Family Lawyer in Durham Region & the GTA

What we help with

• Separation and divorce, including uncontested and joint divorce applications
• Parenting time and decision-making responsibility (formerly custody and access)
• Child support under the Federal Child Support Guidelines, including section 7 expenses
• Spousal support entitlement, amount and duration
• Division of property and equalization of net family property
• The matrimonial home
• Separation agreements, marriage contracts and cohabitation agreements
• Motions to change existing orders
• Muslim family law matters, including mahr and religious divorce

We are pleased to accept Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) certificates for eligible family law matters. If you have already been issued a certificate, contact us to get started.

Family lawyer by city

Family lawyer in Ajax · Family lawyer in Pickering · Family lawyer in Whitby · Family lawyer in Oshawa · All GTA and Ontario cities

How a family law matter works in Ontario

Most matters begin with financial disclosure: each spouse sets out their income, assets and debts. From there, issues are resolved through negotiation, mediation or a court process under the Family Law Rules, which includes case conferences, settlement conferences and, if needed, a trial.

Married spouses claiming an equalization of net family property generally must start within six years of separation or two years of a divorce, whichever comes first. Get advice early so you do not lose rights.

Married and common-law couples

Ontario treats married and common-law partners differently, especially for property. Common-law partners do not have an automatic right to equalization, but may still have claims for support and for a share of property they helped acquire. We explain where you stand before you make decisions.

Where to start

Most clients come to us at one of three points: just after separating, when an agreement needs to be signed, or when a court case has started or an order needs to change. If you have just separated, focus first on parenting arrangements, temporary support and keeping financial records. Our guides on separation agreements and divorce, parenting time and decision-making and child and spousal support explain each step.

How we work with you

1. A consultation to understand your family, your goals and any urgent issues, such as safety or access to funds.
2. A written fee estimate, or confirmation of your Legal Aid Ontario certificate.
3. Financial disclosure and a clear list of the documents we need from you.
4. Negotiation, mediation or a court application, chosen to fit your situation and budget.
5. A signed agreement or court order, and help enforcing or changing it later.

Family lawyers in Ajax

SLG Lawyers is a family law firm in Ajax, at 362 Kingston Road West, Unit 5. Clients from Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa and Clarington meet us in person, and clients elsewhere in Ontario can work with us by video. We help with separation agreements, divorce, parenting time and decision-making, child and spousal support, the matrimonial home and property division, and changes to existing orders.

Because Ajax families usually go to court in Oshawa, we know the local process: the mandatory information program, first case conferences, settlement conferences and the documents the court expects at each step. Many family matters settle through negotiation or mediation, but we prepare every case so you are ready if court is needed.

We also accept Legal Aid Ontario certificates for eligible family matters. See Legal Aid family lawyer in Ajax.

Family court in Durham Region

Family cases for Durham Region residents are generally heard at the Durham Region Courthouse in Oshawa, which houses the Unified Family Court. Outside Durham, we act where the court permits virtual appearances for the step involved, after reviewing your case. See areas we serve, or read our guide to family court in Durham Region. Experiencing abuse? Read about the new tort of intimate partner violence.

Have a Legal Aid certificate?

SLG Lawyers accepts Legal Aid Ontario certificates for eligible family law matters. Visit our dedicated family law site, ontariolegalaid.ca, to get started in under a minute.

Read our Legal Aid guide

Legal Aid for family law in Ontario: who qualifies and how to apply, including income limits and free help at court.

Family law intake

Our family intake form takes about two minutes. It asks about the main issue, children, any court case and the other party's name so we can run a conflict check before we call you. Legal Aid certificates are accepted for eligible matters.