Chown Cairns Lawyers LLP

If you want to file for divorce, have been served divorce papers or are simply considering divorce, you may have questions about what is involved. In order to dissolve a marriage in Ontario, you must prove in the Superior Court of Justice that you are legally married and that your marital relationship has broken down. The steps for divorce begin with preparing and filing an application with the court. The best way to navigate the process of a divorce in Ontario is to hire a Family Law lawyer to guide and advise you. This blog will provide information about divorce that you should know. Determine grounds for filing for divorce You will need to establish that you are entitled to a divorce.  Canada’s Divorce Act identifies the basis for a divorce as “marriage break down.” The three accepted grounds for divorce in Canada include: Adultery Abuse or Cruelty Separation A one year separation or a no fault divorce is the most common and best way to pursue a divorce in Ontario. Once you are sepa

In Canada, an estate planning tax is just one of the costs that your loved ones will incur upon your death. Others include funeral expenses and the payment of debts. The number of potential costs and their financial impact is why planning to minimize estate planning taxes is an important part of comprehensive  estate planning . Depending on the size of your estate, estate planning taxes (or “estate administration tax”) can be significant. In Ontario, for example, this tax (formerly known as probate fees) can equal 1.5 to 2% of the value of your estate. This tax is in addition to the taxes levied on your savings accounts and capital gains upon your death. If it sounds complicated and like there are a lot of fees to worry about, it is because it is and there are. But there are methods to minimize the estate planning tax and the process less onerous for your loved ones. Here are two of the most popular methods: Joint Ownership of Assets Jointly held assets do not, typically, form a part o

Creating an estate plan is necessary to ensure that your assets are distributed and handled on your terms upon your death. Your Niagara Wills and Estates lawyer will help you to create the documents necessary to implement those wishes. The questions that you will be asked during your meeting with an estate planning lawyer will be tough, so it is  important to be prepared.  You will need to understand your personal and financial objectives and be honest about how your decisions will affect your family members and associates after your death. Establishing your estate plan When you meet with an estate planning lawyer to develop your plan, you will be setting out your estate planning goals and objectives, including how you will provide financial security for your family, the distribution options and determining who will be your children’s legal guardian in the event of premature death. In order to create your estate plan, your lawyer will ask you questions that establish your objectives an

In your initial meeting with a Family Law lawyer, the goal will be to understand your specific circumstances and your legal needs. During this meeting, you and the lawyer will address a number of topics including how the process of a Family Law case works, issues related to your minor children, potential support arrangements, asset and liability resolutions, and the possible fees and costs. In order for the lawyer to address all of these matters, you will need to come prepared. Being prepared for your first meeting will enable the Family Law lawyer provide you with comprehensive information and to advise you about what to do next.  Click here to learn how to prepare for your first meeting with a family lawyer . Expect to review your potential issues   The  Niagara Family Law lawyer  will review with you the issues relevant to your circumstances and will make assessments based on the information that you have provided. You will discuss the process for your specific case as it pertains t

Employment law is complex and fact-intensive. Sometimes it can be difficult for an employee to have a case brought to trial, as a high burden of proof exists for the employee. Because of the complexity of these cases, you should talk to an employment lawyer if you believe you were a victim of wrongful dismissal, employment contract violation or any other employment issue. An employee should prepare the following before meeting with a St. Catharines employment lawyer to have an effective first meeting: A chronological and detailed summary of your employment The date you were hired Any information on performance evaluations, awards or promotions The date any dispute or issue began The type of issue (harassment, employment contract violation, wrongful termination) Who, what, why, where and when details of the issue Gather important documentation Employment contract Non-competition agreement Employee guidelines or handbook Performance evaluations Benefits plan Severance agreement Any commu

Facing criminal charges is a difficult and often embarrassing situation. On top of the stress of your impending case, the process of finding, meeting, and learning how to work with a criminal defence lawyer can be difficult. Meeting with a lawyer prior to your case will provide you with peace of mind and will ensure that your rights are protected and that you have access to a fair trial. A criminal defence lawyer can be the difference between innocence and guilt or staying in or out of jail. You will have many questions prior to meeting with your criminal lawyer, but without preparation, you’ll fail to receive the answers you want. Before your initial consultation with your criminal lawyers, have the following prepared. Preparing for your meeting Collecting all the documents that you have about your case is the first step in preparation, and these may include: The arrest record The police file Your criminal record Your motor vehicle records (if the charge is motor-related) Your medical

The information that you provide to your business lawyer will be analyzed so that a legal plan can be created to meet the needs of your business. Dependent on the reason for your first meeting with a Niagara business lawyer you will need to bring a number of items for documentation and review. The following are best practice items that your lawyer will want to review and discuss. Bring the following documentation: Business Information Marketing and business plans Business name registration Corporate records – business entities Financials Business banking statements Accounting Employee and business income tax returns Debts or assets Property/Real Estate Property lease, equipment lease Deeds or titles to commercial property Property insurance Bills and Debts Budget/balance sheet Loan documents Business credit statements Bills Legal Agreements Any contracts – supplier, client, customer There are many reasons to meet with a business lawyer and the documentation required in your first meeti