Child Custody, Protection & Support Lawyers Toronto

Begin by documenting issues relating to your child's safety or well-being. For custody, you should also draft a parenting plan outlining your proposed decision-making and parenting time. Further paperwork may be required, including the completion of court forms such as Form 8 (Application) and Form 35.1 (Affidavit) if filing formally. In urgent protection scenarios, call Toronto's family court right away for emergency orders blocking the child from being removed from the jurisdiction or being placed in danger through unsupervised access.

Our priority is always on plans that foster stable contact with both parents where it is safe to do so and which take into account the child's emotional needs, living arrangements, and each separated parent's care-giving capabilities. That plan may incorporate first attempts at mediated agreement or negotiation over the terms, leaving litigation as a last resort in only the most contentious cases.

• Sole decision-making responsibility (custody): Only one parent has final authority over major questions involving schooling, health, religion etc.
• Joint decision-making responsibility: Both parents co-operate on major decisions.
• Parenting time (access): Which parent the child lives with when, ranging from primary residence with one parent to a roughly shared split.

• Threats the child may be taken away from you
• Domestic violence or substance abuse could threaten the child's safety
• The other parent suddenly refuses to allow access

Emergency orders from the court can include travel restrictions, appointment of supervised access, or assignment of temporary custody.

In custody disputes, parents fight each other for parenting rights. In cases involving child protection, state agencies (like the Children's Aid Society) may intervene where there is a risk of abuse, neglect, or harm to the child. The Office of the Children's Lawyer may become involved to represent the child's interests in a protection trial.

Child support sums are determined by a federal table taking into account the income of the payor, the number of children, and whether parenting time is split. Courts can make additional allowances for special expenses like extracurricular activities or unexpected educational/medical costs.

• Your lawyer can seek collection through wage garnishment
• A lien on federal income tax refunds
• Suspension of a driver's license
• A contempt declaration
• In rare instances, a judge may transfer custody to the parent who is actually supporting the child

• Assisted mediation
• Collaborative family legal process
• Written parenting agreement as part of a separation contract
• Disputes may be resolved quickly by four-way meetings between both spouses' lawyers

Our response is guided by the facts: if there is a genuine risk to the child we will argue for supervised parenting time, or a temporary suspension of access. In the most serious cases, we work with a child protection agency and seek emergency orders from the court.

We explain in simpler terms concepts such as 'decision-making responsibility' (custody) and 'parenting time' (access), as well as offer plain-language descriptions of the different court forms and affidavits and written agreements involved.

Fees depend on the size and type of your case. In the initial consultation we explain how you will be billed for various services and provide a cost estimate while offering options for payment on a more flexible schedule. Some uncontested cases qualify for a set flat rate.

Client contact is established via whatever method you prefer (email, phone, or secure portal site). We schedule certain updates along the way and will reply to you immediately if the matter cannot wait.

Referrals are available for Legal Aid Ontario (if you qualify), parenting coordinators in your area, and groups such as the Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies. Counseling is available upon request for emotional issues.

• Negotiations may take place on the parallel track (between lawyers only)
• We can recommend a parenting co-ordinator
• Seek appointment of a mediator by the court
• Communication between parents is kept secure by using tools such as OurFamilyWizard

Uncontested cases can be finished within a few weeks, but contested matters average between 6 and 18 months depending on busy court dockets. Emergency orders requested for urgent cases can sometimes be obtained within days.

Yes - we assist in the process of filing an official application for 'variation' based on 'material change' of circumstance (for example a move, a payor losing or gaining income, a parent becoming ill or disabled). Confirming documentation or witness statements must be presented for any updated orders.

• Text/email messages
• Income/asset statements
• Sworn witness statements
• Assessment/therapy records
• Notes on parenting encounters

Yes. While keeping disputed child custody and support matters out of the courts is always preferred, we are highly trained/experienced in litigation and will fight for your interests at trial if further efforts at resolution are unsuccessful.

Personalization and communication are combined with a focus on best interests and family stability long-term. Our approach involves resolving issues wherever possible before trial, while ensuring you have the best legal representation going forward if a judge's decision is required.