Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Right Family Lawyer in Ontario

Lawyer in Ontario

  • The type of Law office you hire ultimately determines what type of family lawyer handles your matter.

  • Another avenue to find a family lawyer near you is to check your provincial or local bar association.

  • Due to several factors hiring a family lawyer for your divorce can often be a tricky endeavour.

  • The various types of family lawyers and their pros and cons.

A Family Lawyer can be a lot of things to your family

A Family Lawyer can be a lot of things to your family. Their roles in the family go way beyond divorce proceedings. Though oftentimes, a family lawyer is used interchangeably with a divorce lawyer. Some of the duties are quite essential that the search for a family lawyer near me is a constant search term.

You would need a family lawyer for any of the following and more –

  • Child adoption and child custody
  • Marriage and Divorce
  • Legal advice
  • Paternity issues
  • Estate/property management
  • Court representation
  • Safekeeping of records and documents

Obviously, in diverse areas of our family lives, you see there is a great need for a family lawyer at our disposal.

How do I find a Good Family Lawyer near me?

  • After realizing you need a family lawyer, how do you locate a good one near you? Basically, your first port of call would be your friends and relatives. Some of them must have family lawyers or even other types of lawyers. Your friends or their lawyers can recommend a good divorce lawyer for you.
  • Another avenue to find a family lawyer near you is to check your state or local bar association. They would have a directory that can help you find a family lawyer near you.
  • Now, how can we discuss finding a lawyer near me without talking about the internet? Simply type in family lawyer near me or divorce lawyer near me and you will have loads of choices.
  • oftentimes, you can search the internet for local directories or public interest websites.

The search is entirely about the right family lawyer

Make a list of the lawyers you have gathered from the various sources.  You can take the research further by digging for more information on these lawyers online. The social media and the internet reviews and news stories will yield some vital results.

Call up a few of the best lawyers on your list. Find out the basics about these family lawyers. This will guide you to further narrow down the list.

Then, visit the offices of the top lawyers on your list. But before you make that important visit, have a note of vital questions you must ask the lawyer. Some of the questions to ask them should bother on legal fees, how they charge, the amount, payment plans, past successes and experiences with cases related to yours.

Rethinking “Lawyering Up”

10 Reasons to Seek Mediation and Financial Guidance First in Divorce

In the throes of a divorce or separation, it’s tempting to seek legal advice immediately – after all, isn’t that what we’re taught to do? However, while legal guidance is crucial, it isn’t necessarily the best first step. Separation and divorce proceedings are about 90% about finances and children rather than purely legal matters. Today, let’s debunk this misconception and explore why it might be better to collaborate with a mediator and CDFA before reaching out to a lawyer.

Timing is Everything

Like in life, timing is everything when it comes to hiring a divorce lawyer. Knowing when to seek legal counsel during a divorce or separation is crucial to achieving the best possible outcome. Here are some key considerations to determine the right time to hire a divorce lawyer:

  • Control the Process: Working with a mediator and CDFA, you and your spouse maintain control over the process, making decisions collaboratively instead of dictating them by attorneys or the court.

  • Financial Clarity: A CDFA brings financial expertise to your case, helping you understand financial decisions’ short- and long-term implications.

  • Comprehensive Disclosure: These professionals guide you in gathering necessary disclosure documents, ensuring no financial stones are left unturned before consulting a lawyer.

  • Focused Negotiations: Mediators help parties stay focused on their real intentions and the main issues, preventing distractions from the path of resolution.

  • Cost-Effective: Mediation and financial analysis can often be more cost-effective than immediately “lawyering up” while offering comprehensive guidance.

  • Reduced Animosity: Opting for mediation first may reduce the antagonism between parties. The traditional “lawyering up” approach can create an adversarial atmosphere that fuels hostility.

  • Holistic Approach: Mediators and CDFAs consider monetary and non-monetary aspects, such as children’s welfare, providing a more holistic view of your situation.

  • Informed Legal Decisions: A solid understanding of your finances and intentions empowers you to make more informed decisions when seeking legal advice.

  • Protection of Rights: The modern family law system ensures your rights are protected – consulting a mediator or CDFA first doesn’t negate this protection.

  • Better for Children: Focusing on finances and children first helps create a more stable environment during this transition, which is often better for children.

