Should you hire a lawyer for a family law matter?

All parties involved in certain actions, such as family protection orders, including EPO reviews, restraining orders initial reviews, and Queen’s Bench Protection orders, are eligible for legal representation through legal aid.

Further, individuals who are involved in family proceedings but cannot afford a lawyer may obtain assistance from the duty counsel and as well as apply to legal aid.

However, most individuals involved in family matters, should retain a family lawyer, privately. You should retain a family lawyer due to the following reasons:

1) Divorce and separation can be difficult for anyone to go through. The stress and emotions involved make it difficult to render informed decisions. 

2) Your family lawyer will ensure that you do not give in to demands, threats, or bullying, of a narcissistic spouse.

3) Family lawyers know the law, as well as the outcomes of past cases, and can use that knowledge to help you achieve the best possible outcome. 

4) Family lawyers also know how to present your case in a way that a judge/justice will see your side. 

5) Often, family lawyers know how to anticipate potential issues and understand what you are reasonably entitled to.

6) Your family lawyer will ensure that you do not end up paying/giving ­up more child support, spousal support or marital assets than you legally should.

7) Having a family lawyer at the onset of the matter will also help you avoid the costs for very expensive appeals.

8) Most individuals do not have a clue about court processes, what legal forms to use, which documents should be filed and the deadlines for filing the documents. If any of the procedural steps are done incorrectly, a judge may exclude the documents from the case. But your family law lawyer will make sure this doesn’t happen to you.