We are Family Lawyers practicing in Toronto. We are responsive, committed, and we do not cut corners. Our practice is built on offering practical solutions for divorce, parenting, and property division. Strategy drives everything we do.
First Things First
Family law issues touch every part of your life—your children, your home, your finances, and your future plans. At Unified LLP, our family lawyers and divorce lawyers combine clear legal advice with a pragmatic, compassionate approach so you can make decisions with confidence. As a Toronto-based family law firm, we regularly navigate the complexities of dividing businesses, real estate, and family property. Our lawyers are ready to explain your options if you’re facing separation, divorce, or child-related issues. Booking a free family law consultation is the first step, and we would welcome the opportunity to meet with you.
Our client-centric process typically includes:
- Free initial consultation – Understand your situation, priorities, and concerns.
- Setting goals and strategy – Aligning legal steps with your long-term personal and financial objectives.
- Preparing a Proposal – Putting on paper how you are prepared to settle the issues is the most effective way of narrowing the issues and moving your case forward.
- Attending a Settlement Meeting – After the proposal is ready, we focus on organizing a meeting with all parties to sign the agreement or negotiate a solution.
- Implement the Agreement – After we reach a settlement our firm helps you execute the Agreement.
Family Law Matters We Handle
Our family lawyers assist with a wide range of issues at the Ontario Court of Justice and the Toronto Superior Court of Justice:
- Separation and divorce
- Separation agreements and divorce proceedings
- Parenting time and decision-making responsibility
- Child custody and parenting plans
- Child and spousal support
- Property and asset division
- Matrimonial home and investment properties
- Pensions and deferred compensation
- Business and professional practice interests
- Grandparents’ contact and involvement
- Adoption and step-parent adoption
- Motions to change existing orders or agreements
- Interim and urgent motions for parenting or support
Your matter may be straightforward or highly complex — our goal is always to resolve it as efficiently and constructively as possible. If you need a family lawyer to guide you through separation or a divorce lawyer to represent you in court, our team is here to help.
Children and Separation: What They Feel and How to Support Them
Separation can be confusing and frightening for children, but the impact looks different at each stage of development. Understanding how infants, children, preteens, and teenagers experience change can help you respond in a way that keeps them feeling safe and supported.
Infants and toddlers (0–5)
Very young children don’t understand separation in an adult sense, but they are highly sensitive to changes in routine and parental stress. They may become more clingy, fussy, or unsettled. The most important thing you can provide is consistent, calm, day-to-day care—regular routines, predictable caregivers, and shielding them from conflict as much as possible.
Children (6–11)
School-aged children often know something is wrong but may not fully grasp why it is happening. They may worry that the separation is their fault or feel caught in the middle of disagreements. Clear, age-appropriate explanations and reassurance are key. Let them know they are not to blame, that both parents will remain involved in their life, and be specific about what will change—where they will live, when they will see each parent, and what will stay the same.
Preteens and teenagers (12–18)
Preteens and teens usually understand more about relationships and may have strong views about the separation. They might feel angry, sad, or disillusioned, and they may worry about how their life will change—school, friends, activities, and future plans. Giving them space to talk, involving them (appropriately) in decisions about schedules, and respecting their growing independence can go a long way. They need honest information, emotional support, and a sense that their voice matters.
Talking to your children about separation
Many parents struggle with what to say—and what not to say—when relationships change. Our family lawyers can help you think through:
- What your children may be feeling—grief, anger, loyalty conflicts, or guilt
- How to answer difficult questions such as “Is this my fault?”, “Where will I live?”, “Will both parents still see me?”
- How to manage adult conversations so children are not drawn into financial or legal disputes
- How to handle new partners and blended family dynamics
We can work alongside other professionals—such as therapists, parenting coordinators, or mediators—to help you build a child-focused plan that minimizes conflict and supports healthy relationships. You may also find it helpful to review the official Government of Canada guide, “Because life goes on… helping children and youth live with separation and divorce,” for additional tips and resources.
Finances, Property, and Your Future Security
A separation often requires partners to divide property, share information, and plan for financial independence. Getting the numbers right is essential to your long-term stability.
We help you understand and address:
- Matrimonial home – options for sale, transfer, buyout, or exclusive possession
- Bank accounts, investments, and savings
- Pensions and retirement plans
- Business and professional interests
- Equalization of net family property and the division of property and assets
- Short- and long-term financial planning and how different settlement options affect your future
Our role is to provide clear legal guidance so you can make informed choices about settlement, negotiation, or litigation.
Spousal and Child Support: Planning for Financial Stability
Spousal and child support are crucial tools for protecting your family’s financial security after separation. At Unified LLP, we help you build a forward-looking plan that considers:
- Your immediate needs – housing, basic expenses, and childcare
- Your children’s future – schooling, activities, and special needs
- Your retirement and long-term goals – ensuring today’s decisions do not undermine tomorrow’s stability
We can assist with:
- Determining whether spousal support is likely to be payable
- Estimating the amount and duration of spousal and child support
- Calculating child support, including special and extraordinary expenses
- Drafting or reviewing support terms in separation agreements or court orders
- Bringing or responding to motions to change support when circumstances shift
If you need guidance from a child support lawyer on how support is calculated or enforced, our family law team can explain your options and help you move forward.
