THE FAMILY LAWYER TRUSTED IN BRAMPTON AND MISSISSAUGA IN ONTARIO
Few areas of legal practice require more compassion, discretion, and insight than family law. You simply must feel comfortable that the lawyer you choose has your future and that of your children at heart. You can count on Mr. Tarunjeet Gujral at every stage of the legal process. He has been helping clients in Mississauga and Brampton, ON navigate through family law issues and get on with their lives.
Services provided by a family lawyer in Brampton & Mississauga, Ontario
When families get involved in a legal battle, it is both physically and emotionally taxing. However, at the Gujral Law Professional Corporation, every effort is made to arrive at resolution with a minimum of expense, distress, and suffering. The practice is equipped to handle areas of family law in Ontario, including:
- Pre-nuptial agreements
- Marriage and domestic contracts
- Legal separation and separation agreement
- Divorce – simple or contested
- Marriage annulment
- Spousal support
- Child custody
- Child support
- Access to children/visitation rights
- Financial disclosure
- Exclusive possession of matrimonial home
- Division of property
- Sale of family property
- Variation in order
- Representation for reinstatement of driver’s license at Family Responsibility Office
About divorce
If you are initiating or presented with divorce papers, you are not alone. An estimated 41 percent of Canadian marriages end, putting qualified divorce lawyers in great demand. Finance is a valid concern for most individuals. However, it is not necessarily in your best interest to look only at divorce lawyer cost when choosing representation. Decisions made now will affect you and your children for many years to come. Bear in mind that when a path is taken (such as not requesting spousal support), it usually cannot be reversed once the divorce is final.
Mr. Gujral is knowledgeable in Ontario family law rules. He takes time to explain the intricacies, helping you make good decisions during this tense time, to protect your interest now and into the future. He strives to keep the process low-stress and moving efficiently through the court system.
FAQs
When can I file for divorce following a separation?
You can immediately file for a divorce at the outset of your separation. However, you must live “separate and apart” from each other for at least one year before the divorce is granted. The exception to this rule is when you can prove that the marriage broke down due to a spouse’s physical or mental cruelty or adultery. You must also be a resident of the province or territory in which you are applying for a divorce for at least 12 months.
Are divorces necessary in “common-law” relationships?
No. While common-law relationships are often viewed as “quasi-marriages,” they are not seen in the same way as a marriage in the eyes of the law. So, divorces are only needed when you are legally married to another person. The divorce, thereby, terminates your legal status as a spouse.
Am I entitled to any spousal support within a common-law relationship?
You may be. You may have a claim as long as you have lived together for at least three years. You must also demonstrate that you limited your own career- and income-making potential to take on family responsibilities (such as child-rearing), and that you will face financial challenges when on your own due to separation. Additionally, you may have a claim if agreements are in place that set forth support obligations in the event of the breakdown of your relationship.
Am I entitled to child support from my common-law partner?
Should you separate and you share a child/children, you are entitled to pursue such support. By Canadian law, all parents are legally obligated to support their children regardless of marital status. The amount of support accounts for the parents’ incomes and the number of children.
I lost my job. Do I still owe child support?
You are still legally obligated to support your children. It is essential to inform the other parent of any changes in your circumstances. You may also need to inform the court and apply for a motion to change the support order. Factors such as your job loss and efforts to find a new job are considered when calculating support.
Can my spouse and I hire you as our divorce lawyer?
Even if everything seems agreeable in terms of the settlement and separation agreement, your spouse needs to hire another lawyer. You need to have two separate lawyers to provide truly independent legal advice. This approach ensures fairness and that each party is aware of their contractual rights, obligations, and potential consequences. Furthermore, if the contract is challenged, you are on much better legal footing for it to be upheld when independent legal advice/representation is maintained.
Is mediation available for family law matters?
Yes. The Canadian courts largely encourage mediation and other forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Our fundamental philosophy at Gujral Law Professional Corporation is to minimize the expense, suffering, and distress associated with already taxing family disputes. Mediation is a helpful way to accomplish this, as it resolves issues without you having to go to court. Tarunjeet Gujral is a trained, experienced, and qualified mediator who can facilitate negotiations and help you reach solutions or agreements in an amicable fashion that also preserves your most valuable relationships in life. Mediation is not appropriate for all family situations, such as those marred by a history of abuse, power imbalances between partners, and other safety-related or urgent concerns (like an ex-partner who is a “flight risk” for taking a child out of the country in a custody dispute).
