Toronto Separation Agreement Lawyer
Clear advice before you make lasting decisions
When you separate, decisions about your children, your home and your finances can affect your life for years. Whether you are starting negotiations or have been asked to sign an agreement, you need to understand your options and what the proposed terms mean for you.
Thomas J. MacLennan brings over 35 years of experience to family law matters. He helps clients in Toronto and throughout Ontario identify the issues, work through disagreements and prepare separation agreements that address their circumstances.
Call 416-591-1354 or request a consultation to discuss your next steps.
Help preparing or reviewing your agreement
You may already agree on some issues and need help putting those decisions into writing. Or you may be facing difficult negotiations and need advice before responding to your spouse’s proposal. We can help you:
- Understand your rights, responsibilities and the issues that need to be resolved.
- Identify the financial information needed to assess income, assets and debts.
- Negotiate terms that address your family’s needs.
- Draft an agreement with clear obligations and practical arrangements.
- Review a proposed agreement and explain its implications before you sign.
Address the issues that matter to your family
Every separation is different. Depending on your circumstances, your agreement may need to address:
- Parenting arrangements: decision-making, parenting time, holidays, travel and communication.
- Child and spousal support: income information, children’s expenses, payment arrangements and future reviews.
- Property and finances: the family home, savings, debts, pensions and business interests.
- Practical protections: insurance, benefits and a process for addressing future disagreements.
Our role is to help you see the full picture, including matters that may be easy to overlook when you are focused on getting through the separation.
Before you sign a separation agreement
A separation agreement should be based on complete financial information and a clear understanding of its terms. Each person should obtain independent legal advice from their own lawyer before signing. A template or an informal understanding may leave important questions unanswered.
A separation agreement can set out arrangements following separation, but it does not itself end a marriage. If you also need advice about divorce, we can discuss that as part of your next steps.
Take the next step with clear advice
If you have a draft agreement, bring it to your consultation along with your questions. If negotiations have not started, we can discuss your priorities and the information you will need.
Contact Thomas J. MacLennan at 416-591-1354 or request a consultation online.