Welcome to Smith Law’s Burlington Family Law Blog — your source for clear, practical insights on Ontario family law. Our family lawyers share helpful guidance on divorce, custody, parenting arrangements, child support, spousal support, and property division for families across Burlington and the Halton Region.
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Understanding Pension Division in a Burlington Divorce
If you are separating or ending your marriage, understanding pension division Burlington divorce rules is an important part of protecting your financial future. For many couples, a workplace pension is one of the most valuable assets accumulated during a marriage. Ontario family law provides a formal process for valuing and addressing pension benefits after separation.…
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Resolving a Family Cottage Dispute in Burlington
For many families in Burlington, a cottage is far more than a recreational property. A Family Cottage Dispute Burlington families experience can involve significant financial and emotional issues, particularly as cottages reopen for the summer season across Ontario. Whether the cottage was purchased during the marriage, inherited from family members, or owned before marriage, Ontario…
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What If My Spouse Won’t Sign Divorce Papers in Burlington?
One of the biggest worries people in Burlington face when starting the divorce process is what happens if their spouse won’t sign divorce papers. Many people assume that a divorce cannot proceed unless both spouses agree. Fortunately, Ontario law does not work that way. While an uncooperative spouse can create delays, additional legal steps, and…
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Ex Refuses to Leave the House in Burlington? What You Can Do Under Ontario Family Law
Separation can become even more stressful when former spouses continue living under the same roof. If your ex refuses to leave the house in Burlington, Ontario family law may provide options — but the answer depends on your circumstances, whether the home is jointly owned, rented, or owned by one spouse alone. In Burlington, many…
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Moving With Kids in Burlington After Separation
Moving with kids in Burlington after separation can create difficult legal and practical issues for parents. Common questions involve relocation notices, parenting schedules, and whether court approval is needed before a move. Even when a move seems reasonable — because of employment, housing, family support, or a new relationship — relocating with children can significantly…
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Kids Skipping School in Burlington: What Separated Parents Should Know
Kids skipping school in Burlington can create serious stress for separated or divorced parents, especially when they cannot agree on how to respond. Sometimes a child refuses to attend school because of anxiety, stress, bullying, or difficulty adjusting to two households. In other cases, one parent may be allowing repeated absences during their parenting time…
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Who Pays for College After Divorce in Burlington
If you are going through a separation or divorce in Burlington, you may be wondering who pays for college after divorce in Burlington and what your financial responsibilities may be for your child’s education. While this is a common concern, the answer is not always straightforward. Ontario family law applies in Burlington, and in many…
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Joint Debts After Separation in Burlington
Separating couples dealing with joint debts after separation in Burlington often face difficult financial questions, especially when it comes to shared financial obligations. Whether it involves a shared mortgage, credit cards, or personal loans, understanding how these obligations are treated is essential. Ontario family law applies in Burlington, and it governs how debts are handled…
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Do You Need a Child Travel Consent Letter in Burlington?
When a child travels outside Canada from Burlington, parents may need a child travel consent letter if one or both parents are not accompanying the child. Ontario family law applies in Burlington. However, federal guidelines and international border practices largely shape travel requirements. Many families travel through Toronto Pearson International Airport or cross the U.S.…
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Property Bought Before Marriage in Burlington
What Happens to Property Bought Before Marriage in a Burlington Divorce? When a marriage ends in Burlington, dividing property is often one of the most significant financial issues. Many people assume that if they purchased property before marriage, it automatically remains theirs after separation. However, under Ontario’s Family Law Act, property division does not always…
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Grandparents’ Access Rights in Burlington
Grandparents often play a stabilizing and deeply meaningful role in a child’s life. They may provide childcare, emotional guidance, cultural continuity, and extended family support. When adult relationships break down due to separation, divorce, remarriage, or conflict, grandparents can suddenly lose contact with grandchildren they have helped raise. Understanding how Ontario family law applies in…
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When Winter Roads Disrupt Parenting Time in Burlington
For separated or divorced parents in Burlington and surrounding Halton Region communities, winter weather can quickly turn a routine parenting-time exchange into a serious safety and legal decision. Snow squalls, freezing rain, black ice, and Ontario Provincial Police travel advisories often make travel unsafe. In these moments, many families turn to Burlington family lawyers for…
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What Should Burlington Parents Know About Christmas Custody Disputes?
Each year, more Burlington families find themselves navigating conflict over Christmas parenting time. As school holidays lengthen, blended families grow, and traditions change, disagreements about Christmas schedules have become increasingly common. Understanding how Ontario law approaches holiday parenting issues allows parents to prepare early and avoid stressful, last-minute disputes. Many Burlington family lawyers now report…
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Separation Agreements in Burlington
Navigating a separation can be emotionally and financially stressful, but a well-drafted separation agreement offers clarity, stability, and peace of mind. Consulting a Burlington family lawyer can help couples resolve issues privately and efficiently—saving time, money, and unnecessary conflict. When a relationship ends, many couples want to avoid a lengthy and stressful court battle. A…
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Custody and Access in Burlington
When parents separate or divorce, one of the most important issues they face is how decisions will be made for their children and how time will be shared. Consulting Burlington family lawyers can help guide you through these complex matters. While many people still use the terms custody and access, Ontario’s Divorce Act now uses…
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Can Therapy Help With Parental Alienation in Burlington?
Parental alienation can leave deep emotional scars on families in Burlington. It occurs when a child becomes estranged from one parent because of the influence or behavior of the other, leading to resentment, avoidance, or outright refusal of contact. While legal remedies exist, many parents ask whether therapy can truly help heal these fractured relationships.…
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What If My Ex Spends Child Support Money on Themselves?
You expect child support payments to help cover your child’s food, clothing, and other essentials. But what if you discover your ex is spending that money on themselves instead? It’s a situation that can feel unfair and frustrating. For many separated or divorced parents in Burlington, understanding your rights—and the limits of enforcement—is the first…
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Do I Get a Share of the House if It’s Only in My Ex’s Name?
When couples in Burlington separate, one of the hardest questions is: “Do I get a share of the house if it’s only in my ex’s name?” Many people discover their name isn’t on the title after years of shared living, leading to confusion about what’s fair. Ontario law treats property ownership differently depending on whether…
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What If My Ex Declares Bankruptcy in Burlington—Do I Still Get Child or Spousal Support?
When a former spouse or partner in Burlington declares bankruptcy, one of the first questions that often comes up is: “Do I still receive child support or spousal support?” The thought that an ex might use bankruptcy to escape legal and financial obligations can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, Ontario law has clear rules that protect support…