Going to Court

Most cases settle. Some cannot, and for those you need a lawyer who is comfortable in a courtroom. I have appeared in the family courts of Simcoe County and across Ontario for 30 years.

How a family case unfolds. An application starts the case. A case conference follows, where a judge tries to narrow the issues. Motions deal with urgent or temporary matters — who has the children this month, whether support is paid in the meantime. A settlement conference pushes toward resolution. A trial is the last resort, and fewer than five percent of my files get there.

Urgent matters. If a child has been taken, a spouse is emptying accounts, or there is a safety concern, the court can act quickly. I have brought urgent motions on days' notice.

Full representation or partial. Some clients want me to handle everything. Others want to save money by doing part of the work themselves — filling out forms, attending a conference — with me preparing the documents and coaching them. Both are fine. We decide together what makes sense for your case and your budget.

What I will always tell you. What the judge is likely to do, what it will cost to find out, and when it is time to settle.