A parenting plan or custody and access agreement can be negotiated as a stand-alone agreement or as part of a separation agreement. We have talented lawyers that are available to help you understand how to best approach negotiating an agreement that is best for you and your child(ren).
Our approach involves the following steps.
Step one: Free Consultation – At ON Separation we provide a free consultation to help you understand the law pertaining to your parenting issues. We then help you understand the factors that courts consider when determining issues like the Best Interests of the Child(ren). We then help you understand how your facts support a potential argument for the parenting agreement that you are seeking. After this consultation you will be better able to decide whether you want to have one of our lawyers draft a proposal to your child’s other parent.
Step two: Drafting a proposal – Our lawyers are selected in part, because they are talented at drafting parenting proposals. We draft a proposal that includes the caselaw and legislation to justify our position regarding the parenting plan or custody and access agreement that we believe is appropriate. We demonstrate to the other parent that considering the law and the particular circ*mstances of your matter, our proposal is appropriate.
Step three: Serving and negotiating – After your parenting agreement is drafted, we hire a process server to formally serve the other party. We then negotiate with the party by explaining to the opposing party that we can avoid the costs that flow from a contested hearing if we reach an agreement. Further, because in family court, the losing party must pay a portion of the winning party’s fees, and we demonstrate that we will be the winning party, it is in the opposing party’s best interest to reach an agreement.
Step four: File the agreement with the court – The fourth and final step to resolving your parenting issue is filing it with the court. Once this happens it becomes enforceable with the court.
Contact us today to further understand the law surrounding parenting in Ontario or to begin the process of having a lawyer advocate for a parenting arrangement that helps you meet the best interests of your child(ren).
