On the surface, divorce lawyers are lawyers who are focused on helping people dissolve their marriages. However, this is not the only area of law these professionals work in. The practice areas of a divorce lawyer in Ottawa can be extensive or limited, depending on the particular needs of the client. One important area that a lawyer should always have experience in is family law because divorce law is a subset.
Divorce lawyers in Ottawa take on different areas of law, including Family Law, Custody & Access, Division of Property, Division of Debts & Financial Issues, Division of Child Support Enforcement. These lawyers also specialize in Family Mediation. An Ottawa Divorce Lawyer also helps clients with estate planning, adoptions, and other legal matters related to family law. Therefore, it’s important for individuals to find a lawyer who specializes in their desired field.
Let us see the most common practice areas, besides divorce cases, of divorce lawyers in Ottawa.
- Marriage contracts
When entering a marriage contract, it is important to be aware of the responsibilities and liabilities exchanged between the two parties. One way to avoid ambiguity and future disputes is to hire a lawyer who specializes in family law to review the terms of the contract. A lawyer can help couples get everything they want out of their marriage agreement while also upholding obligations such as fair division of property and providing for children.
- Inheritance protection
Many families are not aware of the need for inheritance protection when dealing with divorce. When one spouse inherits property, the other spouse may be entitled to a portion of that property. However, in many cases, the couple’s finances are intertwined and difficult to separate. Divorce lawyers can help these couples plan an inheritance protection strategy that will ensure both spouses get what they’re owed.
- Child access and parenting time
Divorce lawyers can play a key role in determining a child’s access to their parents, and the amount of time they get to spend with them. In the case of child access, divorce lawyers may recommend what is in the best interest of the children and could make a recommendation for changes to be made.
- Spousal support
Divorce lawyers are often called upon to assist with spousal support issues. Spouses seeking spousal support will need to hire a divorce lawyer to help them do the legal work needed for this kind of process.