Family lawyer for London, Ontario
Looking for a family lawyer in London, Ontario? We help London and Middlesex County families with divorce, separation agreements, parenting, support and property, with clear advice about your options and the cost.
Your family court and how we meet
London is one of the places in Ontario with a Family Court branch of the Superior Court of Justice, at the London Courthouse, 80 Dundas Street. That one court can deal with divorce, parenting, child and spousal support, and property in the same case.
- By video or phone, the way most London clients work with us, with documents signed electronically
- In person at our Mississauga or Oakville offices
- Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., by appointment
- Your court
- Superior Court of Justice, Family Court, London Courthouse, 80 Dundas Street, London, ON N6A 6A3
- How we meet
- Video and phone, or in person in Mississauga or Oakville
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 London 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.
Working with a family lawyer outside London
Any lawyer licensed in Ontario can act for you in the London court. Working remotely is common in family law now:
- Meetings: consultations and updates by video or phone, at times that suit your work and childcare.
- Documents: forms and financial disclosure are shared and signed electronically, and many court documents can be filed online.
- Court steps: many case conferences and motions can take place by video, depending on the court's current practice. Where you need to attend in person, we discuss travel and cost with you up front.
If you prefer a lawyer you can visit in London, that is a reasonable choice. Ask any lawyer you speak with how they handle communication and court attendance.
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 London
- Family Law Information Centre: free information about the court process and forms at the London 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 London 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 London clients ask
For advice on your own situation, book a consultation or call 289-652-0529.
Where is family court in London, Ontario?
Family cases in London are heard by the Family Court branch of the Superior Court of Justice at the London Courthouse, 80 Dundas Street, London, ON N6A 6A3.
Can I hire a family lawyer who is not based in London?
Yes. Any lawyer licensed in Ontario can act for you in the London court. We work with London clients by video and phone and share documents electronically.
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. 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 London?
Yes. The Family Law Information Centre at the London 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.
Areas we serve around London
We work with clients in London and across Middlesex County, including:
- Downtown London
- Old North
- Old South
- Wortley Village
- Byron
- Westmount
- White Oaks
- Masonville
- Hyde Park
- Lambeth
- Argyle
- Strathroy
We also serve Woodstock, Kitchener, Hamilton and the GTA from our Mississauga office. See all of our locations.
Talk to a family lawyer about your London 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 London 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