INVOLVING THE COURT IN FAMILY LAW DISPUTES?

THe Law OFFICES OF JENNIFER E. JOLLY
​FAMILY LAW & ESTATE LITIGATION 
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*The information provided below does not constitute legal advice and is only applicable to situations

governed by the law of Ontario. You must contact a lawyer for advice relevant to your circumstances.​

​Is it necessary to have the Court involved in resolving family law disputes?

1. No. Very few family law cases proceed to a trial before a Judge, and increasingly, couples are able to settle their cases through mediation.
   
   
2. Court can be avoided by reaching an agreement on the issues arising from separation. Alternative dispute resolution techniques, such as mediation or negotiation through lawyers can often achieve a settlement.
   
   
3. It is always in an individual’s best interest to obtain legal advice before commencing mediation or attempting to resolve family law issues on their own. A settlement that will not stand up in Court is a waste of effort and will often create bad feelings, which can be difficult to later overcome.