Family law for people going through a separation.
We help you understand the legal issues, then choose how to deal with them: talking it through, mediation, collaborative family law, or court when nothing else works.
Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. 260 Hearst Way, Suite 402, Kanata.
What happens when you call
Phone or email the office to book an initial consultation. Someone takes a short background of your situation and sets a time for you to meet one of the lawyers.
Your history
We go through what has happened, the good and the bad, and review the documents you have.
The legal issues
We identify what questions your situation raises. These can change as new information turns up.
How to resolve it
We talk through the options, from mediation to court, and what each means for time, cost and how much say you keep.
Your questions
If time allows, we answer them at the first meeting.
What to bring
Any letter from the other lawyer, court papers you have been served with, and a separation agreement or court order if you already have one. Nothing else is needed except valid government-issued ID.
You are welcome to bring a family member or friend. What you tell your lawyer is confidential, but that protection does not extend to a person sitting in on the meeting.
The initial consultation is a meeting to see how to proceed, not an agreement to act for you. The fee is paid at the visit, and the office will give you the rate when you book.
Ways to resolve a separation
The process you choose affects how long things take, what they cost, how much control you have and how much conflict there is. Most of these need the other person to take part.
- Collaborative family law
- You and your spouse each have a lawyer and all four of you meet to work out an agreement. Neither lawyer can take the matter to court, so if the process ends, both of you hire new lawyers.
- Mediation
- You and your spouse meet with a family mediator, usually without lawyers in the room, and share the cost of that one professional. You still need your own lawyer to give you independent legal advice on any agreement.
- Negotiation
- The lawyers talk with each other, focusing on what each side needs rather than only trading positions.
- Arbitration
- A private process that looks like court. You and your spouse choose the decision maker, and the award is binding and enforceable in the courts.
- Court
- A judge decides. It is public, takes time and costs money, so it is the option to use when the others have not worked. Appeals are also handled.
What we help with
From drafting an agreement to a contested hearing. The list below is not complete.
Children
- Parenting and decision-making (custody and access)
- Child support
- Special (section 7) expenses
- Step-children
Money and property
- Spousal support
- Setting or reviewing income
- Property division
- Valuing assets and debts
- Family-owned businesses
- Tax questions that come with a separation
Agreements and court
- Separation agreements
- Marriage contracts and cohabitation agreements
- Contested and uncontested divorce
- Common-law separation
- Cases with an international element
- Enforcing court orders, trials and appeals
Who you will meet
Cecil J. Lyon
Lawyer, collaborative family law panellist and mediator
Cecil's work covers family law disputes of all kinds, with a focus on resolving them without court where that is possible. He helps clients identify the legal issues and pick the process that fits their situation.
Visit the office
Lyon Family Law260 Hearst Way, Suite 402
Kanata, ON K2L 3H1
Free parking on site. Initial consultations can be paid by cash, Visa, Mastercard, debit, bank draft or money order.
Hours
| Monday to Friday | 8:30 am – 4:30 pm |
| Saturday and Sunday | Closed |