Is There a Best Time of Year to File for Divorce?
If you’re thinking about ending your marriage, you may wonder whether there’s ever a “right” time to do it. After the holidays? When the kids finish the school year? Once your income tax return is filed? The courts in Ontario are open all year, so there’s no “season” when divorce is legally easier or harder to start. But timing still matters, just not in the way most...
What Happens at a Case Conference in Ontario Family Law?
If you’re going through a separation or divorce, your first real appearance before a family court judge will often be a Case Conference. It’s not a trial: There are no witnesses, and the judge isn’t there to make findings of fact. Instead, a Case Conference is meant to identify the issues, encourage settlement, confirm that information has been exchanged, and set out what...
What Happens at a Case Conference in Ontario Family Law?
If you’re going through a separation or divorce, your first real appearance before a family court judge will often be a Case Conference. It’s not a trial: There are no witnesses, and the judge isn’t there to make findings of fact. Instead, a Case Conference is meant to identify the issues, encourage settlement, confirm that information has been exchanged, and set out what...
What Happens if There’s a Failure to Obey a Court Order?
Since the court and the parties each have a duty to promote the Rules’ primary objective of dealing with cases justly, it’s not surprising that there are potential sanctions for failing to do so. In particular, if a person fails to follow the Rules, or fails to abide by a court order, then the court can deal with it by making another order to encourage or compel compliance. What Kind of Order...
Are You New to Canada? Here’s What You Need to Know About Divorce
If you are a newcomer to Canada and are also facing the breakdown of your marriage, the legal process can feel unfamiliar and overwhelming. Understanding the basics can make the process more manageable, so we have set out some of the most common questions we receive: Q: I’m Originally from Another Country. Do Canadian Laws Apply to Me? A: Yes. As long as you live in this country, Canadian...
Deepfakes, Text Messages, and Secret Recordings: A New Era of Digital Evidence in Family Law
Digital evidence is becoming a central issue in family law disputes across Ontario, and the risks are evolving quickly. In a recent article published in Law360 Canada, Lorne J. Fine of Fine & Associates explores how text messages, social media, recordings, and emerging technologies like AI-generated content are reshaping how courts assess evidence in family law matters. Why this matters...
Divorce After Age 50 in Ontario: What’s Different About It?
Divorce later in life—often called a “gray divorce”—is becoming increasingly common. Married couples are separating after many decades, after the children are grown or retirement is approaching. While the basic legal framework for divorce in Ontario remains the same regardless of age, couples who divorce after age 50 often face a different set of financial and practical considerations. If you...
Thinking of Divorce in 2026? Here’s How to Get Ready
The start of a new year often brings a period of reflection. For many people, January and February are when unresolved questions about their shaky marriage feel harder to ignore. If you are finding yourself thinking more seriously about separation or divorce, you are not alone. As experienced Ontario Family Lawyers in Ontario, we frequently see an increase in inquiries early in the year. After...
When Work Stress Turns Personal: The Impact on Divorce
Most people think of divorce as arising from problems inside the relationship itself. It might look like communication breakdowns, financial strain, or growing apart. But for many couples, the tipping point begins somewhere else entirely: At work. It’s really no surprise: Times are tough everywhere. The economy is faltering. Job losses might be looming. Even if both spouses are employed,...