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Divorce

Your Experienced Ottawa Divorce Lawyer

Going Through a Divorce?

couple going through a divorce in Ottawa

Going through a divorce? With the ever-changing legal landscape, it is increasingly important to find a skilled Ottawa divorce lawyer in. With suitable representation from an attorney who specializes in this area of law, you are better able to navigate the difficulties that come with dissolving your marriage and obtain advantageous outcomes for yourself. It is important to understand all aspects of how divorce works in Ottawa as well as tips on ensuring smooth progress throughout proceedings.

Key Takeaways

  • Find an experienced divorce lawyer to ensure a successful outcome.
  • Consider factors such as reputation, style of communication, and availability when selecting a divorce lawyer.
  • Understand the cost of hiring a qualified professional and gather the necessary documents before meeting with them.

Finding the Right Divorce Lawyer in Ottawa

Parents arguing while talking to a divorce lawyer in front of child.


Making Your Own Decisions vs. Hiring a Lawyer


If you are going through a divorce, it is imperative to make the right decision in terms of family lawyers and of choosing an attorney with expertise in family law who can best meet your needs. This important choice may have long-term repercussions on you and those closest to you, such as your children, so selecting a knowledgeable lawyer should be taken seriously.



Importance of Experience

They possess a high level of knowledge about family law legislation, regulations, excel in negotiation and arbitration techniques, and demonstrate the ability to handle complex financial affairs in divorce cases.

Understanding the Divorce Process in Ottawa


In Ottawa, the process of divorce can sometimes be a complicated legal journey. Divorce lawyers can provide necessary assistance to make sure couples understand all their options, ranging from an amicable split or contested divorce. First, it involves taking steps to separate from one’s spouse and then filing the proper paperwork. With thorough analysis on how both parties plan for separation as well as knowledge about different types of divorce grounds, individuals will be able better tackle the process. The following skills and experience should be considered when going through a separation and retaining a lawyer:

  • Negotiating a Separation Agreement
  • Preparing equalization and Net Family Property (NFP) calculations
  • Attending and preparing for mediation
  • Litigating in court, including drafting and preparing court documents

The Divorce Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 3, governs the procedure through which a couple may legally dissolve their marriage. The Divorce Act is a federal law, although divorce procedures are the responsibility of the provinces and territories. You will need to complete the appropriate forms for your province or territory and submit them to the proper court. Our expert lawyers are more than happy to perform this task on your behalf. Adhering to the guidelines of the court handling your divorce is essential. You may be required to pay an application fee as well.

Types of Divorces

When it comes to divorce, there are two main types: contested and uncontested. When couples cannot come to an agreement on matters such as spousal and child support amount, child custody or division of property in a contested situation, the process can be more lengthy and expensive. Uncontested divorces, with pre-agreed terms, proceed swiftly, costing less, and fostering a less adversarial environment, benefiting all parties.

Grounds for Divorce

In Ottawa, seeking a divorce is based on legal grounds like adultery, cruelty, desertion, or separation for a specific duration.

It is important that couples seek advice from an experienced lawyer who specializes in handling divorces before taking any steps since different grounds come with their own set of requirements & implications. Working with such a professional helps ensure all rights and interests remain secure throughout this process.

Divorce lawyers have comprehensive knowledge regarding outstanding issues on each ground so they will assess your circumstances best determine which course may prove most beneficial you during proceedings in Ottawa .

Legal Services Offered by Divorce Lawyers

Divorce Paperwork with wedding rings on top.

Lawyers in Ottawa provide comprehensive legal services for those going through the process of divorce. These encompass contested divorces, uncontested divorces, as well as the need to discuss and resolve child custody, spousal support, and property division issues. Divorce lawyers are available in Ottawa to assist you with every step throughout the course of your divorce journey.

Separation Agreements

A separation agreement is a necessary part of the divorce procedure, as it deals with any unresolved matters between partners. This sort of contract commonly includes arrangements concerning:

  • Distribution of assets
  • Spousal support payments
  • Child custody and visitation decisions
  • Setting child maintenance amounts
  • Resolving conflicts in an effective manner.

By enlisting the help from a qualified lawyer when drawing up your separation agreements you can benefit immensely during this process. They can confirm its legality, guarantee all relevant aspects, prevent potential future disagreements, and ensure a smoother divorce process without legal hiccups.

Child Custody and Support

When it comes to divorce proceedings, child custody and support are of major importance. In order to make decisions on these matters that serve the best interests of children involved in family disputes, courts take into account such elements as their safety and stability. If a child reaches an appropriate age, they can express their wishes, which the court will consider when making judgments.

In Ottawa, factors such as the payor’s income and the number and ages of the children involved determine suitable child care costs. Experienced attorneys prioritize your children’s welfare before court orders regarding custodial rights and financial arrangements.

