FAMILY LAW

Family Law encompasses a broad range of issues which arise as a consequence of federal and provincial legislation. The legislation sets out the principles governing the rights and obligations of spouses, whether by virtue of marriage or a common law relationship, and enforceable at law. The following list identifies several of the issues which may arise in the context of Family Law.

• Divorce
• Separation
• Equalization and division of property
• Child custody and access
• Proving ( or defending ) claims of Paternity
• Child support
• Spousal support
• Restraining orders
• Traveling with minors
• Variation of Agreements and Court Orders
• Adoption
• Cohabitation Agreements, Marriage Contracts, and Separation Agreements
• Support enforcement by the Family Responsibility Office
• International enforcement of orders pursuant to the Hague Convention
• Child protection proceedings pursuant to the Child and Family Services Act
• Applications for change of name.

Issues arising in Family Law may, in some instances, be dealt with by way of a domestic contract, namely, a Cohabitation
Agreement, a Marriage Contract, a Separation Agreement, or a Paternity Agreement which has been negotiated between
the parties and enforceable at law. The issues may be addressed also by way of a court proceeding in the Superior Court
of Justice or in the Ontario Court of Justice. The court proceedings are governed by a special set of Rules which have been
developed specifically for Family Law: The Family Law Rules.

For more information, please follow the links indicated on the RESOURCES page.