Progressive Legal Solutions

Today we recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

We honour residential school Survivors, remember the children who never returned home, and acknowledge the lasting impact of the residential school system on Indigenous families and communities.

Our North York and Barrie offices are located on the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples who have cared for these lands for generations.

Today, we take time to listen, learn, remember and reflect.

Every Child Matters. 🧡

Separation can raise important questions about who makes decisions for a child, how parenting time is divided, and what happens when parents cannot agree.

Our latest article explains decision-making responsibility and parenting time in Ontario, including practical tips for creating a workable parenting plan, managing disagreements, and keeping your child’s best interests at the centre.

Read more: https://plslawyers.ca/decision-making-responsibility-parenting-time-ontario/

What happens if you’re concerned that assets may be sold, transferred, or depleted before a family law matter is resolved?

Our latest article explains preservation orders in Ontario, when a court may grant one, what evidence is required, and what other remedies may be available.

Read more: https://plslawyers.ca/preservation-orders-ontario-family-law/

Think you know how divorce works in Ontario?

There are plenty of misconceptions about divorce, from how property is divided to whether unpaid child support can affect parenting time.

Our latest article debunks five common divorce myths and explains what Ontario family law actually says.

Read more: https://plslawyers.ca/common-divorce-myths-ontario/

What is the Office of the Children’s Lawyer (OCL)?

If parents disagree about parenting, the OCL may become involved to provide the court with independent information about the child’s views, preferences, and circumstances.

Our latest article explains when the OCL may become involved, how a case is referred, and what happens after a request is made.

Read more: https://plslawyers.ca/office-childrens-lawyer-ontario/

Living together doesn’t automatically mean common-law partners have the same legal rights as married spouses.

Our latest article explains what cohabitation means, when common-law partners may qualify for spousal support, and how property rights and cohabitation agreements work.

Read more: https://plslawyers.ca/cohabitation-common-law-ontario/

Domestic relations law, more commonly called family law, governs issues such as marriage, separation, divorce, parenting, child support, spousal support, and property division.

One of the most important things to understand is that both federal and provincial laws may apply to the same family-law matter. The applicable legislation can depend on whether the parties are married, whether a divorce is being sought, and the nature of the dispute.

Read more: https://plslawyers.ca/domestic-relations-law-ontario/

In Ontario, the age of majority is 18. However, reaching adulthood does not necessarily mean that a parent’s child support obligation automatically ends.

Support may continue when a young person is attending full-time education, remains financially dependent, or is unable to withdraw from parental care because of illness, disability, or another legally recognized circumstance.

The wording of a separation agreement or court order can also make an important difference.

Read more: https://plslawyers.ca/age-of-majority-ontario-child-support-after-18/

It is a common misconception that a marriage automatically ends after a long separation. In Canada, however, separation and divorce are two different legal processes.

Even after many years apart, you remain legally married until a court grants a divorce. This can have important implications for property, support, estate planning, and the ability to remarry.

Read more: https://plslawyers.ca/automatic-divorce-after-long-separation-canada/

Can mediation make separation easier?

Divorce mediation allows separating spouses to work toward agreements about parenting, support and property without asking a judge to make every decision.

Our new Ontario guide explains how mediation works, how to prepare, when to involve a lawyer and when another legal process may be more appropriate.

Read the guide: https://plslawyers.ca/divorce-mediation-ontario/