Child Custody & Support

The parent requesting supervised parenting time bears the burden of proving that supervision is necessary. It is not enough to simply raise concerns about the other parent. The court must be satisfied that supervision is required to protect the child's best interests.

Under the Federal Child Support Guidelines, income is generally determined using the sources of income reported on a person's tax return. The law does not automatically require the court to average income over several years.

The involvement of a Children's Aid Society can be overwhelming for any family. However, the Society cannot simply remove or intervene with a child without meeting the legal requirements set out in Ontario's Child, Youth and Family Services Act. The law places the burden on the Children's Aid Society to prove, on a balance of probabilities, that a child is in need of protection. If the Society cannot meet that burden, the court must dismiss the protection application. When Is

When parents separate, children should never be placed in the middle of the conflict. Unfortunately, in some cases, one parent may deliberately or unintentionally influence a child to reject the other parent. This is commonly referred to as parental alienation.

When parents separate, one of the most difficult decisions they may face is where their child should attend school. If parents cannot agree, the court has the authority to decide the issue based solely on what is in the child's best interests.

In Ontario, the law focuses on the best interests of the child, not what one parent believes is “fair.”

Navigate hurdles in your life, by understanding family law as it relates to children, a key part of the process.