Divorce & Family Lawyer Vaughan

The complexity of these cases often requires the expertise of an experienced attorney who can provide essential guidance and support throughout the process. Suppose you are in a situation where you are thinking about separation, starting a divorce, or have questions about custody or support. In that case, you deserve steady guidance, and at Stephen Durbin & Associates, our Vaughan family lawyers help you understand your options, protect your rights, and help you make decisions with confidence. 

Our firm has a strong reputation in Vaughan for assisting families with complex legal matters, and we have helped numerous clients successfully navigate challenging family law situations.

About Our Vaughan Family Law Practice

For over 30 years, we have supported families throughout Ontario. As a trusted family law firm, we combine legal knowledge with compassion. We listen to your story, explain your options in plain language, and stand with you every step of the way. Our insight into each client’s situation enables us to determine the best path forward, ensuring that our legal strategies are tailored to your specific goals and circumstances. When a court is required, we are ready to advocate for you.

We serve clients throughout Vaughan and the surrounding area, located near Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and Vaughan Mills.

Our Vaughan Divorce Lawyers are Focused on a Fair Path

Divorce is not only a legal process. It affects your home, finances, and children. Our role is to guide you with a calm and well-planned approach.

• Uncontested divorce: We prepare the documents, ensure proper service and filing, and confirm details are correct so the process runs smoothly.
• Contested divorce: When there are disputes about parenting, support, or property, we help you set goals, gather disclosure, and pursue a fair settlement.
• Post-divorce: Circumstances can change. If support or parenting terms need to be updated later, our associates will help with variations and enforcement.

Building trust with your lawyer and maintaining a cooperative approach are essential for a smoother divorce process and better outcomes. Throughout the process, we provide clear timelines and checklists, ensuring you always know what information is required and why.

Our Family Law Services in Vaughan

Local Divorce Lawyer

We guide you throughout the divorce process from filing, disclosure to negotiation and related family law matters, if needed, proceeding with the court. Our goal is to achieve a fair and practical outcome, whether your matter is uncontested or contested.

Parenting: Decision-Making Responsibility & Parenting Time

We help create clear, child-focused parenting plans that cover school schedules, weekends, holidays, travel, and how parents will communicate and make decisions about health, education, and activities. Where safe and appropriate, we use tools that reduce conflict while keeping both parents involved. Many plans settle by agreement or mediation; if a court is required, we focus on evidence, structure, and your child’s best interests.

Child Support

We calculate child support using the Federal Child Support Guidelines, then factor in special or “extraordinary” expenses (like childcare, medical needs, and activities). If income changes, we review and adjust support where the law allows. Because Ontario’s family law rules overlap with federal rules, clear legal guidance helps you avoid mistakes. We provide full financial disclosure, ensuring the numbers are complete and easy to follow. In Vaughan, payments are based primarily on the paying parent’s income, along with the number of children and parenting time.

Spousal Support

Entitlement, amount, and duration can be complex. We assess likely ranges using recognized tools, explain tax treatment and budget impact in plain language, and seek fair, predictable arrangements that support your next chapter.

Property Division & Equalization

Our team guides you through disclosure and Ontario’s equalization rules, ensuring you understand what’s included, what may be excluded, and how values are determined, covering the family home and real estate, pensions, RRSPs/TFSAs, businesses and professional practices, as well as debts and post-separation expenses. In our experience, accurate records help reduce conflict and ensure settlements are more lasting.

Separation & Cohabitation Agreements

Strong agreements prevent future disputes. We draft, review, and finalize clear, enforceable terms on parenting, support, and property so you have certainty going forward.

Mediation & Other Ways to Settle

We find that going to court isn’t always the best first step. Many families reach respectful solutions through mediation or negotiation so we prepare you with a clear list of issues and goals, organized disclosure, and realistic settlement options and fallback plans. If a fair agreement isn’t possible, we move ahead with a focused litigation plan.

Family Law Litigation

When court is necessary, our experienced litigators advocate firmly for your rights in parenting, support, and property disputes. We prepare you thoroughly and guide you through each stage with clear timelines and next steps.

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Why People Choose our Family Law Services in Vaughan

Experience that matters: With over three decades of experience in family law, we have handled a wide range of cases, from simple files to complex cases and everything in between. That experience helps us identify risks early, manage costs, and keep your file moving.

Compassion and clarity: We explain each step in plain English. You will know what is happening, why it matters, and what comes next.

Negotiation first, litigation when needed: Most files settle through negotiation or mediation. If a fair solution is not possible, we are firm and focused in court.

Responsive service: You should never feel left in the dark. We return calls and emails promptly and give you practical next steps.

Guiding You Through Divorce & Family Matters – Simple, Steady Process

1. Mediation first, when appropriate: In Ontario, families are encouraged to try mediation and negotiation before court. It’s less adversarial, often faster and more cost-effective, and can lead to more workable, respectful solutions.
2. Equalization of property: For married spouses, Ontario law provides a statutory right to equalize net family property after separation or divorce.
3. Full financial disclosure: Honest, complete disclosure is required in Ontario family law. It’s essential for fair decisions about property division, child support, and spousal support.
4. Separation agreements by consent: In most cases, the goal is an explicit, mutually acceptable separation agreement so you can move forward without a prolonged court battle.
5. Litigation as a last resort: When rights or safety need protection and settlement isn’t possible, we’re prepared to go to court. We use litigation strategically, knowing it can be costly, time-consuming, and stressful.

Divorce in Vaughan: What to Expect & Family Law FAQs

Speak With a Vaughan Family Lawyer Today

Our Vaughan office is conveniently located, close to the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC), with a 2–3 minute drive or a 6–7 minute walk. If you are coming from closer to Vaughan Mills, to the northwest, then we are about a 9–12 minute drive. We also offer phone and video meetings if that’s easier, keeping the process convenient and low-stress.

You don’t have to handle this alone. A short conversation with our family & divorce lawyer can bring clarity and calm. We’ll listen, answer your questions, and outline your next steps.

Call Stephen Durbin & Associates to book a confidential consultation with a local divorce lawyer. Choosing a Vaughan lawyer who is familiar with the local courts and procedures can make the process smoother. With over 30 years of experience and a caring team, we are there to guide you whether you need help with divorce, parenting, support, or property division.

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