services
Family Law
With over a decade of experience exclusively in family law, Dorothy can help you discover options and creative solutions to legal issues that you may not have known were possible. Whether you are currently in court, need to commence litigation, or want to resolve things out of court through mediation, negotiation, or the collaborative process, Dorothy can help you achieve your goals.
Family Law Services
Litigation & Out of Court Settlement
Decision-making and Parenting Time (formerly custody and access)
Decision making and parenting time are perhaps the most important pieces to resolve for separating parents. Dorothy will help you with structuring a comprehensive and workable parenting plan for you and your child(ren).
Child Support
If there are children in your relationship, you may need to consider how child support plays a part in your circumstances. Dorothy will help you with calculating how much child support is required in your case and finding your best options for structuring child support payments.
Spousal Support
Spousal support is calculated and treated differently than child support. There also needs to be a determination of entitlement. Dorothy will help you to understand what goes into calculating spousal support and what an appropriate payment could be.
Property Division and Equalization
Property division can be complex and is different for married and unmarried couples. Dorothy will explain to you how property division in Ontario works and what you can expect from your separation.
Independent Legal Advice
Independent Legal Advice (“ILA”) is required when you are entering into a domestic contract, and you may want to get ILA on other aspects of your matter and any settlement or court order you are dealing with. Dorothy will provide you with ILA when needed and explain to you what you need for a lasting and enforceable result.
Divorce/Uncontested Divorce
Divorce is the legal process of ending your legal marriage – it is not always the same as figuring out property or support obligations. In Ontario, divorce is generally granted after one year of separation. Dorothy will help you through the divorce process and explain to you what a complete separation and divorce process entails.
Termination or Variation of Agreements or Court Orders
When your circumstances have changed and terms of an Agreement or court order are no longer workable or appropriate, Dorothy will help you with the process that applies to your case to make changes.
Separation Agreements
Separation Agreements are binding contracts that can outline all aspects of your separation and can include parenting plans, property division provisions, and support obligations. It’s important to have a properly drafted Separation Agreement and obtain independent legal advice prior to signing one in order to have an enforceable Agreement.
Marriage Contracts or Cohabitation (Prenuptial) Agreements
The law affects you differently when you are married ad when you are not married, but in both circumstances, it affects you. Dorothy will help you to understand how the law applies to you in your particular relationship and what you can do to structure an Agreement that will provide you with greater stability and foreseeability.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Going to court is not the only option for you and your family. There are alternatives. The collaborative process, mediation, arbitration, and lawyer-to-lawyer negotiation are alternatives to going to court. These processes are available to you to explore before commencing litigation. Dorothy will discuss the pros and cons of each with you so you can choose the best process for your family.
Unbundled Legal Services
When retaining a lawyer is unaffordable, Dorothy can help you through your process in the background in a way that is tailored to help you move your matter forward on your own with added confidence. Coaching, consultations, and legal drafting are some of the ways she can work with you.
Letter of Opinion Respecting Foreign Divorces
If you want to marry in Ontario, but have divorced in a foreign jurisdiction, you may need to provide a letter from a lawyer stating that the foreign divorce should be recognized in order to get your marriage license. We charge a flat fee for this service.
Adoptions
Adoptions in Ontario can take place through relatives, or unrelated persons or through the Children’s Aid Society. If you are seeking to adopt or be adopted, Dorothy can explain the process and guide you through it.
Collaborative Family Law
The Collaborative process focuses on family-focused resolutions that maintain individuals’ integrity and safeguard continued family relationships. Additional, in-depth information, is available here.
Compassionate Approach
Collaborative Family Law
Although separation is a difficult time filled with emotion and uncertainty, Dorothy aims to make the legal aspects of separation straightforward.
With over a decade of experience exclusively in family law, Dorothy can help you discover options and creative solutions to legal issues that you may not have known were possible.
By working with financial specialists, or mental health practitioners where needed, you will find the best way forward.
Where lawyer-to-lawyer negotiation is not enough, litigation, mediation, or the Collaborative Process, may be suited to your circumstances; Dorothy is skilled in these avenues to resolution and will help you find your best way forward.
Get In Touch
1100 Burloak Drive
Suite 300
Burlington, ON L7L 6B2
T: 289-266-1642
F: 289-816-5001
info@koshlaw.ca