Going Through a Separation or Divorce?
If you have children and are going through a separation or divorce process, perhaps the most significant cause of stress are questions surrounding what happens to the children following the breakdown of your marriage. Who will have decision-making responsibility? Where will the children live during the separation? How will they be affected? After you retain Kain & Ball to assist you with your child matter and help you develop a comprehensive custody agreement.
The lawyers at Kain & Ball have dealt with child custody matters across the GTA and in forums in Toronto. In addition, the lawyers at Kain & Ball have considerable experience in dealing with interprovincial and international custody disputes and Applications under the Hague Convention.
We’re in your corner. Our Family Lawyers in the Greater Toronto Area have helped hundreds of clients navigate and understand child custody agreements.
What is a Custody Agreement?
Custody agreements are parenting plans which outline the decision-making responsibilities of each parent. They can be informal agreements between two parents or a formal part of your separation agreement and divorce. Ultimately, the goal of parenting plans is to maintain the best interest of the child.
Three Types of Decision-Making Responsibility
Sole Decision Making Responsibility
One parent has the right to make important decisions about child’s care, education, religious instruction and welfare. This is the most common form of decision-making responsibility. Although one parent retains the right to make fundamental decisions regarding the child’s upbringing, the other parent may express their opinions on important issues.
Joint Decision Making Responsibility
Both parents consult each other and make decisions on the child’s wellbeing together. Cooperation is vital here as parents should work together to determine and maintain their children’s best interests.
Split Decision Making Responsibility
One are responsible for making some decisions, while the other parent is responsible for other decisions. This is a unique form of decision-making responsibility as courts are not inclined to separate siblings during separation and divorce.
Why You Need An Experienced Access and Child Custody Lawyer Toronto
At Kain and Ball Family Law, we have the experience and expertise to provide you with the right advice and strategy to negotiate the right custody, access, and residence arrangements for your family.
Our legal team has experience across the whole spectrum of child-related issues: from child protection matters and experience with the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) to dealing with the Office of the Children’s Lawyer (OCL) and custody and access assessments to dealing with mobility issues. At your free consultation, we will discuss your issues and ensure that you are matched with the best lawyer on our team to fulfill your needs.
Benefits of a Comprehensive Parenting Plan
Create a Stable Environment for Children
Separation and divorce are just as difficult for children, as it is with their parents. An effective plan can make the transition to two separate households less stressful. A parenting plan ensures children continue to receive support and care from both parents while also catering to a child’s changing needs.
Minimize Conflict
By addressing critical points of contention in a parenting plan, parents can prevent many future conflicts. The less friction there is present in a family or household, the better it will be for everyone involved, especially the children. Ultimately, custody agreements bring clarity during a time of uncertainty.
Sets a Guideline for Future Plans
The ultimate goal of a parenting plan and determining decision-making responsibility is to reduce conflict by setting our expectations for each parent and identifying parenting roles and responsibilities. Therefore when situations arise where parents must make important decisions regarding the children, there are clear instructions.
Reduce Legal Fees
Parenting plans present an opportunity for parents to identify and solve possible issues without court intervention. When possible, using alternatives to the court process allows parents to have more control and freedom in the decisions regarding their children.
Choosing the Best Family Lawyers in the GTA
Retaining the best legal team for you is an important decision. It’s essential for you to feel a connection with the lawyer you are choosing. Every person is different; for some people, it’s based on personality; for others, it’s experience. Overall, you want to choose someone knowledgeable and honest.
Good counsel provides professional advice, specifically catered to their client’s family constellations, financial circumstances, values, and personalities. At Kain Family Law, we match you with a Family Lawyer for your custody agreement Toronto. For information on custody of pets, we’ve developed an in-depth look to understanding custody of pets in separation.
Kain Law is Toronto’s Top Family Law Firm
Kain & Ball was founded by Anita T. Kain and David R. Ball, two veteran Bay Street lawyers with the shared vision of providing the very best legal advice and representation to family law clients. Kain & Ball opened its doors in 1993 with this mandate and has continued to grow over the years. In the transformations and expansions that our firm has undergone in the years that have passed, one thing remains constant and always will: our commitment to our clients.
Our qualified team of family lawyers has dealt with a wide range of cases including child support, divorce and separation, spousal support, division of property, litigation services, mediation services and other marriage contracts. We have the skills, knowledge, and experience to ensure a fair custody agreement for you and your family.
To book a free 30-minute free consultation with a family lawyer in Toronto, contact us at 647 499 4888 or e-mail us at contact@kainfamilylaw.com
