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Contested Divorce

Ottawa Expert Contested Divorce Lawyer

Ottawa Contested Divorce Lawyer

Family figure and gavel on table.

Going Through a Contested Divorce in Ontario? Contact RPB Family Law for Immediate Help

At RPB Family Law, our Ottawa contested divorce lawyer has the skills, experience, and legal expertise to help you navigate even the most complex, fiercely disputed of cases. Going through a divorce is never easy—especially if it is a contested divorce. If you have any specific questions or concerns about a divorce case, we can help. Contact us at our Ottawa law office today to set up a completely confidential, no obligation consultation with a top-tier Ontario divorce lawyer. Call us today at 613-216-5044!


What is a Contested Divorce?


In Ontario, divorces are split into two broad categories: A) Contested divorces and B) Uncontested divorces. A contested divorce occurs when spouses cannot agree on one or more key issues related to their marriage. Instead, a court is required to step in and make the final decision. In other words, a contested divorce is a litigated divorce. This type of divorce often involves a trial where each spouse presents evidence and arguments for their preferred outcomes. The most common issues that are at conflict in a contested divorce in Ottawa include: 

  • Property Division: Property division is a major issue in many contested divorce cases. In Ontario, property division during a divorce is governed by the Family Law Act. The law stipulates the equalization of net family property—meaning each spouse is entitled to half the increase in value of property acquired by either spouse during the marriage. The process includes the division of assets such as homes, vehicles, and investments. If you have any questions about a property division dispute, our contested divorce lawyers can help. 
  • Spousal Support: Spousal support in Ontario is designed to help a spouse cover their living expenses and maintain a standard of living comparable to that during the marriage. The amount and duration of support are determined based on factors such as the length of the marriage, the roles of each spouse during the marriage, and each spouse’s earning capacity. Our contested divorce lawyers have a deep understanding of Ontario’s spousal support laws. 
  • Child Custody: In Ontario, child custody decisions are made based on the best interests of the child, with considerations including the child’s physical, emotional, and psychological safety, comfort, and well-being. Custody can be sole, where one parent has full custody rights, or joint, where both parents share the decision-making responsibilities and parenting time. A contested divorce lawyer can help you navigate the best solution. 
  • Child Support: Child support in Ontario is mandated by the Child Support Guidelines—which calculate payments based on the income of the non-custodial parent and the number of children requiring support. These payments are intended to cover expenses related to the child’s care, including food, housing, clothing, healthcare, and education. A deviation from the child support guidelines is possible if good cause can be shown. 

A Contested Divorce May Still Become an Uncontested Divorce


Contested divorces are generally more time-consuming, costly, and emotionally draining compared to uncontested divorces. For that reason, couples should generally try to reach a settlement. It should be noted that many cases that start out as contested divorces still end up as uncontested divorces. A contested divorce—which is fundamentally characterized by disagreements over one or more key issues—can still evolve into an uncontested divorce if the parties reach a consensus through informal negotiation or structured mediation. 


How Our Ottawa Contested Divorce Lawyers Can Help

Divorce is hard—especially if you and your spouse are currently not able to work out a settlement. At RPB Family Law, we are a trial-tested law firm with extensive experience handling contested divorce cases. Our client reviews tell the story. We provide personalized, solutions-driven legal advocacy. When you reach out to our Ottawa law office, you will have an opportunity to consult with an Ontario contested divorce lawyer who can: 

  • Listen to what you have to say and answer questions about contested divorce;
  • Help you gather, organize, and prepare all supporting documents and records; 
  • Handle the contested divorce paperwork; 
  • Represent you in any pre-trial settlement negotiations; and
  • Develop a comprehensive trial strategy for your contested divorce case.  

Contact Our Ottawa Contested Divorce Lawyer for a Confidential Consultation


At RPB Family Law, our Ottawa contested divorce lawyers have extensive experience handling litigation. If you are locked in a contested divorce case, we are here to help you determine the best path forward. Contact us today for your strictly confidential initial consultation. With an office in Ottawa, we represent clients in contested divorce cases throughout Ontario.