Spousal Support and Property Division


During a divorce proceeding, the court will assess certain aspects such as how long the marriage lasted and each spouse’s financial needs and independence when deciding on spousal support. This is an allotment to one partner that can be provided for either an indefinite or fixed period of time. Property division deals with dividing assets acquired during the union equitably between both parties involved in matrimony. Having a lawyer knowledgeable about divorce plays a key role here. They are able to provide advice plus represent their client properly so that it leads to just outcomes concerning these two matters – finances & possessions among spouses after separation from wedlock has occurred.

The Cost of Hiring a Divorce Lawyer in Ottawa

For those seeking a divorce lawyer in Ottawa, the amount required to do so varies depending on the intricacy of their case and level of expertise. For uncontested divorces, fees vary. If applications are contested or more complex then usual prices range from around $199-$499 per hour, plus HST depending how experienced your divorce lawyer is.

Average Legal Fees

For those considering a divorce in Ottawa, legal fees for uncontested cases can vary depending on how complicated matters are, and if they require trial proceedings such as contested divorces – In this case the cost could be up to or even exceeding fifty thousand dollars. It is wise to consult with an our experienced Ottawa lawyer prior proceeding and receive a precise quote based on one’s unique situation. The hourly rate of experienced lawyers specializing in this field within Ottawa typically ranges considerably, the cost will vary depending on experience level and specialization of the law firms providing services related to these issues.

Factors Affecting Costs

protecting assets during divorce


When seeking a divorce lawyer in Ottawa, the complexity of the case as well as their level of experience can affect how much it costs. For instance, if there are several contested matters or child custody disagreements that need to be settled, this can require more time and resources from a lawyer which may raise legal fees. The length of the proceedings could also cause an increase due to greater expenses associated with longer cases. Thus having an experienced professional on hand is essential for handling everything efficiently and reasonably limiting overall expenditures.

Tips for a Smooth Divorce Process

When it comes to a smooth divorce, talking clearly with your lawyer is vital. You should collect all the necessary court documents together as soon as possible. This could help prevent potential misunderstandings and disputes from surfacing which would result in a less strained or hostile dissolution of marriage.

Open Communication

Ronan Blake - Divorce Lawyer
Ronan Blake – Ottawa Family Law Lawyer



Communication with a divorce lawyer and family members is essential to have an effective dissolution of marriage. Your professional should be aware and understand your particular needs, worries, and intentions for the best outcomes possible. This transparency will also give you updates on progress reports from time to time so that you remain informed regarding your case’s development.

Our experienced RPB Law divorce lawyers in Ottawa promote openness alongside providing support emotionally as well as crafting a safe ambiance wherein their clients can express themselves without fear or worry of judgement passing over them when they do speak up honestly about what it is they need or want out of this process overall.

A productive communication between yourself and your legal representative from RPB Family Law helps significantly during the course of divorce proceedings while ensuring desirable results too at its completion.

Gathering Necessary Documents

Having the necessary papers together and presenting them to your divorce lawyer is a crucial step in navigating through the dissolution of marriage. Having documents such as income tax returns, records related to assets and liabilities, bank account transcripts, paycheck stubs, a divorce certificate proving legal wedlock, and children’s reports can significantly expedite proceedings. This ensures that we consider all critical information needed to settle divorce matters, ultimately making everything smoother and allowing individuals going through it to begin anew with less stress from the experience itself.

Contact Our Trusted Ottawa Divorce Lawyer

When it comes to finding the right divorce lawyer in Ottawa for your situation, selecting one with ample family law services experience and a good reputation is key. Communication style should also be taken into account when making this decision. Having confidence that your rights are secure throughout the entire process can give you peace of mind during what can otherwise be an extremely stressful time. With proper legal representation and qualified legal counsel and guidance, navigating through all stages of the divorce will no doubt become much smoother, ultimately leading to successful results.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Ottawa?

Lawyers in Ottawa who specialize in divorce cases have an hourly rate that greatly depend on their level of experience. Divorce lawyers, both based and practicing out of the city, offer various services related to divorce.

How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Ontario?

According to a survey by Canadian Lawyer Magazine, the cost of a contested divorce in Ontario can range from approximately $2,000 to in excess of $30,000 depending on which family lawyer is used and how smooth negotiations go. An uncontested divorce, or simple divorce, can be obtained for $2,000.

Do I need a lawyer to get a divorce in Ontario?

A divorce in Ontario can be difficult, so seeking the help of a lawyer may prove beneficial. Although not legally required for divorcing couples to retain independent legal advice or counsel, doing so could simplify matters and provide more assurance that all steps are followed correctly.

What factors can influence the cost of hiring a divorce lawyer in Ottawa?

In Ottawa, the cost of a divorce lawyer can vary depending on how complex the case is, their level of expertise and for how long it will take. Factors such as these play an important role in determining expenses related to hiring a professional lawyer specialised in this type of cases.