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"Lerners listened to me and understood my situation. I completely trust and rely on them"
Getting married or divorced? Life events such as marriage, childbirth and divorce are emotional times. When families come together or break apart, feelings run high. The law is there to protect you, but it can be confusing when you're facing issues like this for the first time and feeling very vulnerable. That's why it's so important to have sound legal advice from someone who's helped many people in your situation—someone who can think ahead and see what's coming if certain actions aren't taken. Experts in the changing landscape of family law |
View Our Family Law Lawyers |
At Lerners, you get the full depth of knowledge of our Family Law Group, plus the valuable expertise of our colleagues in other practice areas, such as Estate Planning and Business Law, should their specialized knowledge be required.
We aim for a prompt, fair resolution. Whenever possible, we will negotiate to achieve that result for you. However, if negotiation proves unsuccessful, our family lawyers are seasoned trial counsel and will have no hesitation in going to court on your behalf.
Skilled legal counsel in all important life transitions
At Lerners, we've seen hundreds of families through many different life changes. We have written marriage contracts, negotiated separation agreements, finalized divorces, negotiated property division, fought custody battles, and dealt with support orders. For more information on any of these areas, click on the links or scroll down.
Child Custody
Nothing is as traumatic as the division of a family. We help our clients through this difficult time, spelling out their options, making them aware of resources such as counsellors, and advocating for solutions to help parents and children preserve their family bonds in the face of domestic breakup.
Property Division
Property division on marriage breakdown involves a detailed examination of what property the spouses own, the extent to which the spouses each contributed to the acquisition of that property, and the value of the property.
Often, couples own much more than the family home and a vehicle. They may own farm property, interests in privately held corporations or vacation homes outside Canada. The Family Law team at Lerners frequently represents clients on issues such as these, where the property involved ranges from straightforward to highly complex. Where needed, we consult our colleagues inside the firm on particular legal points such as corporate ownership issues. We also work regularly with other experts, such as appraisers and accountants, to make sure we secure the best outcome for our clients.
Divorce
Since fault in marriage breakdown, such as cruelty or adultery, is now rarely used as the basis for getting a divorce, divorces have become much more straightforward. The resolution of issues such as property division and support are usually the thornier problems to address when a marriage falters. Once these matters are resolved, however, we help our clients go through the final steps of divorce to bring their marriage to a formal end.
Separation Agreements
When a couple first separates, they need to sort out some issues immediately, at least on a temporary basis. Who will live in the home? Where will the children live? If the separation will be permanent, decisions have to be made about matters such as custody, child support and property division.
We can help you address these matters through negotiation and drafting of a separation agreement—either to take care of urgent issues on an interim basis, or to resolve, in a final and comprehensive agreement, all of the questions that arise when a relationship breaks down.
Marriage Contracts
When you're planning a wedding, usually the last thing on your mind is how to protect your legal rights. Sadly, about 50% of marriages now end in divorce, so it's important to take this life step realistically. Marriage contracts can remove anxiety about how financial matters would be resolved should the marriage break down, and can establish a well-planned legal foundation for a relationship.
Support Orders
Being able to support oneself and provide for one's family is fundamental to a sense of personal security. We've helped parents in need to obtain support for their children and themselves. We've obtained lower support payments for clients in reduced circumstances.
Court/Mediation/Arbitration
Sometimes a ruling or rulings from a third party are necessary to bring matters to a close. Our family law lawyers are prepared to assist clients in court, on mediations, or at arbitrations to ensure their case is fully and clearly aired, and the flaws and weaknesses in the other party's case are fully exposed. William R. Clayton has 35 years of trial experience and is held in high regard by colleagues and judges as an advocate who knows what he is doing in a courtroom.
