How to Protect Your Family Law Rights in Ontario-An Overview

How to Protect Your Family Law Rights in Ontario: An Overview

If you are like a number of our clients, perhaps you’re a little intimidated by the idea of actually going through a separation or divorce.

That’s completely understandable if you’ve never done this before, plus anything new involves some level of frustration and anxiety.

So  I thought that I’ll share with you how the separation and divorce process works and give you some great tips on protecting your family law rights in your separation or divorce.

Here’s some key information you must know to defend your legal rights in your family law situation:

1. .You need to identify the major legal issues in your separation or divorce.  These issues usually include custody of your children, an access schedule for your children, child support, spousal support, and how to deal with your home and other major assets.
2. You need to understand your family law rights respecting these major issues in your case, such as custody of your children and child support.
3. After you have identified the major issues in your case and you understand your family law rights respecting these issues, you should try to negotiate a separation agreement with your ex-spouse.  A separation agreement is a legally-binding written agreement between you and your former spouse that clearly resolves these issues between you and your former spouse.
4. You must also get full financial disclosure from your ex-spouse before you can reach a final settlement or signed separation agreement with your former spouse.
5. You should realize that you are negotiating an agreement with your ex-spouse so that there will be some “back and forth” about the issues.  You should expect this as part of the process of negotiating an agreement with your ex-spouse.
6. If you cannot resolve any of the major issues in your family law situation with your ex-spouse, you should seriously consider going to family court to deal with these matters.  Family court is a last resort but it may be necessary to solve certain key family law issues in your case when your ex-spouse is taking an unreasonable position on these issues.

One thing is for sure: You cannot successfully hope to negotiate a settlement or separation agreement with your ex-spouse without an excellent understanding of your family law rights.

If you have any questions about your separation, divorce or family law case and you would like our help, there’s a few ways to contact our office.  You can leave a message on my Facebook law office page or call me directly at 905-434-8837.  We would be happy to speak to you.

Oh, by the way, did you know you can protect your family law rights and get essential information on settling your family law issues with your former spouse with the daily indispensable family law advice and tips at my FREE Facebook group?

Go here to find out more: Durham Region Separation and Divorce Legal Support Group