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Family Court
Family Court can feel overwhelming, and our dedicated team is here to guide you and protect your rights every step of the way.
Whether it’s a happy occasion like an adoption or a more difficult occasion like a divorce, a visit to Family Court can come with stress and uncertainty.
At Galbraith Family Law, we work hard to remove that stress and uncertainty for our clients. We help protect your – and your children’s – rights.
What is family court?
Family Court refers to a wide range of domestic and family-related legal matters that often include divorce and resulting issues related to divorce – like separation agreements, parenting agreements, child custody or parenting time, spousal support, child support, division of property and more.
Family Court can also deal with agreements before marriage, like pre- and post-marital agreements. It also deals with the most common form of adoptions, step-parent adoptions.
When we represent you in Family Court, our lawyers work tirelessly to ensure you get the best possible outcome for your case. We understand that family law issues can affect the rest of your life. For that reason, we will stand by your side and fight for you with integrity and honesty.
Our years of experience with the family law court system works to your benefit. Our team can help you through many complex family law issues thanks to the knowledge and experience we have accumulated.
Common issues settled in family court
1
Child Support
Amounts can depend on the income, the number of children, and how much time they spend with each parent. The court will also consider special circumstances and may deviate from the written guidelines.
If you have a special situation, our lawyer can work on your behalf to influence changes within the written child support guidelines.
2
Parenting Arrangements
Basically, until there is a written agreement or court order in place, both parents share equal parenting time with their child(ren).
It’s important, if you feel your parenting time may be contested, to get a legal agreement or order as soon as possible. At this time, we can break down and simplify the process for you.
This allows you to get an agreement or order as fast as possible.
Of course, the law gives no preference to either parent – the best interests of the child guide decisions. To determine the best environment for the child, the court may consider testimony from witnesses like child psychologists, family members, teachers, and evaluators.
3
Division of Property
As with many things in divorce, the division of property depends on a number of factors, including whether the split is amicable or contested.
In cases where the divorce is amicable, the division of property can often be done outside of the courtroom, with the partners and their lawyers coming to an agreement that is welcomed by both sides.
In contested divorces, the division of property can be a much lengthier and more complex process. Whatever happens, it is good to have knowledgeable experts, like our family law lawyers, on your side looking after your best interests.
4
Spousal Support
Usually, the spouse with a lower income will request to be granted spousal support by the court. Whether you are requesting spousal support or being asked to pay spousal support, this is where the help of a knowledgeable lawyer can pay dividends.
Our experts can help guide you. They will simplify the process and ensure that you take the steps that will best serve your interests.
5
Adoptions
Our lawyers will ensure that the proper paperwork is filled out and filed. We will help you navigate through the process from initial filing to finalization of the adoption. We will also explain the specific laws to you.
6
Parenting Agreements
The agreement can be as detailed or as simple as you and the other parent would like it to be. Basic information that is typically included in the agreement includes parenting time and visitation schedule, along with alternating holidays if that is being done, financial responsibilities other than child support, transportation, medical decisions, educational decisions, and any other life decisions that one or both of the parents deem important.
If you and the co-parent have conflicts over parts of the agreement or you just want to make sure everything is spelled out correctly, a skilled lawyer from Galbraith Family Law can help.
Helpful, honest advice—even without a long-term commitment
Charles was excellent. He answered my questions and understood what I was looking for. Even without a guarantee of retaining long-term services, he explained what I could do to minimize my expenses and make the most cost-effective use of his knowledge and experience.
Remi Welch
Questions?
Contact us
At Galbraith Family Law, we have years of experience helping individuals and families navigate complex legal matters with clarity and support. Whether you're facing divorce, separation, or other family issues, our experienced team is here to guide you.
We proudly serve clients in Barrie, Newmarket, Oakville, and St. Catharines, Ontario.
