Why Clients Choose Unified LLP in Toronto
Full-Service Family Law
Uncontested divorces, contested proceedings, separation agreements, property disputes, support, and parenting all under one roof.
One Lawyer, Your Case
You work directly with your lawyer throughout. No handoffs. No confusion about who is handling your matter.
Clear, Plain-Language Advice
We explain what is happening in simple terms. You will always understand where your case stands.
Free 30-Min Consultation
Talk to a lawyer before committing to anything. Understand your rights and options at no cost.
Toronto & Ontario-Wide
Our offices are in Toronto. We serve clients across the GTA, Kitchener, and throughout Ontario.
Transparent Pricing
Flat-fee options for straightforward matters. Clear estimates for complex cases. No billing surprises.
Getting Divorced
Types & Process
Divorce Lawyer Toronto: Your Starting Point
If you are navigating separation or divorce in Ontario, this is where to begin. Our main Toronto divorce lawyer page explains how Ontario’s Divorce Act works, what a divorce lawyer actually does, and what the full process looks like from start to finish.
It covers the difference between separation and divorce, the range of services available, how long divorce takes, what it costs, and what happens to the family home. It also answers whether you need a lawyer at all — and what the risks are of going without one.
Every other page on this site links back to this hub. It is the foundation of your understanding.
Learn MoreUncontested Divorce Toronto: Fast, Flat-Fee, and Straightforward
An uncontested divorce is the simplest way to end a marriage in Ontario. You are not asking the court to decide anything, just to formally dissolve the marriage. There are no disputes, no courtroom appearances, and in most cases, no surprises.
Most uncontested divorces are resolved within 3 to 5 months. We offer flat-fee pricing, handle all the paperwork and court filings, and can manage the entire process remotely. This page walks through every step from filing Form 8A to obtaining your Certificate of Divorce and answers the most common questions, including what to do if you cannot find your spouse.
Learn MoreContested Divorce Lawyer Toronto: When You Cannot Agree
When property, support, or parenting is in dispute, the divorce becomes contested. These cases are more complex, take longer, and require strong legal representation throughout. The decisions made in the early stages shape the entire proceeding.
This page explains the seven stages of a contested Ontario divorce from application to trial and why financial disclosure matters so much. It addresses the most common fear: Do you have to go to trial? (Most cases do not.) And it explains how we approach contested cases at Unified LLP negotiation first, trial-ready always.
Learn MoreGrounds for Divorce in Ontario: The Legal Requirements
To get a divorce in Ontario, your marriage must have legally broken down. There are three recognised grounds under Canada’s Divorce Act: separation for one year (the most common), adultery, and physical or mental cruelty. The one-year separation ground is no-fault, no one is blamed, and nothing needs to be proven.
This page explains each ground clearly, includes a side-by-side comparison table, and answers the question of whether you can be separated while still sharing a home. It also covers what happens if a court finds grounds to refuse the divorce and why that is rare in genuine applications.
Learn MoreCost & Alternatives To Court
How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Ontario?
This is the question everyone asks first, and it deserves a direct answer. An uncontested divorce typically costs a flat fee of $1,500–$3,500 for legal services, plus approximately ~$669 in court filing fees. A contested divorce ranges from $7,000–$25,000+
(+ motions), Depending on the conflict and complexity.
This page breaks down costs by divorce type in a clear table, explains flat-fee versus hourly billing, and offers practical advice on reducing your costs. We believe in transparent pricing. You will know what to expect before we start.
Learn MoreDivorce Mediation Ontario: Resolve It Without a Courtroom
Mediation is one of the most effective tools in family law and one of the most underused. A neutral mediator helps you and your spouse reach an agreement on property, support, and parenting in a private, structured setting. You keep control of the outcome. Most mediated matters resolve in weeks or months, not years.
This page explains how mediation works in Ontario, the seven-step process, what issues can be resolved through mediation, and how it compares to court on cost, speed, and privacy. It also addresses whether mediation is appropriate for your specific situation; not every case is suited to it, and we advise honestly.
Learn MoreYour Children: Parenting & Support
Child Custody Lawyer Toronto: Parenting After Separation
When parents separate, decisions about children become the most important legal matter. Ontario updated its family law language in 2021, ‘custody’ is now ‘decision-making responsibility’ and ‘access’ is now ‘parenting time.’ Our lawyers apply the current law throughout your case.
This page explains both concepts, describes the full range of parenting arrangements from joint decision-making to equal parenting time to long-distance plans, and explains what a comprehensive parenting plan should cover. It also addresses what happens when parenting becomes disputed and how the Office of the Children’s Lawyer may become involved.
Learn MoreChild Support Lawyer Toronto: Your Children’s Financial Rights
Child support is not discretionary. It is a legal right that belongs to your children. In Ontario, it is calculated using the Federal Child Support Guidelines based on the paying parent’s gross income and the number of children. Section 7 special expenses, childcare, medical costs, extracurriculars, and post-secondary education — are shared proportionally on top.
This page covers how support is calculated, what happens when a parent hides or underreports income, how self-employment and business income are assessed, and how the Family Responsibility Office enforces unpaid support. It also explains when and how support can be varied.
Learn MoreMoney & Property: Support & Equalization
Spousal Support Lawyer Toronto: Fair Outcomes for Both Spouses
Spousal support is not guaranteed. It depends on whether legal grounds exist – economic disadvantage arising from the marriage, significant financial need and the other spouse’s ability to pay, or a contractual obligation. Our lawyers assess entitlement honestly for both payors and recipients.
