Family lawyer for Barrie and Simcoe County
We help Barrie families with divorce, separation agreements, parenting, support and property, with clear advice about your options, the likely cost and what to expect at the Barrie courthouse.
Your family court and how we meet
Family cases in Barrie are heard by the Superior Court of Justice, Family Court, at the Barrie Courthouse, 75 Mulcaster Street. That court can deal with divorce, parenting, child and spousal support, and property in the same case.
- By video or phone, the way most Barrie clients work with us, with documents signed electronically
- In person at our Mississauga or North York offices
- Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., by appointment
- Your court
- Superior Court of Justice, Family Court, Barrie Courthouse, 75 Mulcaster Street, Barrie, ON L4M 3P2
- How we meet
- Video and phone, or in person in Mississauga or North York
What happens if your case goes to court
Most families settle through negotiation, mediation or a separation agreement. When a court case is needed, it usually moves through these stages.
- ApplicationSets out what you are asking for and is served on the other party.
- Information sessionA free Mandatory Information Program on the process and options.
- Financial disclosureSworn financial statements with proof of income, assets and debts.
- Case conferenceAn informal meeting with a judge to narrow the issues and push for settlement.
- Settlement or trialA settlement conference, and a trial only for what is left.
Served with family court papers? If you were served in Ontario, you usually have 30 days to respond. Call 289-652-0529 so we can review them with you.
How a Barrie family lawyer can help
Separation affects your children, your finances and often your home. We help you make those decisions with a clear view of the law and the cost.
Divorce
Uncontested, joint and contested divorces, from the application to the divorce certificate.
Divorce in Ontario guideSeparation agreements
Drafting, negotiating or reviewing an agreement that settles parenting, support and property without court.
Separation agreementsParenting and custody
Decision-making responsibility, parenting time and relocation, built around your children's best interests.
Child custody guideChild and spousal support
Guideline child support, section 7 expenses, and whether spousal support is owed and for how long.
Child support in OntarioProperty and the home
Equalization of net family property, the matrimonial home, pensions and business interests.
The matrimonial homeCommon-law separation
Support, parenting and property claims for unmarried couples, which follow different rules from married spouses.
Common-law property rightsWhen can you get divorced?
In Ontario, the usual ground for divorce is living separate and apart for at least one year. You do not have to wait to start: parenting, support and property can be settled right away, and the divorce itself follows once the year has passed. You can be separated while living in the same house.
Who keeps the house?
If you are married, both spouses have an equal right to live in the matrimonial home, whoever is on title, until an agreement or court order says otherwise. Neither spouse can sell or mortgage it without the other's consent or a court order. Its value is shared through equalization of net family property, and a matrimonial home owned before the marriage is generally not deducted the way other pre-marriage assets are.
The usual options are a buyout, a sale, or a delayed sale while children finish school. Equalization claims have time limits, so get advice early. If you are not married, different rules apply; see common-law property rights.
Common-law couples in Barrie
Many people believe that living together for three years gives them the same property rights as married spouses. It does not. In Ontario, unmarried partners do not have an automatic right to share property or to possession of the home. A partner who contributed to property in the other's name may have a claim for unjust enrichment or a constructive trust, which depends heavily on the facts.
Common-law partners can still claim child support and, after three years together (or sooner if you have a child together), spousal support. Parenting rules are the same for married and unmarried parents.
Children, parenting time and support
Ontario law now uses "decision-making responsibility" and "parenting time" instead of custody and access. Every decision is based on the child's best interests. If one parent wants to move with the children, the relocation rules require at least 60 days' written notice, and the other parent can object. Read our child custody guide.
Child support is calculated under the Child Support Guidelines, mainly from the paying parent's income and the parenting schedule. If each parent has the children at least 40% of the time, the calculation changes; see the 40% rule.
Free and low-cost help in Barrie
- Family Law Information Centre: free information about the court process and forms at the Barrie courthouse.
- Family duty counsel: Legal Aid Ontario lawyers at the courthouse can give free advice to people who qualify financially.
- Legal Aid Ontario: 1-800-668-8258 for eligibility and services, including help for people experiencing family violence.
- Mediation: subsidized family mediation is available through the court for eligible families.
If you are in danger, call 911.
What a family lawyer in Barrie costs
Fees depend on how much work your case needs, and agreement is almost always cheaper than litigation. These are the three broad paths, from least to most work.
Advice or agreement review
A consultation, or reviewing a separation agreement before you sign, including independent legal advice.
Negotiated settlement
Disclosure, negotiation or mediation, and a signed separation agreement or a joint or uncontested divorce.
Contested court case
Court applications, conferences and motions, and possibly a trial, when the issues cannot be settled.
Court fees for a divorce were about $669 at the time of writing. See our 2026 family lawyer cost guide, and ask about payment plans or help with specific steps only.
Experience on both sides of the courtroom
Our goal for every client is simple: honest advice, a clear plan and a fair, lasting result, with regular updates on your case along the way.
- Law degree, 2004, and an LL.M. from Osgoode HallA Master of Laws in Family Law and Criminal Law from Osgoode Hall Law School.
- Court Registrar and Crown AttorneyBefore focusing on family law, experience inside the court system, so we prepare your case the way judges expect to see it.
- Family law todaySeparation, divorce, parenting and support for families across Ontario, in four languages.
Questions Barrie clients ask
For advice on your own situation, book a consultation or call 289-652-0529.
Where is family court in Barrie?
Family cases in Barrie are heard by the Superior Court of Justice, Family Court, at the Barrie Courthouse, 75 Mulcaster Street, Barrie, ON L4M 3P2.
Can I hire a family lawyer who is not based in Barrie?
Yes. Any lawyer licensed in Ontario can act for you in the Barrie court. We work with Barrie clients by video and phone, share documents electronically, and discuss up front whether any in-person court attendance is needed.
How long do we have to be separated before we can divorce?
One year, in most cases. You can start the paperwork earlier, but the court will not grant the divorce until a full year of separation has passed. You can be separated while living in the same house.
Do common-law partners in Ontario split property 50/50?
No. Unmarried partners do not have an automatic right to share property. A partner may have a claim based on unjust enrichment or a constructive trust, depending on their contributions. Child and spousal support rights still apply.
Can my spouse sell the house without my consent?
If it is the matrimonial home and you are married, no. Your spouse needs your written consent or a court order to sell or mortgage it, whoever is on title.
How is child support calculated?
Mainly from the paying parent's income, the number of children and the parenting schedule, using the Child Support Guidelines. Special expenses such as child care are usually shared in proportion to income.
Is there free family law help in Barrie?
Yes. The Family Law Information Centre at the Barrie courthouse gives free information, and Legal Aid Ontario family duty counsel can give free advice to people who qualify financially.
Do I have to go to court to separate?
No. Many couples settle everything in a separation agreement, through negotiation or mediation, without ever going to court.
Communities we serve in Simcoe County
We work with clients in Barrie and across Simcoe County, including:
- Barrie
- Innisfil
- Springwater
- Oro-Medonte
- Essa and Angus
- Bradford West Gwillimbury
- New Tecumseth and Alliston
- Orillia
- Wasaga Beach
- Collingwood
We also serve Newmarket, Bolton, Brampton and the GTA from our Mississauga office. See all of our locations.
Talk to a family lawyer about your Barrie case
Tell us what is happening and we will explain your options, the likely next steps and what it may cost.
Video and phone consultations for Barrie clients
In person: 55 Village Centre Place, Suite 200, Mississauga
Toronto virtual office: 52 Fort York Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 4A6
Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., by appointment
289-652-0529