How Much Does a Separation Agreement Cost in Ontario?

For many Canadians, going to court and involving lawyers for any reason sounds overwhelming and stressful. Not to mention costing lots of money and time. If you and your spouse are looking to legally separate, the good news is that in Ontario, you don’t need to go to court or pay a lawyer’s hourly rate. Instead, you can enter into a Canadian separation agreement — a legally binding contract you prepare outside of court that settles key matters like financial support, property division, and parenting parameters.

What Does A Separation Agreement Look Like In Ontario?

Before we get into answering the main topic of this post: “How much does a separation agreement cost in Ontario?” Let’s first cover the basics of separation agreements in this province, like what a separation agreement is and what steps you must take to legally separate in Ontario.

A separation agreement in Ontario falls under Part IV of the province’s Family Law Act. This section allows parties who can agree on the terms of their separation to legally set up their own affairs outside of the court system using a separation agreement. This contract must be in writing, signed by the parties, and witnessed.

How To Separate in Ontario

The first step is a desire by either spouse to live apart from the other. Yes, you don’t have to mutually agree on the separation. And in Ontario, a legal separation can mean either separate addresses or living in separate rooms or areas in one house.

If you were living together with a co-habitation agreement, you could use parts of it for your separation agreement. Remember to note the date you started living apart; you’ll need this if you have to divide property assets.

Once you’re ready, you can begin writing your agreement. Now, let’s be real. Sometimes separation isn’t always smooth. It’s safe to say that complications can arise if parties don’t see eye-to-eye on certain points. And understandably, separation can also be an emotional and stressful time. So at this point, many people find that getting legal advice or step-by-step guidance helps.

Legalhood’s Separation Agreement Service

As for how to file for separation in Ontario as smoothly as possible without high legal costs, enlist the help of Legalhood. We’re your online resource with two packages for drafting your Separation Agreement in Ontario. Our two packages bring you the legal assistance you need while keeping costs down. Think of us as technology that connects people to affordable legal help. We have a legacy of working with a network of lawyers accredited by the Canadian Bar Association, but we’re not a legal firm ourselves.

Our standard service. We suggest this one if you feel you and your spouse won’t have too much friction when settling the terms of your separation agreement. Perhaps you’ve already talked and agreed on things like your division of assets and parental responsibilities.

The steps in Legalhood’s standard separation agreement package typically look like this:

One party fills out our streamlined, online Smart Form so we get to know your needs and situation
The other party will receive an email (or a phone call) inviting them to participate in filling out a form to help draft the separation agreement
A lawyer is assigned to you within three business days and will contact you about meeting
You, your spouse, and the lawyer will meet by video conference to discuss and confirm the details of your separation
You’ll receive a draft of your agreement within seven days of your meeting if all your required paperwork was submitted
Your lawyer will fill out your separation agreement application for you

Legalhood’s Separation Agreement Service with Family Mediation:

Sometimes relationships are, well, extra-complicated. Like maybe you’re not on the best terms. If this sounds like you, then our Separation Agreement with Family Mediation can bring down the tension when it comes to communication. A family mediator is an unbiased third-party who can help minimize conflict and create the space for parties to practice reasonable, sound judgement.

WIth this service, you’ll follow the same steps as our standard separation agreement offering but with the addition of two hours with a family mediator.

How much does a Separation Agreement Cost in Ontario?

You save a lot of money and time when you use a Legalhood separation agreement package. In contrast, a lawyer’s rates can creep, and their busy schedules can draw out your case. Legalhood’s technology-forward process is for the people — simple, efficient, and affordable. Our separation agreement service is a reasonable flat fee of $950 + tax per couple, while our mediation package is $1500 + tax per couple.

What About A Separation Agreement In Ontario With A Template?

If signed and witnessed, drafting a separation agreement in Ontario with a template is legally binding. If you’re naturally a DIY-er, you might lean towards using a template. But when you use a template without lawyer oversight, you miss out on legal expertise or mediation that helps take the stress out. Legalhood is a happy medium: our separation agreement packages connect you with legal help while keeping the process simple.

Legal assistance is also helpful if one spouse won’t sign the agreement. In Ontario, you’ll need to go to court if one party won’t sign and having a lawyer is advised for court proceedings.

Legal Separation In Ontario With Legalhood

Let Legalhood streamline the legal separation process. We connect you with lawyers in Ontario and across the country who know what you’re going through and can help facilitate a smooth transition to a new life chapter.

Get started with your Legalhood Separation Agreement today or connect with a lawyer if you have questions.

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