Dividing property fairly is one of the central tasks after separation. Forte works through each layer of the picture, from the matrimonial home to private companies, so the outcome reflects what was actually built during the relationship.
Equalization of net family property
Married spouses share the growth in their net worth during the marriage under the Family Law Act. Specific rules for gifts, inheritances, and the matrimonial home can change the result significantly.
Entrepreneurs & the self-employed
What the business is worth, what it truly earns, and how it stays viable. Tanya works with Chartered Business Valuators and accountants on practical, tax-aware solutions.
Complex assets
Investment properties, pensions, stock options, trusts, holding companies, and professional corporations each need their own valuation approach.
Trust claims & financial disclosure
Common-law partners may claim an interest in property based on contributions. Both parties must give full and frank disclosure, and deeper investigation may be needed.
Complimentary telephone consultation, up to 30 minutes
02Support
Child & Spousal Support
Federal and provincial guidelines give support a framework, but applying them correctly depends on an accurate understanding of each party's income and circumstances.
Child support
Table support under the Child Support Guidelines follows the paying parent's income. Determining that income is often the most contested question.
Special & extraordinary expenses
Childcare, medical and dental costs, post-secondary education, and certain activities may be shared in proportion to income.
Spousal support
The Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines provide ranges, but courts keep broad discretion over entitlement, amount, and duration.
Variation & enforcement
Support can change with a material change in circumstances. Orders are generally enforced through the Family Responsibility Office.
Complimentary telephone consultation, up to 30 minutes
03Parenting
Children & Parenting
Where children will live, how time will be shared, and who will make important decisions, resolved with the children's best interests at the centre.
Decision-making responsibility
Formerly called custody: decisions about health, education, culture, language, religion, and significant activities.
Parenting time & plans
Formerly called access. A detailed plan that anticipates holidays, transitions, travel, and communication prevents future disputes.
Relocation
A move that significantly affects the other parent's time triggers specific notice requirements and legal factors.
High-conflict matters
Where a child's relationship with a parent is being undermined, or safety is a concern, early and decisive action is often critical.
Complimentary telephone consultation, up to 30 minutes
04Agreements
Domestic Contracts & Agreements
A domestic contract lets partners set their own terms. Its strength depends on full financial disclosure, careful drafting, and independent legal advice for each party.
Marriage contracts
Often used to protect a business, family wealth, assets brought into the marriage, or children from a prior relationship.
Cohabitation agreements
Address property, support, and estate issues in advance, and whether the agreement continues if you later marry.
Separation agreements
Record the terms on parenting, support, and property once a relationship has ended.
Standstill agreements
Preserve the status quo while negotiations are under way, so neither party gains an advantage.
Complimentary telephone consultation, up to 30 minutes
05Advocacy
Litigation & Representation
When the other side will not engage, positions become entrenched, or urgent issues arise, court may be necessary. Thorough preparation also tends to produce better settlements.
Family court litigation
From pleadings and case conferences to motions, settlement conferences, and trial where required.
Urgent motions
Interim protection where there are immediate concerns about children, property, or support.
Negotiation & settlement
Counsel-to-counsel negotiation, round-table meetings, and mediation, built on a clear view of the case's strengths and risks.
Choosing the right process
Court is used when it is needed and avoided when it is not, with the choice reassessed as the matter develops.
Complimentary telephone consultation, up to 30 minutes
06Step-parent & relative
Adoption
Adoption can provide legal permanence to a relationship that already feels like family.
Forte Family Law assists with step-parent and relative adoptions in Ontario, including applications where a spouse, partner, or family member is seeking to formalize an existing parental relationship and obtain full legal recognition of that role.
Tanya helps clients understand the applicable legal requirements, including necessary consents, documentation, and court procedures. Timelines and steps depend on the circumstances of each proposed adoption.
Complimentary telephone consultation, up to 30 minutes
Also accepted
Civil litigation & Small Claims Court
Family law remains the primary focus of the practice. As a complementary area, Forte accepts selected civil litigation and Small Claims Court matters, which may include:
Contractual disputes
Unpaid debts and loans
Breach of contract claims
Monetary claims between individuals or businesses
Other straightforward civil disputes within the scope of the firm’s practice
Each potential matter is assessed individually to determine whether it is appropriate for the firm to accept.
