Family Law in Canada

What is Family Law?

Family Law encompasses the issues that arise from the breakdown of a marriage or common-law relationship and includes divorce (the legal termination of your marriage); separation; division of property (including the matrimonial home), parenting issues (formerly referred to in the governing laws as ‘custody,’ ‘access’), child support and spousal support.

There are various ways to resolve these issues, ideally via a negotiated agreement. Family Law also includes negotiating cohabitation agreements and marriage contracts for those people embarking on cohabiting or marrying. 

Family Law Quick Links

Collaborative Family Law

FAMILY LAW - MARRIAGE / COHABITATION

FAMILY LAW - PROPERTY DIVISION

FAMILY LAW - PROCESS OPTIONS

FAMILY LAW - SPOUSAL SUPPORT

FAMILY LAW - PARENTING / CUSTODY

FAMILY LAW - CHILD SUPPORT

Family law and fertility law overlap

Shirley Levitan ECO Divorce

A Unique Approach to the Divorce Process

Shirley works tirelessly to reduce the impact separation can have on you, your family and your children. Shirley’s unique approach to divorce is focused on efficient and effective negotiation, with the ultimate goal of obtaining an out-of-court settlement tailored to your specific needs.

Shirley often works with various financial and family professionals, including business valuators, real estate appraisers, tax accountants, social workers, parenting co-ordinators and others, to ensure your situation is resolved in the most informative and effective way.

What makes Shirley different?

Shirley is a Toronto family lawyer with a commitment and passion for helping her clients. In addition to having over 30 years of experience, she is considered both a highly ethical and expert negotiator by her colleagues.

Practicing family law since 1992, Shirley has litigated, mediated, and negotiated all manners of family law issues. With a university background in psychology and experience with corporate law, she offers a unique insight into the personal and emotional aspects of family law while providing a remarkable understanding of the business and financial challenges of separation or divorce.

As well, Shirley’s wit, warmth and humour have helped immensely in tense negotiations as she ensures her clients feel heard, informed and advised every step of the way.  She offers insight, experience, creativity and knowledge. 

What do you need resolved?

SHIRLEY LEVITAN_ECODivorce TM

Divorce and Separation

We know that going through a separation or divorce can leave you feeling scared, anxious and stressed. We also know that if you have children, their best interests is your priority, and we work with you to ensure those interests are protected. Offering services to resolve all manner of your family issues, we’re ready to help you move forward with confidence.

SHIRLEY LEVITAN_Agreements _Contracts

Marriage Contracts and Cohabitation Agreements

Before you enter into any agreement, you should be informed, especially when there’s property involved or when a partner has been married previously. We offer services to help you decide what’s best for you, and your relationship, so you can start planning for the future. Together we can make the future brighter.

Additional Family Law Services

Step Parent & Adult Adoption

Are you interested in finding out the process for step parent and adult adoptions? An adoption requires a Court Order, and must proceed in the specific jurisdiction where the child (or adult to be adopted) lives. Throughout Canada, each province has and is governed by its own adoption laws. We can help!

Separation Preparation Consulting

Many people considering separation or divorce are confused, scared and not ready to pursue that option. Shirley can review the law with you, letting you know your options for resolution, and how separation may impact you, your children and your finances. Be prepared, and be empowered. Shirley’s insight, knowledge, and guidance will help you to make the decisions that are best for you, your family and your future.

Foreign Divorce

Where is the divorce from? And is the divorce acceptable in Canada? We’ll help you understand the complex issues surrounding foreign divorce so you can move on with your life.

Family Law and Fertility Law Overlap

Whether you are separating and need advice about your frozen embryos or wish to enter into an agreement with a friend to create embryos and co-parent the resulting child, Shirley can help you move ahead. 

Testimonials

Shirley is smart, knowledgeable, no-nonsense, warm and approachable

Shirley took on my family law case after my previous lawyer had become a Judge.  It had been a complicated and challenging negotiation as my ex and his lawyer were trying to ensure that ‘no stone was left unturned’, even though there was nothing under those stones!  Shirley negotiated the final agreement to my very great satisfaction. She ensured that I was regularly informed and that I understood all the issues, and how the facts of my particular case related to the law.  Shirley is smart, knowledgeable, no-nonsense, warm and approachable. I was very pleased with the result and felt heard and well taken care of.  I highly recommend Shirley, you will be in good hands with her.

