Your Family Lawyer in Toronto:
Divorce Negotiation to Reach a Settlement

What is “negotiation”?

As a family lawyer, I also handle “traditional divorce negotiation”. In traditional negotiation, I would still help you to resolve all of your family law issues as a result of your separation/divorce, with the goal of reaching a separation agreement. In general, negotiating with your spouse, or his/her lawyer, may involve having discussions over the telephone, by email, by letter, or in a meeting. As I no longer represent clients in court, if your matter escalated to requiring court intervention, I would withdraw as your family lawyer and would help you transition smoothly to working with a divorce litigation lawyer.

Why choose negotiation?

I recommend clients use traditional negotiation where mediation or collaborative practice are not possible process options to resolve a case. Traditional negotiation is chosen for two main reasons:

• A client may not have another option outside of expensive litigation, because the other party has chosen not to voluntarily engage in mediation or collaborative practice.
• Negotiation is a good choice when parties aren’t comfortable speaking to each other, being in the same room, or require more "hands on" lawyer involvement in their case. There may be issues of distrust, abuse, or other forms of conflict. In such situations, the family lawyers negotiate on behalf of the parties involved, and then report back to their clients.

How does the process begin?

If you decide you want to retain me to negotiate with your spouse, you and I would meet for a consultation. We would agree on how you would want me to negotiate on your behalf (i.e., What style of advocacy would best suit your case? Would you want to have face-to-face meetings with your spouse? Would you want to do any of the negotiating yourself?). I would then approach your spouse and/or his/her family lawyer to begin negotiating on your behalf. Once all of the issues are resolved, I would work with the other family lawyer to draft a separation agreement.

What’s the cost of resolving a case through negotiation ?

I charge an hourly rate, so the total cost of retaining me as your family lawyer depends on the length of time involved. Unfortunately, it’s hard to estimate how long a case will take. Some cases resolve quickly, and others take a long time.

Are your mediation services restricted to the Toronto area?

Although I am a Toronto family lawyer, I provide family and divorce negotiation services to couples and families across the Greater Toronto Area. My practice is not restricted to working other Toronto family lawyers.

What’s the difference between you and other family lawyers?

• I’ve acted as a family lawyer in hundreds of cases, from simple to complex.
• My hourly rate is very competitive with other lawyers.
• I maintain a compassionate approach while resolving family legal disputes.