping clients go through the process of securing child support or custody (for parents)
- Helping clients access legal aid
- Providing referrals to counseling and treatment programs
It is important that victims of domestic violence seek the right kind of legal help as soon as they can. If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship and needs immediate help, contact us at The Divorce Guys today.
If you need a family lawyer in Toronto, Chapman McAlpine has the skills to help.
Welcome to Chapman McAlpine, your source for family lawyer advice ontario advice in Toronto. If you are seeking a family lawyer, our attorneys have the experience and knowledge necessary to make sure your legal needs are met. Whether you’re seeking a divorce lawyer, a collaborative law expert, or someone who is experienced in mediation, we can help. We also have attorneys with experience in child custody and access cases. No matter where you live in Ontario, we will be nearby.