Navigating Separation and Divorce: From Uncontested to Contested
Every family is different. Some couples can resolve matters cooperatively; others require more formal processes. Our family lawyers provide guidance through:
- Uncontested divorce – where major issues are already settled and you simply need to finalize the legal process
- Contested divorce – where there are disputes about parenting, support, or property that require negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or court
- Separation agreements – comprehensive written agreements covering parenting, support, and property issues
- Post-separation modifications – changing existing orders or agreements when life circumstances change
- Foreign divorce recognition – obtaining legal recognition of a foreign divorce in Canada when necessary for remarriage or legal clarity
Whether your matter is amicable or high-conflict, working with an experienced divorce lawyer helps keep the process focused, strategic, and aligned with your long-term goals.
Parenting Plans, Custody, and Child Support
Decisions about parenting time, decision-making responsibility, and support can be the most emotionally difficult part of any separation. Our family lawyers and child custody lawyers help you:
- Develop parenting schedules that reflect your child’s age, needs, and routine
- Clarify how major decisions (education, health, religion, activities) will be made
- Address travel, holidays, and time with extended family
- Understand and calculate child support, including special or extraordinary expenses
- Deal with changes in circumstances, such as relocation or new partners
- Bring or respond to motions to vary parenting or support arrangements
If you are dealing with child custody and parenting disputes, we focus on practical, child-centred solutions that minimize conflict and protect your children’s well-being. If your parenting dispute involves safety concerns, family violence, or coercive control, our lawyers can provide focused advice through our parenting and abuse services.
Marriage Contracts, Cohabitation Agreements, and Prenuptial Planning
Strong agreements can prevent costly disputes later. Our family lawyers draft and advise on:
- Cohabitation agreements – for partners who are living together but not yet married
- Marriage contracts / prenuptial agreements – for couples who want clarity about property and support if the relationship ends
- Post-nuptial agreements and standstill agreements – for couples who want to set or adjust terms after marriage or during reconciliation discussions
We ensure full financial disclosure and careful drafting so your agreement has the best chance of being upheld if it is ever challenged. For many clients, these agreements are part of a broader plan with their family law team to protect their future.
Resolving Family Disputes: Mediation, Arbitration, and Court
There is no single “right” way to resolve a family law dispute. We help you choose the process that aligns with your goals and situation, including:
- Negotiation – lawyer-assisted discussions, often leading to a separation agreement
- Mediation – working with a neutral third party to reach a voluntary agreement
- Arbitration – a private, binding decision by a neutral decision-maker
- Collaborative-style approaches – where everyone commits to resolving issues outside of court
- Family court proceedings – when urgent or high-conflict issues require judicial intervention
Our lawyers are comfortable in both settlement-focused and litigation settings and will tailor the strategy to your needs.
Why Choose Unified LLP for Family Law?
When you retain a family lawyer, you are placing immense trust in your legal team. We take that responsibility seriously. When you work with Unified LLP, you can expect:
- Experience with complex family matters – including high-conflict parenting disputes, business assets, and cross-border issues
- Clear, practical advice – we translate the law into plain language and outline the pros and cons of each option
- Responsive communication – keeping you informed and involved at every stage
- Strategic thinking – focusing on durable, realistic outcomes rather than “wins” that don’t make sense in the long term
- Compassion and respect – recognizing that family law involves some of life’s most personal and difficult decisions
You’ll work with a dedicated family law team that handles family cases every day and understands how to balance legal rights with real-world needs.
Looking for a Family Lawyer in Your Area?
Unified LLP offers dedicated family law services, with focused local pages for those who prefer to learn more about lawyers in their area:
- Family Lawyer Toronto
- Divorce Lawyer Toronto
- Spousal Support Lawyer Toronto
- Adoption Lawyer Toronto
- Family Lawyer Calgary
- Divorce Lawyer Calgary
You can contact us through any of these locations, or simply call 416.787.7678 to be connected with our family law team.
Family Law FAQs
A family lawyer or divorce lawyer advises on separation, divorce, parenting, support, and property division. They negotiate on your behalf, draft agreements, and represent you in mediation, arbitration, or court.
It is wise to speak with a family lawyer as soon as you are considering separation, have been served with court documents, or are asked to sign an agreement. Early advice can help you avoid mistakes and protect your rights.
Bring any existing agreements or court orders, recent financial information (income, assets, and debts), and any relevant correspondence. If there are children, a brief outline of their schedule, schooling, and special needs is also helpful.
Timelines vary widely depending on complexity, level of conflict, and the process chosen. Some matters resolve within a few months through negotiation; others take longer, particularly if court proceedings are required.
You have the right to represent yourself, but family law can be complex and emotionally charged. Consulting a family lawyer—even for limited-scope advice—can help you understand your options and the potential consequences of your decisions.
Even in amicable situations, it’s important to ensure that agreements are clear, complete, and enforceable. A family lawyer can help you document your settlement properly and flag any issues you may not have considered.
Yes. We advise on entitlement, amount, and duration of child and spousal support, and we assist with drafting agreements, negotiating changes, and bringing or defending court motions. If you are unsure whether you need a child support lawyer for your situation, we can explain your options during an initial consultation.
Look for someone who is knowledgeable, honest about likely outcomes, responsive to your questions, and committed to practical solutions—not just “winning” at all costs. You should feel heard and respected.
Courts in Toronto, Ontario (and surrounding regions) tend to be busier than in many smaller cities in the province — and that can meaningfully affect how long separation or family-law matters take. But it really depends a lot on complexity, cooperation, and how things are managed.
