How We Help
Legal Advice & Representation
Standard
Retainers
Ideal For
Clients needing legal advice and representation for most common family law matters.
Includes
- Legal Advice
- Legal Representation
- Law Firm on Record
- Dedicated Lawyer
- Dedicated Law Clerk
- Blended Expenses
- Free Consultation
- Free Parking
- Virtual or In-Person
Retainer
Starting at $3,000
Basic
Retainers
Ideal For
Clients needing legal advice and representation for a simple family law matter.
Includes
- Legal Advice
- Legal Representation
- Law Firm on Record
- Dedicated Paralegal
- Virtual or In-Person
Retainer
Starting at $1,500
Limited
Retainers
Ideal For
Clients needing legal advice without representation for their family law matter (ex: self-representation).
Includes
- Legal Advice
- Dedicated Lawyer
- Reduced Hourly Rates
- Virtual Only
Retainer
Starting at $1,500
Included in All Retainers:
All clients have access to experienced legal professionals who maintain high standards of quality, timely communication, and fair billing. We respond to clients within one business day to help ensure matters move forward efficiently. Legal work is subject to internal peer reviews as part of our quality assurance. We also provide budget estimates and guidance to help clients manage legal costs.
How We Work
Our 5-Step Process
The first step is a legal consultation where we assess the circumstances of your matter and the relevant legal issues. The meeting provides an opportunity to address situation-specific questions, discuss a preliminary strategy, confirm the most suitable retainer option, and identify appropriate next steps.
Once you retain the firm, we begin work on your matter. This stage focuses on analyzing the circumstances in greater detail, organizing relevant information, and preparing the legal strategy or action plan for implementation.
We implement the agreed strategy or action plan and monitor the matter to ensure it remains effective and aligned with the intended objectives. Throughout this stage, we maintain communication with you to address issues as they arise and ensure steady progress toward resolution or completion.
Family law matters often involve unexpected complications beyond anyone’s control. While potential risks are anticipated where possible, we may adjust the legal strategy or action plan as circumstances evolve. When necessary, earlier steps are revisited to ensure the matter continues to move forward efficiently toward resolution or completion.
The matter concludes once all legal issues have been resolved. Outstanding items are finalized and records are securely retained for future reference, allowing you to move forward with your life and family.
How We Bill
Our Legal Fees
Fee Structure
Our legal work is billed on an hourly basis and supported by retainers that allow matters to proceed without interruption. Legal fees vary depending on the level of conflict, complexity, and urgency of the matter. Conflict reflects the extent to which parties are able to cooperate in addressing issues as they arise, while complexity reflects the number of legal issues that must be addressed within the same matter. Urgency reflects the extent to which time-sensitive issues require immediate legal action. As any of these factors increase, additional legal work is typically required to manage the matter and move it toward resolution.
Hourly Rates
Our standard hourly rates range from $295 to $580 CAD, depending on the experience of the lawyer or law clerk/paralegal. Legal work is billed according to roles and responsibilities, and time is recorded to the nearest minute to reflect actual time spent. We do not use rounding conventions that inflate recorded time.
Retainers
Initial retainers range from $1,500 CAD to $3,000 CAD depending on the scope of work and desired service. A retainer is required before work begins and is applied against future legal fees and third-party disbursements as work is completed. Retainers may need to be replenished as a matter progresses to allow work to continue without interruption. Higher retainers may be required for matters with higher levels of conflict, complexity, and urgency.
Initial Legal Consultations
Consultations are offered at 50% of our standard hourly rates, and most consultations are booked for 30 minutes. The average cost of a consultation at our firm ranges from $85 to $145 CAD. When a consultation is booked with a Partner, an associate may also attend at no additional cost. For clients who retain the firm under a Standard Retainer, the full consultation fee is credited toward future legal services.
Disbursements
Disbursements are third-party expenses incurred during the course of a matter, such as court fees, expert fees, transcripts, and external reports. These costs can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars depending on the legal needs of the matter.
Billing Practices
We maintain transparent billing practices. Invoices are issued monthly and are fully itemized, with time recorded to reflect actual work performed. We do not use block billing or rounding conventions that inflate recorded time. Budget estimates are provided and updated as matters progress.
Average Costs
Legal fees in family law can be difficult to predict, as matters often evolve and circumstances change. In general, matters involving lower levels of conflict, complexity, and urgency may resolve within a range of $3,000 to $5,000 CAD. Matters involving higher levels of conflict, complexity, or urgency may fall within a broader range of $5,000 to $50,000 CAD. Highly contested or complex matters can exceed $50,000 and may extend beyond $100,000 CAD.
Litigation Loans
Interim funding arrangements may be available through our specialized lenders. This option may be appropriate for clients who are entitled to funds that are not yet accessible.
Our Role
Our role is to provide legal advice and representation in matters involving varying levels of conflict, complexity, and urgency. Our approach reflects the particular circumstances of each matter and the practical needs of our clients, recognizing that family law issues can differ significantly in scope and intensity. We remain responsive to changing circumstances, ensuring the matter continues to progress efficiently toward resolution.
FAQS
Questions?
Which Retainer Service is right for me?
The most suitable option depends on the level of involvement required from our firm (e.g., legal advice, representation, or both), as well as the level of conflict, complexity, and urgency involved in your matter. If you are unsure, please speak with our Client Service Manager before booking your consultation or discuss the options with one of our lawyers during your consultation.
Can I request a specific lawyer or clerk?
While we try to accommodate requests and preferences whenever possible, we also need to ensure that your matter is appropriately matched to the right lawyer and/or clerk based on the experience, skills, and availability required for the scope of work. To support this important part of family law practice, we created a custom intake system that is very effective in improving compatibility between our clients and legal team.
Can I change the Retainer Service after I start?
Yes. You can switch between Retainer Services as your needs or the circumstances of your matter evolve.
Do you offer payment plans?
Due to the nature of our work, we do not offer traditional payment plans. However, interim funding arrangements may be available through our specialized lenders where appropriate.
Do you accept legal aid?
Unfortunately, we do not accept Legal Aid certificates at this time. Please visit the Legal Aid Ontario website for a list of lawyers who can assist with legal aid matters.