Divorce is stressful because it signifies the breakdown of a marital relationship. Couples invest a lot of time and emotion into making a marriage work. When it fails, it can be devastating.
Divorce lawyers in London, Ontario understand the unique challenges arising from separation and divorce. They will be happy to extend compassionate support and sound legal advice tailored to your family situation.
Multiple issues under family law such as custody, spousal and child support, and property division often make divorce stressful. With the right divorce lawyer at your side, you can feel confident that a legal professional will be protecting your rights and best interests.
We know you must have many questions on your mind right now. Compare divorce lawyers using our short online form to get help with your divorce so you can move forward with your life.
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The Divorce Process in Ontario: How it works
The Divorce Act, R.S.C. 1985 oversees the divorce process and how married couples can end a marriage legally.
Of course, not every married couple who separate will seek a divorce right away. They may choose to simply enter into a separation agreement.
If your marriage has come to an end, whether you prefer to separate or seek a divorce, it is best to speak to a divorce lawyer.
Divorce becomes mandatory only when one or both spouses intend to remarry.
In that case, you need to get a formal divorce judgment and a court certificate verifying it. A divorce or family lawyer can guide you through all the steps.
If you need a family lawyer for a separation agreement or a divorce agreement, fill out our short online form today. You will be connected to the best divorce lawyers in London, Ontario free of charge.
Separation or Divorce? What do family lawyers say?
A family lawyer can provide you with the best option based on your circumstances. Some of the things to be considered are:
Legal Separation
This option can still be reversed if a couple decide to reconcile. It can give the couple time and space to think things through while still maintaining certain aspects of the marriage. It is a serious step with both the husband and wife having responsibilities and obligations to fulfill.
Under these circumstances, spouses may choose to live separately, share custody of the children, make arrangements regarding financial obligations, etc. They cannot, however, get married to other people.
Divorce
Divorce is irreversible. The marriage is officially terminated with a court judgment. Properties will be divided up and child custody will be awarded, sole or joint. One spouse may be ordered to pay spousal support.
A family lawyer will get to know your situation and give legal advice with due consideration to your needs and rights under the law.
Certain issues in a troubled marriage leading to divorce can be contentious, including child or spousal support, division of properties, and child custody.
If the marriage is 10 years or more, you could be eligible to certain spousal Social Security benefits.
Hire a divorce lawyer to handle these matters and help you come to a satisfactory solution. It is not mandatory to hire a lawyer to get a divorce but the Province of Ontario recommends working with a divorce lawyer on their website for those considering a divorce.
Do both spouses need to hire a divorce lawyer?
While it is not legally required to hire a divorce lawyer, one or both spouses may do so to benefit from legal advice and guidance.
They cannot hire the same lawyer to represent them both as this would be considered a conflict of interest.
A divorce lawyer can provide vital information concerning:
- Marital assets;
- Division of properties;
- Child custody;
- Repayment of debts;
- Spousal support & other benefits
A divorce lawyer will be your best ally during this difficult time. Look out for your best interests and hire a divorce lawyer from the JuriGo network.
How to apply for legal separation in London, Ontario?
Separation happens when a married couple decide to live separately without terminating the marriage. The relationship has ended, and they may continue to live in the same dwelling or apart, but the marriage remains binding.
To apply for legal separation, you need to seek legal advice from a family lawyer. He will prepare a separation agreement that both parties will accept and sign.
This separation agreement is a legally binding document which specifies the rights and duties of each party regarding financial allotments, child access and custody, property division, debts, and child or spousal support.
What is the legal consequence or implication of separation? Significant issues including child custody, support, and property division are affected. By hiring a family lawyer, you can ensure that your rights are protected and get help with navigating this difficult process.
An efficient separation agreement drafted by a family lawyer will provide clarity and avoid future conflicts between spouses. Both parties are agreeable to the terms, making the separation less stressful.
How to apply for divorce in London, Ontario?
Various methods are available to married partners to resolve disputes and seek divorce. The best path is not the same for everyone as family circumstances are unique.
Understanding your options is the first step to take in the wake of a marriage breakdown.
Usually, divorce is a final step after separation and eliminates any uncertainty in the relationship.
In Ontario, divorce follows the same process although the timeline could vary depending on unique circumstances. Thus, a divorce lawyer is the best person to take care of your case.
Step 1: Separation.
Couples separate and enter into a separation agreement. If issues cannot be resolved amicably, mediation or arbitration can be alternative solutions. If issues are resolved through a separation agreement, either husband or wife may file an application for simple divorce or uncontested divorce.
The Divorce Act requires all spouses to explore dispute resolution methods to settle outstanding issues. This step can be done at any stage during the divorce process.
