Family Law
Individuals in difficulty need a family law lawyer who is a good listener, skilful advocate and strong negotiator, committed to helping you at this time of crisis.
At Cunningham Swan, the lawyers in our Family Law Group combine these skills while handling your matters efficiently and in a way that best meets your needs. Most importantly, you can count on us to represent you sensitively and in a timely, responsive and confidential manner.
Let us help you with any of these critical Family Law issues:
- Marriage Contracts and Co-Habitation Agreements
- Separation and Divorce
- Child Custody and Access
- Child and Spousal Support
- Division of Property
- Income Tax and Pension Advice as it relates to Marriage Breakdown
- Mediation and Dispute Resolution
All members of our Family Law Group also practice Collaborative Family Law.
Hilary and Lesley are panel members of the Office of the Children's Lawyer and as such are able to represent children in Court proceedings and in adoptions.
Hilary is a mediator for family law related issues and Hilary and Lesley are also qualified Parenting Coordinators.
To find out more about this highly specialized area of the law and how we can help you, contact:
| Name | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Lesley Kendall | 613.546.8067 | lkendall@cswan.com |
| Name | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Carolyn Shelley | 613.546.8093 | cshelley@cswan.com |
Collaborative Family Law
Collaborative Family Law (CFL) is a different and unique way of resolving your family law matters that is designed to cost less and minimize conflict while reaching a resolution that both spouses create with the assistance of legal counsel.
You, your spouse and both of your respective lawyers sign an agreement to exchange all important information and settle all issues without going to court. The CFL process focuses on meetings with both parties together with their lawyers.
Each person is represented by your own CFL lawyer but the two lawyers and the two spouses work together to reach a fair settlement that meets the needs of everyone involved. Your CFL lawyer acts as both a legal advisor and a negotiation coach.
If a settlement is not reached and you decide to go to court, your CFL lawyers cannot continue to represent you.
For details about why CFL is a better approach and how CFL can help you, please contact our office.
Parenting Coordinators
Parenting Coordinators (PC's) are a unique combination of mediator and arbitrator, trained to resolve on-going issues between high conflict parents. The PC will first attempt to mediate disputes. If no resolution results from mediation, the PC has the power to arbitrate, pursuant to the Arbitration Act.
A PC is appointed by the Court on consent of the parties to help them implement their parenting plan after there is an Order or Agreement in place.
Parties pay privately for the PC at an hourly rate. Typically, each parent contributes one half of this cost.
PC's are appointed for a definite term, typically 6 to 24 months.
Each party must have independent legal advice prior to singing the contract with the PCK. Upon the appointment of the PC, the involvement of legal counsel should be reduced.
For details about what PC's can and cannot do, please contact our office.