How We Can Help
We offer a number of services to help you resolve your family law issues in the way that makes the most sense for you. We can help you to decide on the best course of action by considering factors such as the urgency of your matter, the complexity of the issues, the degree of conflict, and the financial resources at your disposal. If you already have an agreement with your spouse or former partner, we can work with you to create a separation or divorce agreement. If you need help reaching an agreement, we can assist you by mediating your dispute, negotiating the issues with your spouse or former partner, or using the collaborative family law process. If court intervention is necessary, we can litigate on your behalf or provide legal coaching to help you resolve the matter on your own.
Legal Consultation
We generally recommend that you start with a legal consultation to review your issues, get some preliminary advice, and determine which processes are best suited to resolving your matter. We offer a free, initial 10 minute consultation to help you decide the best way to proceed. Full legal consultations are billed at Nora’s regular hourly rate of $400 per hour plus GST.
Collaborative Family Law
If you are dedicated to resolving your issues out of court, Collaborative Family Law can be a great option. The collaborative process is focused on finding solutions that work for everyone involved -- you, your spouse, and especially your children -- without the stress and cost of going to court.
For more information about Collaborative Family Law, you can visit collaborativepractice.ca
Legal Coaching
Sometimes, litigation is the only option, but the cost of hiring a lawyer is beyond your financial means. We can help by providing referrals and legal coaching if you choose to represent yourself. Legal coaching services may include:
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Offering suggestions on negotiating parenting, support, or property issues with your former partner.
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Reviewing your pleadings and other court documents and making suggestions on how to improve them.
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Providing tips on preparing for mediation, Family Docket Court, Family Chambers, or other court processes.
With legal coaching, you can get the help you need to resolve your family law issues with no commitment to ongoing legal services.
Mediation
Mediation can offer a low-conflict and cost-effective approach to resolving family law issues. It's most effective for legal matters where both parties are committed to resolving issues without resorting to lengthy negotiations or litigation. Although lawyers can act as mediators, they cannot offer independent legal advice to either party afterward. At LeBlanc Family Law, we can assist you with mediating your matter and then refer you to other lawyers for independent legal advice. Alternatively, if you resolve your matter through another mediator, we can provide the necessary independent legal advice.
Litigation
Litigation is not generally recommended for resolving family law disputes. It involves each party taking a position on the disputed issues and then attempting to persuade the other party to either accept their position or reach a compromise. The threat of going to court is often used as leverage, leading to stress, conflict, and legal costs. If the parties cannot agree, the matter is typically put before a judge or arbitrator, which may result in an outcome that neither party is happy with. In contrast, mediation or collaborative law focuses on finding solutions that satisfy both parties’ interests and needs.
However, there are situations where litigation is necessary.
Sometimes addiction or mental health issues make a negotiated settlement unlikely, or the opposing party refuses to mediate or negotiate in good faith. While my practice aims to settle family disputes whenever possible, I will also take your matter to court in appropriate circumstances.