FAMILY LITIGATION LAWYER TORONTO
If you’re going through a divorce or separation, there are various issues that need to be resolved including support, property division, and parenting. If you and your partner are unable to reach a settlement either between yourselves or with the assistance of a mediator, your next option may be to get your matter resolved in court.
While we always recommend alternative dispute resolution processes like negotiation, mediation, or collaborative family law, there are times where an Order is crucial, and the court is the only way to get a resolution.
There are various steps in the court process and before retaining us to represent you in your family litigation matter, we go over the steps in as much detail as you need to understand the process. The main parties in a family court proceeding are called the Applicant and the Respondent. The Applicant starts the case and the case may be started:
- Where the Applicant lives
- Where the child habitually resides if a parenting order is sought
- With the courts permission, in a municipality chosen by the parties
Every family court process starts with an Application. If you are making a claim for support or property division, you have to include a financial statement. If there are parenting orders sought, then you must also include an Affidavit (decision-making responsibility, parenting time, contact).
Depending on where the Respondent lives, an Answer is required within 30 – 60 days of being served with the Application. In addition to the Answer, a financial statement and an Affidavit (decision-making responsibility, parenting time, contact) may be required, depending on the claims made against you or the claims that you would like to make against the Applicant, or other added parties.
A first appearance at the court may be required at which time, a case conference date would be set. If a first appearance is not required, then the parties can schedule a case conference through the trial coordinator’s office.
Before your matter goes to a trial, you would usually be required to attend a case conference, settlement conference, and trial management conference. In many cases, you may attend any of these conferences more than once. The goal of these conferences is usually to help settle or narrow the issues or to simply the case in anyway.
Most cases settle before Trial but if unfortunately, your matter has to proceed to a trial, it is important to have strong legal representation from an experienced trial lawyer. We develop your case strategy, ensure you have the best evidence possible and prepare you and your witnesses for examination and cross-examination.
Equally important, we help you put together the best offer to settle possible so as to avoid Trial if possible. We are candid with you on the issues where you will likely be successful, and those where the law is not on your side. If after exploring all possibilities to settle, the other side remains unwilling to settle, you can count on our team to make sure your case is presented in the best way possible to ensure success.
Thank you AP for helping me through this phase of my life. I really can’t tell you how appreciative I am and glad that I chose you to. Very professional and knowledgeable in what you do!
- Lawrish
AP Lawyers made an uncomfortable situation very comfortable for our family. Thank you to all the staff @ AP Lawyers. You all made us feel at ease. We will recommend this law firm to anyone who needs this service.
– Hellen Verbancic
Very pleased with the services I received for my family . They were all very quick and very responsive to any question me and my family have had while working on their case. I would recommend them all with open heart because every employee have shown such care in the matter and helped us a lot. Thank you AP Lawyers and Danyal for making the dream having my family closer come true !!
- Elena Novakovic
Talk about professionalism, productive and being on time, for Family Law & Immigration Matters. AP Lawyers Pickering is the right firm to contact. Thanks to everyone at AP Lawyers for their great support and help in all matters dealt with. My experience at AP Lawyers has been a great one so far!
– Doneeta Persuad
I cannot say enough good things about the people at AP Lawyers.They are professional, knowledgeable, thorough and empathetic. They will follow up with you and make sure you are on the right track.I will recommend them every time.
- Ogechi Uwasomba
"Professional and courteous staff, nice office location with ample parking, reasonable fees and above all I had very satisfactory experience of their legal consultation"
- Arif M. Khatri
AP Lawyers were a pleasure to deal with from the get go. Sharaya was my first point of contact and she was very welcoming and helpful with all my queries. I had a phone consolation with Angela, she was very professional, honest and knowledgeable. I went to the office and met with Shireen Abdi and I would defiantly recommend her again and again, she is kind, knowledgeable, genuine and sharp at what she does. Thank you!
- R I
Angela was kind and understanding and gave me the right advice I needed for my current situation. Truly provided a wonderful experience and excellent advice. Thank you thank you.
- Mandee Sinn
I highly recommend AP lawyers. Excellent service. My consultation was with Anisa and it helped me a lot for my current situation.
- MilinduPerera
Ms. Pricewill is kind, extremely knowable, patient and she genuinely wants to help. She takes the time necessary to adequately guide you through your legal maze. Also she gives you realistic cost and outcome expectations and does not try to sell you on her services instead she focuses on what's best for you and your unique situation. Thanks for your help!
- Jon-Taine H.
I want to thank Angela Princewill for the way she is handling my case. She is very passionate about my rights. My case is very complicated involving divorce, custody, access, child support and property division. I am confident she will get me the best results in every area.
- Anon