This page explains all three grounds, how the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (SSAG) calculate the range of amounts and duration, the difference between short-term and long-term support, and what happens when circumstances change. It also covers spousal support for common-law partners and the tax implications of different structures.
Learn MoreProperty Division & Equalization Toronto: What You Are Owed
Property division in Ontario is not a 50/50 split of every asset. The law uses equalization of net family property. Each spouse’s net worth growth during the marriage is calculated. The spouse whose wealth has grown more makes an equalization payment to bring both parties to equal financial positions.
This page explains how net family property is calculated, what exclusions and deductions apply, and why the matrimonial home is treated differently from every other asset. It also covers complex situations, business valuations, pension division, multiple properties, and hidden assets and explains the options when you cannot agree.
Learn MoreSeparation Agreements Toronto: Your Legal Foundation for What Comes Next
A separation agreement is the single most important document in most family law matters. It is a private, legally binding contract that resolves property, support, parenting, and debt in one place. When properly drafted, it provides certainty, reduces conflict, and can be enforced by a court.
This page covers what a comprehensive agreement must include, why signing without independent legal advice is risky and how courts can set agreements aside, why common-law couples especially need one, and what your options are if you want to change the terms later. We draft agreements and provide independent legal advice on agreements negotiated elsewhere.
Learn MoreWhen Life Changes & Special Situations
Motion to Change: When Your Divorce Orders No Longer Fit
Divorce orders and separation agreements reflect your circumstances at the time they were made. Life changes. When there has been a significant, material change in circumstances a job loss, a major income change, a child’s changing needs, or one parent wishing to relocate Ontario law allows you to apply to vary your orders.
This page explains the material change threshold courts apply, which orders can be varied (child support, spousal support, parenting time, decision-making), and when consent variation versus a formal court motion is the right path. It also covers Ontario’s 2021 child relocation rules, including the mandatory 60-day written notice requirement.
Learn MoreHigh Net Worth Divorce Toronto: Complex Assets Need the Right Expertise
When a marriage involves a private business, executive compensation, a pension plan, multiple properties, or international assets, the legal and financial complexity multiplies. High net worth divorces require a legal team with the experience to manage business valuations, work with forensic accountants, divide pension plans correctly, and protect your privacy through the entire process.
This page explains what makes high net worth cases different, how business interests are valued, how defined benefit pensions like OMERS and OTPP are divided, when forensic accounting is needed, and why mediation is particularly effective at the high net worth level — offering privacy, speed, and creative solutions that the court cannot provide.
Learn MoreCommon-Law Separation Ontario: Your Rights Are Different From What Most People Expect
Living with someone for years does not give you the same rights as marriage in Ontario. Common-law partners do not have automatic property sharing rights when a relationship ends. Each partner generally keeps the property in their own name — unless specific legal remedies like unjust enrichment or constructive trust apply.
This page explains who qualifies as a common-law partner under Ontario law, what property rights exist and when they do not, how spousal support works for common-law partners (the same legal rules apply), parenting rights, and why a cohabitation agreement is the most reliable way to protect yourself before separation occurs.
Learn MoreResources: FAQ & Special Circumstances
Ontario Divorce FAQ: 20 Common Questions, Answered Clearly
Not everyone knows exactly what question to ask. Our FAQ page answers the 20 most common questions we hear from clients going through separation and divorce in Ontario in plain language, without legal jargon.
Topics covered: How do I get divorced? Do I need a lawyer? How is property divided? Is spousal support automatic? What happens to my pension? Can I move cities with my children? How long does a contested divorce take? What is a flat-fee divorce? And what is the real difference between a separation and a divorce? Every answer links to the full detailed guide on that topic.
Learn MoreAnnulment in Ontario: When a Marriage Was Never Legally Valid
An annulment is not the same as a divorce. A divorce ends a valid marriage. An annulment is a declaration that the marriage was never legally valid in the first place. Annulments are rare and only available in specific circumstances, such as bigamy, lack of genuine consent, mental incapacity, non-consummation, and a small number of other grounds.
This page explains the difference between void marriages (automatically invalid) and voidable marriages (valid unless challenged), how annulment differs from divorce in its legal effects and property consequences, and the important distinction between a legal annulment and a religious annulment. For most couples, divorce is the appropriate remedy. This page helps you understand when an annulment might apply instead.
Learn MoreQuick Answers: The Questions Everyone Asks First
These are the questions most people want answered before anything else. For the full answer on any topic, follow the links above.
An uncontested divorce takes 3 to 6 months from the date of filing. A contested divorce where property, support, or parenting is in dispute typically takes 12 to 36 months or more. The timeline depends on the issues in dispute and court scheduling.
Uncontested divorces typically cost $1,500–$3,500 flat fee in lawyer fees plus approximately ~$669 in court filing fees. Contested divorces can cost significantly more, depending on complexity and conflict. Unified LLP offers flat-fee pricing for straightforward uncontested divorces.
For most uncontested divorces, no. The paperwork is reviewed by a judge in chambers, and you do not need to appear. Contested divorces do require court appearances at various stages.
Both married spouses have equal rights to the matrimonial home, regardless of whose name is on the title. The home’s net equity is generally divided equally as part of the equalization of net family property. Options include one spouse buying out the other, selling the property, or a deferred transfer.
No. Common-law partners in Ontario do not have automatic property-sharing rights on separation. Spousal support may be available if the cohabitation meets the legal threshold, but property rights are significantly more limited.
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.
