Committed to helping you and your changing family circumstances.
Adoption
We regularly provide support to couples and individuals who are looking to strengthen their family through adoption. Choosing to adopt a child is a big step in your life, and you want it to go as smoothly as possible: we understand. We will keep you informed at every stage of the process, answering your questions in plain English. With extensive experience in this area of law, we can quickly and skillfully advocate for you throughout the process. We understand that every family dynamic is different, just as every adoption is different.
For that reason, we provide support through the following adoption processes:
- Agency Adoptions
- Private Adoptions
- Step/Second Parent Adoptions
Further, we provide support to children needing legal advice in cases of family adoption, as well as legal advice and services for those facing fertility challenges or hoping to use a surrogate.
For assistance with your family law enquiry, please contact Christopher Murphy-Stevens by email or 613.544.0211 ext. 8043.
Marriage Contracts and Cohabitation Agreements
Bringing a contract into a relationship can be a tough subject to address, especially when things are running smoothly. However, it presents significant value in securing your future. We understand that these matters are sensitive and will work with you through every step. These agreements most often address matters of future financial support and property. They include everything from contribution to household bills to division of significant family assets such as businesses, homes, or pensions upon separation. We will advise in the negotiation and implementation of Marriage Contracts and Cohabitation Agreements, while skillfully advocating for your best interests. Whether you are common-law, engaged, or looking to further secure your pre-existing marriage, we will support you in coming to a fair and reasonable agreement.
These agreements cover, but are not limited to:
- What happens with each party’s assets and debts if you separate or die
- How joint property will be divided if you separate or die
- What happens to a family business or one party’s business interests if you separate
- Who will pay for living expenses during the relationship
- Will either party be responsible for financially supporting the other in the event of a separation or death
- Mortgage/Rent Payments
- Assets and Debts
- Transportation-Related Expenses
- Responsibility for Pets
- Joint/Shared Property
- Property Acquired While Together
- Support Payments
For assistance with your family law enquiry, please contact Christopher Murphy-Stevens by email or 613.544.0211 ext. 8043.
Fertility Law
We have worked with intended parents, surrogates, and donors in every step of the surrogacy process. If you have made the choice to grow your family, or to support another’s growth, you need an attentive and skillful advocate to help you navigate the complexities of fertility law. We are experienced in the preparation of pre-conception Surrogacy Agreements for both the intended parent/s and the surrogate and are familiar with the Assisted Human Reproduction Act (AHR-A) and other relevant legislation. It would be our pleasure to advise you in these exciting times of growth.
For assistance with your family law enquiry, please contact Christopher Murphy-Stevens by email or 613.544.0211 ext. 8043.
Separation, Divorce, and Child Custody
When your family structure is changing, your life may feel increasingly unstable or out of control. You may be afraid for your relationship with your children or for your financial security. In times like these, you need a lawyer who is reliable, listens, and advocates for you every step of the way. These matters are often emotionally charged and can be difficult to navigate without the support of an experienced professional; we provide a strategic approach, recognizing that no two separations are the same. We take the time to listen to you, address your concerns, and determine the best course of action.
Whether your separation/divorce is amicable or growing in hostility, it is important that you consult with a lawyer to ensure your interests, livelihood, and family are protected. We offer resolutions through mediation and arbitration where possible and provide litigation support when needed. We regularly educate ourselves on new developments in family law to ensure you are receiving the most beneficial and efficient legal support.
Specifically, we can provide support in the following matters as they relate to your case:
- Parenting – Child Custody, Access to Children, and Parenting Plans
- Child and Spousal Support
- Division of Property and Family Assets/Debts
- Land
- Personal Property
- Bank Accounts, Savings, Investments
- Pensions
- Life and Disability Insurance
- Trusts
- Business interests
- Inheritances, gifts
- Representation of children in custody/access and child protection proceedings
- Advice related to income tax issues as it relates to your separation
- Restraining Orders
For assistance with your family law enquiry, please contact Christopher Murphy-Stevens by email or 613.544.0211 ext. 8043.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
When your relationship or marriage is coming to an end, you and your former partner may have worked very hard to remain civil with one another, trying to avoid a long drawn out legal battle. We have seen it all, and we understand your determination to resolve the matter amicably. We provide support in various routes that address the issues arising from your separation without going to Court.
These resolutions include:
- Early Neutral Evaluation
- Mediation
- Arbitration
- Mediation/Arbitration
- Collaborative Family Law
- Parenting Coordination
We have significant training in the preceding alternative dispute resolution techniques and are able to act as the third party neutral (Mediator, Arbitrator or Parenting Coordinator), overseeing the process. Further, we are able to act as your advocate during mediation, arbitration or hybrid mediation/arbitration.
For assistance with your family law enquiry, please contact Christopher Murphy-Stevens by email or 613.544.0211 ext. 8043.
Legal Coaching
Legal coaching is exactly what it sounds like – our Family Law Group coaches, supports, and guides you in your family law matter. You are someone who prefers self-representation, or otherwise does not want a traditional comprehensive retainer. Although you are fairly confident in your self-representation abilities, you also want to receive legal advice and services to increase your confidence and
knowledge. Coaching you to become more persuasive, confident, and knowledgeable is what our legal coaches will do.
With a legal coaching retainer, you decide when to use our services. Although you are capable of handling the day-to-day correspondence and administration of your file, you might want extra support at different times in your family law matter. Having a legal coach on your side provides you with the comfort and peace of mind that you have access to an experienced Family Law Group exactly when you need it.
Legal coaching generally falls into one or more of the four following categories:
Procedural Coaching – We can help explain court rules and procedures, and provide you with advice on how to best navigate the court system. This includes helping you to identify and fill-out court forms, stay on top of filing deadlines, and apply procedural rules to the particular facts of your case.
Court Coaching – Having a family law matter in Court means that you will have to attend conferences, and possibly motions or a trial. We can help you to prepare for these important Court dates by answering your questions about when you speak, what you should wear, what the judge’s expectations of you will be, and how to address and respond to arguments from the opposing party (or their lawyer). We can also help you prepare the best representation of your case by working with you to identify your goals and organize your arguments.
Resolution Coaching – Reaching a resolution in the form of a Court Order or signed agreement is the outcome you are working toward. We can help you prepare draft documents which contain your proposal for settlement, whether in the form of a draft Court Order, Offer to Settle, or Separation / Cohabitation / Parenting Agreement. We ask you the right questions to identify your priorities, and then provide you with the correct legal language to make sure your priorities are contained in your resolution.
Periodic Coaching – This category of coaching is flexible to suit your needs. As your legal coach we are here to provide you with the advice and services you need, when you need them. A non-exhaustive list of possible coaching opportunities includes:
– Developing a strategic file plan;
– Explaining general or specific areas of family law; and,
– Managing your expectations and emotions to set realistic goals.
For assistance with your family law enquiry, please contact Christopher Murphy-Stevens by email or 613.544.0211 ext. 8043.
Family Law Lawyers
Our Family Law team offers a wide range of legal services to help support businesses of all sizes.