SC, Family Law Client, Toronto, Ontario

Shirley listened to our needs

We are a gay male Italian couple, and enlisted Shirley’s help with our surrogacy and egg donation journey.  From the beginning, Shirley was  knowledgeable, compassionate and diligent.  She was available on our timetable, and guided us through the many legal issues and complications.  Shirley listened to our needs and concerns with sincerity and made us feel secure and heard.  We are very happy with her assistance and can attest that you will be in very good hands with her.

GC and SP, Fertility Clients, Italy

Thank you for your guidance

I cannot thank Shirley enough for her guidance and wisdom through the negotiation of my separation agreement.  There were indeed times I was ready to ‘throw my hands up’, dig my heels in, and take it all to Court.  Shirley helped to ground me, and wisely advised that this would not be at all helpful; I would risk losing a lot going to court rather than negotiating-not to mention the high tab it would involve. When I felt down, she helped me to see the ‘silver lining’ and truly encouraged me to ‘hang in there’.  In the end, I had an agreement that dealt with all the issues that were important to me, in a way that made sense to me.  Thank you, Shirley!

HE, Family Law Client, Toronto

Shirley has gone above and beyond...

We are a same sex married couple from Australia, who are now blessed with two beautiful babies born in Ontario via egg donation and surrogacy.  From the outset, Shirley was there to guide us every step of the way.  She is knowledgeable, available and sincerely interested in helping her clients work through the maze of international surrogacy and fertility arrangements.  She was the first person we met in Canada when we began our journey, and assisted us all the way through.   Shirley also managed to organize the paper work so we were able to leave Canada and return home within record time after the birth!  She has gone ‘beyond and above’ for us in so many ways.  We are still in touch with her and our daughters continually hail ‘agoo’ in thanks to her!  We highly recommend Shirley and can attest that you will be in excellent hands with her helping you

Happy fathers, AS and JC (and our lovely twins!), Fertility Law Clients, Australia

I highly recommend Shirley!

Shirley took on my case after my previous lawyer had become a Judge.  It had been a very complicated and challenging negotiation as my ex and his lawyer were trying to ensure that ‘no stone was left unturned’, even though there was nothing under those stones!  Shirley negotiated the agreement to my very great satisfaction. She ensured that I was regularly informed and that I understood all the issues, and how the facts of my particular case related to the law.  Shirley is smart, knowledgeable, no-nonsense, warm and approachable. I was very pleased with the result and felt heard and well taken care of.  I highly recommend Shirley; you will be in excellent hands with her. “

SC, Family Law Client, Toronto, Ontario

Shirley helped me get through a very rough time

I hired Shirley on the recommendation of a friend of mine. The separation was not an easy time for me, and I needed someone strong, who, at the same time, could support me with sincerity and empathy.  I was not disappointed. Shirley guided me with patience and understanding through the maze of issues involved in my case (not simple), and negotiated an agreement directly with my ex (also not simple) until the end, when he got a lawyer to review it.  Her knowledge, experience and patience, plus how she dealt with my ex, helped get me through this very tough time. I cannot thank her enough and have recommended her numerous times since.

CR, Family Law Client, Toronto

I obtained the agreement I wanted!

I thank Shirley for her guidance, knowledge, and wisdom in settlement negotiations of my separation agreement. It was a difficult time for me, and Shirley helped me every step of the way. She made sure I felt heard, and that my goals and fears were acknowledged. It was important to me to maintain a positive relationship with my ex-husband throughout, and Shirley ensured that happened. Her patience, warmth, and experience helped to keep me grounded and focussed. I obtained the agreement I wanted, and my ex and I continue to co-parent our children with respect. A huge relief is an understatement!

SE, Family Law Client, Toronto

Shirley made this difficult process easy

Shirley Levitan BSc., LLB is phenomenal to work with. Shirley was highly recommended by one of my long-time clients as I was recently going through a divorce. Shirley made this difficult process easy, clear and had it completed fairly quickly. She took the time to explain and guide me through the negotiations, while delivering on everything she had promised. I would recommend Shirley Levitan BSc., LLB to anyone going through a divorce, as she is very knowledgeable and truly works for the best interest of her clients. She not only makes a difficult situation easy but makes herself available to answer any questions or concerns one may have. Shirley, I can’t thank you enough for your help and alleviating a lot of stress from my divorce. Thank You

PS, Family Law Client, Toronto

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