Family Law Services in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario
Experienced family law counsel, whatever your situation.
Every family is different. Every file is different. We handle the full range of family law matters with the same standard of care across all of them.
Whatever brought you here, we can help.
Whether you’re ending a marriage, protecting yourself before one, navigating a parenting dispute or working out the financial terms of a separation, JBS Family Law has the experience to guide you through it. Browse our services below or book a consultation and we’ll help you figure out where to start.
OUR SERVICES
Divorce
We assist in obtaining a divorce order by preparing and managing the necessary court materials to formally finalize the end of your marriage.
Separation Agreement
A separation agreement is a legally binding contract between two spouses that sets out how they’ve agreed to handle the terms of their separation. It can address property division, spousal support, parenting arrangements, and more.
Having a properly drafted separation agreement protects both parties and reduces the risk of future disputes. We work with clients to negotiate and draft agreements that are fair, comprehensive, and built to hold up.
If you and your spouse are separating, a separation agreement is one of the most important documents you’ll sign. We’ll make sure you understand what you’re agreeing to.
Property Division
In Ontario, married spouses are generally entitled to an equal share of the net family property accumulated during the marriage. How that property is valued, what counts, and what doesn’t can become highly complex, particularly where there are businesses, investments, pensions, or pre-marriage assets involved.
We help clients understand their entitlements, gather and assess the right financial information, and negotiate or litigate property division matters with precision.
Child Support
Whether you’re establishing child support for the first time, dealing with a parent who isn’t paying, or seeking to change an existing order or agreement due to changed circumstances, we can help.
Spousal Support
Spousal support (sometimes referred to as “Alimony”) is intended to address the economic consequences of a marriage breakdown. Whether it applies to your situation, how much should be paid, and for how long are questions that depend on a range of factors including the length of the marriage, the roles each spouse played, and the financial circumstances of both parties.
The Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines provide a framework, but there is significant room for negotiation and legal argument in most cases.
We advise both payors and recipients on their rights and obligations, and we work to reach fair outcomes that reflect the realities of the relationship.
Marriage Contract
A marriage contract (sometimes called a prenuptial agreement) is a legal agreement between two people before or during a marriage that sets out how property and financial matters will be handled if the relationship ends.
Marriage contracts are particularly valuable when one or both parties have significant assets, children from a previous relationship, a family business, or inheritance expectations. We help clients draft contracts that are legally sound, fair, and built to stand up if they’re ever needed.
Cohabitation Agreement
Common-law couples in Ontario do not have the same automatic property rights as married spouses. A cohabitation agreement sets out how property, assets, and financial matters will be handled during the relationship and if it ends.
If you’re moving in with a partner, building a life together, or have been together for some time without a formal agreement in place, a cohabitation agreement gives both of you clarity and protection.
We work with couples to draft agreements that reflect their intentions and protect their individual interests, so that if the relationship ever changes, there’s a clear framework in place.
Decision-Making Responsibility
Decision-making responsibility (previously referred to as custody) refers to a parent’s legal authority to make important decisions about a child’s life, including education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities.
Disputes over decision-making responsibility are some of the most emotionally difficult matters in family law. We approach them with care, pragmatism, and a focus on outcomes that work for children and families long-term.
Parenting Time
Parenting time (previously referred to as “Access”) refers to the time a child spends with each parent. A parenting schedule sets out when the child is with which parent, including regular schedules, holidays, vacations, and special occasions.
A clear, well-drafted parenting arrangement is one of the most important things separating parents can put in place. It reduces conflict, provides stability for children, and gives everyone a framework to work within.
We help parents negotiate workable arrangements and, where necessary, advocate for parenting time that reflects the best interests of their children.
Collaborative Law
Collaborative law is an alternative to litigation that allows separating spouses to resolve their legal issues outside of court, with the support of their own lawyers and, where helpful, other professionals such as financial advisors or family therapists.
In a collaborative process, both parties and their lawyers commit in writing to working toward a negotiated resolution. It tends to be less adversarial, less expensive, and significantly less time-consuming than going to court.
If you and your spouse are willing to work together toward a resolution, collaborative law may be the right path. We’ll help you understand whether it’s a fit for your situation.
Not sure where to start? That’s exactly what a consultation is for.
Book a paid consultation with one of our lawyers and we’ll help you understand your situation, your options, and your next step.