Remember, the goal is to make your divorce or separation as smooth as possible for all involved. Therefore, starting with a mediator and CDFA might not be the traditional route. Still, it could be right for you, providing clarity, control, and a comprehensive view of your situation before you step into a lawyer’s office. As always, every situation is unique, so consider your options carefully and seek the best approach for your family.

Law Office – Finding the Right Law Office for your divorce

family lawyer office Toronto

If you have recently made the difficult decision to pursue a divorce, you’re likely to face another difficult decision soon – finding a lawyer. Hiring a law office or lawyer for your divorce can often be a tricky endeavour due to several factors. 

For one, your lawyer’s abilities and competence will, without doubt, play a large role in how the process turns out for you and the results you get. Apart from this, their involvement and how they guide you through the process can also determine if you will look back and take positives from the experience or if the whole thing turns out forgettable. 

Choosing the right law office to represent you can be pivotal for your divorce and this is why you should make the best choice right from the start. But how do you know what law office or lawyer is best for you? 

In this article, I will explain the various types of law offices, their pros and cons, and how to make a decision on the best for you. If you would like a more detailed read on how best to hire a lawyer for your divorce, this more comprehensive guide is just right for you.

Types of Law Offices

There are different types of law firms in Ontario, ranging from solo lawyers to large multi-national firms. These law offices serve a wide range of clientele and are often established for very different purposes and to meet the needs of specific kinds of clients. The types of law firms in Ontario include the following:

Solo Law Offices

law office A solo law office is a law office run by a single lawyer. This lawyer handles all the matters brought to the firm, usually with a couple or more support staff. Solo lawyers generally practice in two or more areas of law such as divorce and criminal matters. However, some do focus on a particular area.

Pros 

  • They are usually less expensive compared to other types of Law offices
  • You have direct and easy contact with your lawyer.
  • Your divorce would be given personal attention as the lawyer is definitely handling it himself.
  • There is a higher chance of your matter being accepted as the lawyer does not need to seek the consent of a senior lawyer or partner before he can accept to take up your divorce.

Cons

  • Solo lawyers are can often be relatively inexperienced. This is because lawyers rarely work solo, they mostly only do so when they’re just a few years at the bar. 
  • Limitation to legal resources, library, and facilities.
  • Solo lawyers may be unable to cater to clients whose work demands long term commitment or diverse legal skills

Boutique Law Offices

Boutique law offices are typically small law firms with a few lawyers who offer services in a highly specialized area of law. Nevertheless, Boutique law firms being small is not a defining feature. Instead, it is their focus on a narrow area of law that defines them. 

Pros

  • One-on-one approach of the lawyers which is similar to that of a Solo law office due to its small size.
  • They are also willing to take up smaller matters which larger firms would not
  • Lawyers within the firm share knowledge, which increases the likelihood of the success of your case.
  • Relatively less expensive compared to bigger firms

Cons

  • They have mid-range facilities, compared to bigger law offices
  • They are highly specialized, which means you have to search thoroughly to find those that fit your matter. 

Working in Association

In this arrangement, lawyers work together or collaboratively without forming a partnership. In this way, they create an outside impression of being a big law firm, but they work individually. Although, they may share information and clients.

Pros

  • Access to better resources since the lawyers are able to share libraries and facilities. 
  • Professional relationship with other lawyers.
  • There’s a good mix of experienced lawyers to choose from

Cons

  • Clients will not usually know it’s an association.
  • Essentially, it may still turn out like hiring a solo lawyer

Law Firm Partnerships

Partnerships are one of the more common types of law offices, alongside solo law offices. In this arrangement, lawyers agree to go into joint ownership and management of a law office. You can usually recognize a partnership by its name. Most would have two to three names, for instance – Matty, Michael and Shane. 

Pros

  • They have a whole lot of resources and network
  • Access to very experienced lawyers
  • Each lawyer in the firm specializes in a unique area

Cons

  • They are typically more expensive to hire than solo law offices

Large Multi-Location National and International

International Law Office - Divorce Also called “full-service” firms, these law offices have tens to hundreds of lawyers and employees. Usually, they have offices in states, cities and even several countries. They also specialize in different areas of law, with experienced lawyers who are equipped in such areas.

