Family Law

Family law matters can be complex, emotional and contentious. They involve the parties and their children, and can involve extended family. All assets, including family businesses, trusts and real estate must be dealt with. When these issues arise, retaining a top-tier advisory team capable of providing a comprehensive strategy is essential.

As one of the largest and most respected family law practices in Canada, Torkin Manes’ Family Law Group has a roster of dedicated and accomplished lawyers, who are skilled advocates and negotiators. We have the breadth of knowledge, experience and insight to advise clients on how best to protect their interests. Our team provides advice and representation on matters including:

• Domestic contracts, including separation agreements, cohabitation agreements and marriage contracts
• Litigation in court, including arguing appeals
• Representation in mediation and arbitration
• Divorce and all issues relating to common law relationships
• Property division
• Spousal support and child support
• Parenting arrangements
• Mobility and jurisdictional issues
• Grandparents’ contact
• Adoption

In addition, several of our senior lawyers are fully trained, skilled and experienced family law mediators and arbitrators who regularly provide mediation/arbitration services. We believe that, if possible, a resolution reached by agreement ensures clients have input into, and control over, the decisions that will affect the rest of their lives. To that end, our team makes every effort to facilitate a resolution through negotiation and mediation where possible.

Being part of a full-service law firm allows us to coordinate efficiently when there is a need for Corporate/Commercial, Tax, Commercial Real Estate and Estate & Trusts Litigation advice, as our clients’ legal needs frequently extend beyond Family Law.

As trusted advisors, we believe one size does not fit all. We learn about our clients’ unique circumstances, and tailor our services to respond to their needs most appropriately at one of the most difficult times of their lives. Representing clients from various cultural and economic backgrounds, we accommodate varying levels of knowledge to ensure our clients understand the legal and strategic implications of their options, without losing sight of the practical realities of each family.

As family issues are multi-faceted, we also have a full roster of referral sources for other professionals, including business valuators, appraisers, accountants, therapists, parenting coordinators, mediators, arbitrators, and other services often needed when resolving family disputes.

Our lawyers are active leaders in the family law bar and broader legal community. Members of our team have taught family law to upper year law students and have served and continue to serve on the Family Law Executive of the Ontario Bar Association. Our lawyers have founded a national family law arbitration course, co-chair a family law committee in an international organization, and are active in promoting family law reform. Many of our lawyers also write extensively and speak nationally and internationally on a broad range of topics related to family law.

Our lawyers continue to be ranked as leaders in Family Law in the most respected legal directories in Canada and around the world. As a testament to our excellence in law and client service, the Family Law Group is recognized on the Globe and Mail's Best Law Firms in Canada list.