Family Law Resources
Self Help GuidesFinancial Disclosure Checklist
We offer collaborative Family Law services from a CFL trained lawyer.
What is collaborative family law? – Steps to Justice
Tenenbaum and Solomon is committed to supporting you both in and out of the court room. Whether you require assistance with a child support, custody, divorce or family property case, you can take comfort in knowing our team is in your corner.
The stresses of family irresolvable difficulties can harm everyone involved. With all of the emotions being brought to the fore, one may not be able to think clearly in order to make the correct legal decisions. A lawyer is best able to guide one through these difficult times and help those involved make these decisions. To ease tensions and fight aggressively for your rights when it comes to trial, one must have a very skilled lawyer with years of experience. Tenenbaum and Solomon have been practicing in the field for 30+ years and are capable of providing services including –
- Access and Visitation Issues
- Child and Spousal support
- Child Protection Proceedings
- Cohabitation Contracts and Prenups
- Collaborative Family Law
- Custody
- Division of Property
- Divorce (Contested & Uncontested)
- Possession and sale of Matrimonial home
- Foreign Divorce Legal Opinions for Remarriage in Canada
- Freezing Assets
- Guardianship
- Paternity Related Matters
- Representation before Family Responsibility Office (FRO)
- Sale of Family Property
- Separation Agreements
- We expedite Legal Aid Certificates
Questions you should ask
Choosing your lawyer in a family law case is almost as important as choosing your spouse. Questions you should ask, and our typical answers, follow.
Q:How much does it cost?
A: Our minimum retainer is $5000 for contested matters and $2000 for separation agreements. An initial consultation of 1 hour is $250 plus HST (waived for clients on social assistance or legal aid). Factors that drive costs include the number of issues you are fighting over, the lawyer your spouse has (the worst is when a spouse insists on representing him / herself), and the honesty and diligence of the parties when financial disclosure is sought. We will discuss a budget at the beginning and throughout any retainer.
Q: How long does it take?
A: Court dates are four to five months apart and a typical contested case can easily take over three years, or longer than some marriages. Courts reject paperwork, parties cannot be served, and some clients do not call or respond for months at a time. Cases move slowly, and it is not because we bill by the hour. Separation agreements typically take 3 weeks from when all financial disclosure (including valuations) is received. Same for “pre-nups” but note we will not undertake an agreement within a month of the marriage date.
Q What do I need to bring you?
A: Last three years of Notices of Assessment available from CRA 1-800-959-8281. If you have not filed, do so ASAP. Also bring VISA bills, bank statements, mortgage statements and anything else for the month of separation. If you are varying a support order, information for every year you seek to vary is required.. You also need to complete our “matrimonial information form”. Whatever you bring, I will want more. See “Financial Disclosure Checklist” above.
Q Are you the right lawyer for me?
A: Questions I would ask a potential lawyer include: How many years of family law experience do you have? (30); Are you certified as a specialist in family law by the law society? (I am not, but a major portion of my practice is dedicated to family law); Do you know opposing counsel? (I frequently do); Do you accept legal aid? (yes, see “Legal Aid” section of this website); Do you have a discipline history with the Law Society (no); Do you provide references (no, but I will show on request my file when a kind client or court official writes me a thank you!).
My best advice is to see a few lawyers before deciding. Do not be afraid to ask for some names.