Pros

  • The lawyers specialize in varying areas of law
  • Typically, more lawyers can work on your divorce
  • They have the financial means to hasten the settlement of your claim.
  • Usually have a massive reputation

Cons

  • Often quite expensive to hire
  • There is a less direct approach to your matter as the lawyer you first met for your consultation might not be the one to handle your divorce.
  • You might not have direct and easy access to your lawyer

What type of Law Office is best for you?

Choosing which of these law offices should represent you will depend on several factors, such as your location, the legal issue, your finances and preferences. 

  • Service: First consider if they specialize in a practice area that your matter borders on. If you want a divorce, it makes little sense to hire a boutique commercial law firm. You also don’t necessarily want a law office that does every little thing, their resources may be too stretched to properly accommodate your divorce. 
  • Experience: A law office with experienced lawyers is more likely to help you get the results you require. These lawyers will not miss the small details important in a divorce claim. 
  • Specialization: lawyers that have specialized in one area for years become very competent in that area. If you are looking for a divorce lawyer, it will often be best to approach a boutique law office or partnership that specializes in divorce.
  • Skill: Most lawyers are very competent at what they do, having learned their trade for several years. But some have more skill than others, and this will show in their reputation. Sometimes, this skill will be very important for your case. 
  • Finance: This may be your most important consideration. A tight budget might rule out the bigger partnerships and full-service law offices. This doesn’t mean you cannot find quality legal representation at those smaller offices though. 
  • Availability: In a divorce lawsuit, it is crucial that you be able to contact your lawyer whenever you need them. This can often rule out solo law offices and the bigger law firms as you may lose that personal touch in their services. 
  • Location: Generally, you may be restricted to hiring law offices around where you live or work. Depending on where this is, such as the suburbs, you may only have access to solo offices or small partnerships. 

Checklist of tips and points to note

Finding the right lawyer is essential to your divorce. The type of Law office you hire ultimately determines what type of lawyer handles your matter. Therefore, it is important to keep your desired results and traits in mind and select a law office that matches those traits and can produce your desired results. 

Access this resource for a more comprehensive guide on what to consider when hiring a lawyer and a checklist of tips and points to note.

Conclusion

As Ken S. Maynard, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) and mediator, I understand the intricacies of divorce and the importance of finding the right family lawyer in Ontario. My mission is to assist intelligent and successful couples create clear, comprehensive separation agreements that ensure secure futures. I strive to accomplish this in four or fewer meetings, avoiding the conflicts, confusion, and costs typically associated with traditional lawyer-led divorces.

Whether you prefer to work with me via video conference or in person at one of our six DTSW Greater Toronto mediation centers, I am here to provide the guidance and support you need during this challenging time. I offer services in various locations, including Aurora, Barrie, North York, Vaughan, Mississauga, and Scarborough.

In conclusion, navigating the complexities of divorce requires legal expertise and a compassionate guide who can lead you toward the best possible outcome. As a CDFA and mediator, I am committed to providing a collaborative and less adversarial approach to divorce, fostering better results and a smoother transition into your post-divorce life.

If you have any questions or want to learn more about how I can assist you, I invite you to schedule a Get Acquainted Call with me. So let’s start the conversation about your future today

Would you like to learn more? Get in touch for a Get Acquainted Call

Articles that may interest You!

Finding a Family Lawyer: Ultimate Guide with Top Tips

Choose wisely based on the information you get, your assessment and of course, gut feeling. When meeting with your lawyer, make sure you go with all the vital documents pertinent to the success of your case.

We realize there is still so much you need to learn about finding a divorce lawyer near you. To this end, download this Ebook for greater insight on finding a family lawyer.

The ebook, Expert secrets to finding a divorce lawyer discusses in greater detail how to find the best divorce lawyers, things to do during interviews with your chosen family lawyer, and many more tips to answer your question on choosing the best divorce lawyer near you.

Family lawyer
About the Author:
Ken Maynard CDFA, Acc.FM

I assist intelligent and successful couples in crafting rapid, custom separation agreements that pave the way for a smooth transition towards a secure future. This efficient process is achieved in about four meetings, effectively sidestepping the excessive conflicts, confusion, and costs commonly linked to legal proceedings. Clients have the flexibility to collaborate with me either via video conference or in-person through a DTSW associate at any of our six Greater Toronto mediation centers, located in Aurora, Barrie, North York, Vaughan, Mississauga, and Scarborough.

Have a few questions -  Tap here to Schedule a Get Acquainted Call

 

 

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