How To Pay Your Fees

It takes time and effort to untangle the parties’ lives to build a new beginning. For most cases, legal fees are calculated based on the hourly rate of the lawyer or the assistant. The more work/time required, the higher the legal fees. Contact us for more information today.

Current Hourly Rates

Charged in six (6) minute increments.

Lawyer’s hourly rate is $350 + HST
Administrative staff’s hourly rate is $90 + HST

Initial Meeting

Initial meeting is a flat rate of $350 + HST that is usually between 1 to 2 hours in duration. Depending on the matter, we may also accept LAO advice certificates. Contact us for more information.

Retainer

When retaining the firm, you will be asked to pay a deposit called a retainer. It is not an estimate of legal fees. The minimum retainer for an out-of-court process or limited scope retainer starts at $3,500, and the minimum retainer for a court process starts at $5,000, but may be much higher depending on the specifics of the matter. "Limited scope" means you pay the lawyer to help you with only certain things, like getting a restraining order or drafting a court document.

Paying your fees

Clients are usually billed on a monthly basis and are expected to pay the fees incurred in a timely manner. If the fees are unpaid, work will cease on the file.

Factors that decrease legal fees

Parties agree to the principal issues
Parties are reasonable about the outcome
Client is prepared and organized to provide the necessary information
Client is focused on the legal issues

Factors that increase legal fees

Parties disagree on minor and major issues
At least one party has unreasonable expectations
At least one party refuses to cooperate
At least one party is focused on non-legal issues such as vengeance or ill-will

Legal Aid Ontario (LAO)

If you have experienced family violence and need immediate legal help, you might be able to get up to two (2) hours of free legal advice from our staff lawyer.
If you have experienced sexual abuse and live in Toronto, Ottawa, or Thunder Bay, you might be able to get up to four (4) hours of free legal advice from our staff lawyer.
If you want to get a restraining order only and there are no other family issues, you might be able to get up to six (6) hours of free legal advice from our staff lawyer.
If you want a restraining order and other family law orders, you may qualify for free legal services depending on LAO approval. See below for more information.

Steps to get free legal advice:

Contact us to book an appointment;
Obtain your voucher called a "certificate" from Legal Aid Ontario by calling 1-800-668-8258 and make sure to keep a record of your (1) Legal Aid Ontario client number and (2) LAO certificate number;
Have your (1) Legal Aid Ontario client number and (2) LAO certificate number ready at your appointment.