Step 2: Application:
Husband or wife can apply with the court. The file must include all claims including parenting, support, and property division. Documentation including financial statements are required and will be served to the other spouse.
Step 3: Response to divorce application
After the divorce application is served, the responding spouse must file an answer within 30 days. Documentation including financial statements is required. If the spouse applying for divorce does not agree with the response, he or she can also file a reply.
Step 4: Case Conference
After these pleadings are filed, a case conference is scheduled by the court. The spouses must attend the conference and determine which issues can be agreed on. The judge may order further steps and direct a timeline and schedule a subsequent case conference.
Step 5: Motion
After a conference, a spouse may file for a temporary order to deal with any issue that needs resolution for spousal or child support or child access. Other motions may also be filed, for instance, if a spouse is not complying with a court order or other legal obligations.
Step 6: Disclosure Exchange and Questioning
Spouses need to disclose relevant information. This includes updated bank statements, business valuations, tax returns, etc. The parties may be asked to answer questions from the court or the lawyers.
Step 7: Settlement Conference
Spouses may be asked to attend a settlement conference regarding unresolved disputes. The judge will try other ways to settle these issues. Matters that have been resolved may be documented in an agreement or court order. If issues remain unresolved, the case may go to trial.
Step 8: TrialManagement/Scheduling Conference
All matters must be dealt with before the case goes to trial. The judge will also determine if a settlement can be reached.
Step 9: Trial
During the trial, the judge will listen to the evidence from both parties and make a binding decision including the divorce order. If one or both parties oppose the decision, an appeal can be filed if their respective lawyers determine there are grounds.
Step 10: Motions to Change
Over time, circumstances change regarding the children and the spouses. A motion to change the terms of an existing court order may be filed. Examples are changes to child support or spousal support.
The legal requirements are similar for all divorce cases but the steps differ depending on the issues between the spouses and their level of complexity.
For this reason, hiring the right divorce lawyer to handle your case is very important. Find a divorce lawyer that understands the unique circumstances of your case and offer solutions that are tailored to your needs.
Compare divorce lawyers in your area by filling out our free and no-obligation form today!
Divorce Services offered by Divorce Lawyers
Our partner lawyers understand that clients need different divorce support. Flexible options are offered by our partners to meet your needs and financial means.
You can choose stand-alone legal services for one aspect of your divorce or choose all-out legal support for more complex divorce cases.
Stand-alone divorce services include:
- Review, negotiate, and draft parenting plans or interim agreements;
- Offer a legal opinion regarding issues under dispute;
- Legal representation in arbitration or mediation;
- Legal assistance in a settlement negotiation;
- Draft court materials.
On the other hand, you may wish to hire a divorce lawyer to handle all aspects of your divorce from start to finish. Full-service divorce representation will let you focus on dealing with the changes to family dynamics, finances, career changes, etc.
Full-service divorce packages include representation at a divorce trial.
With these options, you can choose how much legal assistance you want from a divorce lawyer and pay only for the services you need.
How much does a divorce lawyer cost?
In Ontario, the average retainer fees for a divorce lawyer fall in the range of $850 to $5,000++.
Legal fees vary based on the experience, reputation, and location of the lawyer and the type of divorce case.
To give you a more detailed picture, a simple/uncontested divorce or a divorce case with few disputes could cost $1,200 or less.
Aside from lawyers’ fees, you will have to pay for court fees, service of documents, and the divorce certificate.
For contested divorce cases, the average lawyer fees is $12,875+, according to the Canadian Legal Fees Survey. The longer the trial runs, the higher the legal fees.
Hourly rates of divorce lawyers
- Junior lawyers charge from $250–$350 per hour
- Mid-level lawyers charge $350–$500 per hour
- Senior lawyers charge $500–$800+ per hour
Are you tempted to avoid disputes and settle to reduce your legal fees? Uncontested divorces are the least expensive. However, don’t make decisions based on legal fees alone.
You risk paying a bigger settlement if you decide to settle without consulting a lawyer. You may save on legal fees by settling to avoid litigation but the cost of spousal support could make an uncontested divorce much more expensive.
Consult a divorce lawyer before making a decision to consider your best options.
Start by filling out our free online comparison form to get FREE and NO-OBLIGATION quotes.
Need a divorce lawyer? Meet our partner lawyers from London
You don’t need to go through a divorce alone, feeling helpless and confused. A divorce lawyer in London, Ontario can help you with the process.
Going through a divorce is never easy but with a divorce lawyer by your side, you can ensure that your rights are protected at every stage.
Get in touch with our partner divorce lawyers to get legal advice and representation. Compare divorce lawyers’ rates and services using our short online form free of charge.
Fill out our online form below and let us know how our partners can help with your divorce case today.