Family Lawyer in Oshawa, Ontario

Family lawyers for Oshawa

Oshawa is home to the Durham Region Courthouse, where family cases from across the region are heard. Our lawyers appear there regularly, and Oshawa clients can meet us at our Ajax office, about 20 minutes west on Highway 401, or by video.

We act for Oshawa clients from every part of the city, from downtown and the neighbourhoods around Simcoe Street to Windfields, Kedron and the newer communities north of Taunton Road. Some of our Oshawa files are negotiated separations; others need a quick court step to protect children, stop a sale of property or get support flowing.

Family law services for Oshawa clients

• Separation and divorce, including separation agreements and uncontested divorces
• Parenting time and decision-making responsibility and parenting plans
• Child and spousal support, including section 7 expenses
• Property division, equalization of net family property and the matrimonial home
• Motions to change existing orders and agreements
• Cohabitation and marriage contracts, and independent legal advice on agreements
• Muslim family law, including mahr and religious divorce

Urgent motions at the Oshawa courthouse

Most family cases must go through a case conference before any motion is heard. A judge can allow an urgent motion before the case conference when there is a real risk of harm, such as a child being removed from the province, family violence, or a spouse about to sell or remortgage the home or move money out of reach.

Urgent motions need strong, focused affidavit evidence prepared quickly. We prepare and file the materials and argue the motion at the Durham Region Courthouse, then move the rest of the case forward once immediate risks are addressed.

Where Oshawa family cases are heard

Family cases for Oshawa residents are heard at the Superior Court of Justice, Family Court (a Unified Family Court site) at the Durham Region Courthouse, 150 Bond Street East, Oshawa. This one court hears divorce, parenting, support, property and child protection matters. The Durham Region Courthouse is in downtown Oshawa, at 150 Bond Street East.

Before most first court dates, both parties must attend a Mandatory Information Program session. The first court event is usually a case conference, where a judge helps identify the issues, encourages settlement and makes procedural orders. We prepare your financial statement, conference brief and disclosure so that the conference achieves something.

Changing an existing order

If you already have a family court order or a separation agreement and circumstances have changed, such as a job loss, a significant income increase, a child moving between homes or a child finishing school, the order or agreement may need to change. Motions to change for Oshawa residents are started at the Durham Region Courthouse. See our guide to changing a family order.

Family law deadlines to know

• 6 years after separation, or 2 years after a divorce, whichever comes first, to claim an equalization of net family property (Family Law Act, s. 7(3)).
• 30 days to serve and file an Answer after being served with a family Application in Ontario.
• 60 days' written notice before a relocation that significantly affects a child's relationship with the other parent.

Exceptions apply. Speak with a lawyer about the deadlines in your case.

Legal Aid certificates for Oshawa families

We accept Legal Aid Ontario certificates for eligible family law matters. If you have a certificate or think you may qualify, contact us and we will confirm whether we can take your file. Read our guide to Legal Aid for family law. We are a private firm and are not affiliated with Legal Aid Ontario.

How to get started

1. Call, WhatsApp or use the consultation form with a short description of your matter.
2. We run a conflict check before discussing details.
3. We book a consultation with a lawyer, in person in Ajax or by video.
4. If you proceed, you receive a written retainer or contingency agreement before work begins.
5. We send a document checklist and confirm next steps and deadlines.