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Family lawyer in Scarborough
Looking for a family lawyer in Scarborough? We help Scarborough families with divorce, separation agreements, parenting, support and property, including families with marriages, property or relatives outside Canada.
Your family court and how we meet
Scarborough is part of Toronto. Divorce and property cases are heard by the Superior Court of Justice at 393 University Avenue. Cases about parenting or support only can also be started in the Ontario Court of Justice at 47 Sheppard Avenue East in North York. Your lawyer will tell you which court fits your case.
- In person at 77 Finch Avenue East, Unit 807, North York
- By video or phone, which many Scarborough clients prefer, with documents signed electronically
- Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., by appointment
- Your court
- Superior Court of Justice, Family Court, 393 University Avenue, Toronto (divorce and property); Ontario Court of Justice, 47 Sheppard Avenue East, North York (some parenting and support cases)
- Nearest office
- 77 Finch Avenue East, Unit 807, North York, ON M2N 6H8
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 Scarborough 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 homeForeign and religious marriages
Divorce, recognition and property questions when a marriage or divorce took place outside Canada or was religious only.
Religious marriagesWhen 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.
When your family has ties outside Canada
Many Scarborough families have a marriage, property or relatives in another country. These issues come up often:
- Marriages performed abroad: a valid foreign marriage is generally recognized in Ontario, and you can usually divorce here if either spouse has lived in Ontario for at least one year.
- Foreign or religious divorces: whether a divorce granted outside Canada is recognized depends on the circumstances. A religious divorce on its own does not end a civil marriage in Ontario. See religious law and Ontario family law.
- Property outside Canada: property in another country is still included when Ontario courts calculate net family property, so it must be disclosed.
- Travel with children: a parenting plan should say whether either parent may travel abroad with the children and what consent is needed.
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 Toronto
- Family Law Information Centre: free information about the court process and forms at the Toronto family courthouses.
- 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 Scarborough 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 Scarborough clients ask
For advice on your own situation, book a consultation or call 289-652-0529.
Which court handles family cases for Scarborough?
Scarborough is part of Toronto. Divorce and property cases are heard by the Superior Court of Justice at 393 University Avenue. Parenting and support cases without a divorce or property claim can also be started in the Ontario Court of Justice at 47 Sheppard Avenue East, North York.
Do you have an office in Scarborough?
No. Our Toronto address is 77 Finch Avenue East, Unit 807, North York. Meetings are by appointment, and many Scarborough clients meet with us by video.
Can I get divorced in Ontario if we married in another country?
Usually yes. A valid foreign marriage is generally recognized in Ontario, and you can apply for a divorce here if either spouse has lived in Ontario for at least one year before applying.
Does a religious divorce end my marriage in Ontario?
Not on its own. A civil marriage in Ontario ends with a divorce order from a Canadian court or a foreign divorce that Canadian law recognizes.
Is property in another country included in a divorce?
Yes. When Ontario calculates net family property, property outside Canada is included and must be disclosed.
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.
Can I speak to a lawyer in Urdu, Punjabi or Hindi?
Yes. Nasar Iqbal provides advice in English, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi.
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.
Areas we serve in Scarborough
We work with clients across Scarborough, including:
- Agincourt
- Malvern
- Scarborough Village
- Woburn
- Cliffside
- Birch Cliff
- Wexford
- Rouge
- Highland Creek
- West Hill
- Morningside
- Milliken
We also serve Toronto, North York, Richmond Hill and Vaughan. See all of our locations.
Talk to a family lawyer about your Scarborough case
Tell us what is happening and we will explain your options, the likely next steps and what it may cost.
77 Finch Avenue East, Unit 807
North York, ON M2N 6H8
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