Ivan Steele
"Your Life. Your Terms. Our Commitment."

Ivan Steele
Welcome to Ivan Steele Family Law. We provide comprehensive family law services for every budget in the following areas:
  • Divorce
  • Same Sex Couples' Family Law Issues
  • Custody and Access
  • Child and Spousal Support
  • Separation Agreements, Marriage Contracts
  • Cohabitation Agreements
  • Ovum and Sperm Donor Contracts
  • Surrogacy and Gestational Carriage Agreements
  • Assisted Human Reproduction Law
  • Foreign Divorce Opinions Letters for Remarriage in Canada


Child Support and Spousal Support Ranges


Support matters can be complex. Ivan Steele Law Office brings you MySupportCalculator.ca, which is currently the only website in Canada where the general public can obtain simple and free calculations of child and spousal support. Please note that these calculations are general in nature, and need to be considered in the context of entitlement and duration of spousal support. Before proceeding to negotiation or to court, you should seek assistance of a family lawyer.



Domestic Contracts: Marriage Contracts, Cohabitation Agreements, Separation Agreements


Negotiating a cohabitation agreement, marriage contract or a prenuptial agreement runs contrary to most people’s ideal of romantic relationship because such an agreement necessitates contemplating dissolution. Nevertheless, entering into a domestic contract is a sign of mutual respect as it is rooted in the belief that your relationship is strong enough to handle serious discussions about each party’s needs. Rather than a repudiation of a relationship, domestic contracts are a prudent and practical move that establishes and protects everyone’s property rights.

With a guidance of a tactful and knowledgeable Toronto family lawyer, entering into a domestic contracts can save you strife and expense of litigation down the road, or at the very least provide a peace of mind.

Separation Agreements


In most cases that do not involve abuse and high conflict you are in a far better position to decide what is better for you as a separating couple, and for your children than a stranger on a bench, seeing only a fraction of your lives. As an added benefit, a separation agreement may reduce tension and prevent further deterioration of a relationship by importing financial certainty into your respective lives, without having to involve the Court.

Separation agreements are domestic contracts and, as such, are legally binding documents, which can be filed with the Court and enforced. Two persons who are married or who have cohabited and are now living separate and apart may enter into a separation agreement, which can address almost all matters in the settlement of their affairs. A separation agreement is your chance to be the creators of your own destiny, since you are allowed to spell out your respective rights and obligations regarding ownership in or division of property, spousal and child support obligations, and custody of and access to children.

While separation agreements provide a great deal of flexibility in arranging financial and familial affairs and are usually a much less costly alternative to protracted court applications, these contracts are always subject to best interests of a child test. Specifically, the Court retains the final authority to decide the matters concerning the education, moral training or custody of a child. Separation agreements do not allow parents to get out of their child support obligations with impunity. An agreement must substantially comply with Child Support Guideline and the Court is free to set aside any provision that is unreasonable having regard to the Guidelines. Separation agreements have a significant and long-lasting impact on many areas of your life, long after signing. They may have significant tax consequences and can also influence your estate planning, immigration and financial future for years to come. It is not only a good idea, but indeed essential to have a separation agreement prepared and reviewed by lawyers. Our separation agreement lawyer in Toronto can assit you and guide you through this process.

If you and your spouse believe that you will be able to muster enough goodwill to agree to terms of a separation agreement, you should strike while iron is hot. Waiting to settle your family matters in order to save a couple of thousand dollars now will put you at risk of losing far more in the long run. The chances are that, as time passes, either yours or your spouse's priorities will shift, and one of you will likely change his or her mind about a material point of agreement.

Contested and Uncontested Divorces


If you are separating or getting divorced, you will need a Toronto family lawyer who can successfully navigate Ontario family laws and procedures. We will handle your divorce with speed, quality and dignity - all without leaving you financially drained. Whether you are getting contested or uncontested divorce, coping with the divorce process is a trying time for anyone. Our Toronto divorce lawyer will also address various issues that must be determined by a settlement agreement or court order. You can rely on us get you the results that are focused on your best interests and the welfare of your children. We are committed in assisting clients in all family structures, especially those in same-sex relationships.

Foreign Divorce Opinion Letters


If you divorced outside of Canada, in order to obtain a marriage license in Ontario, you must get the opinion of an Ontario lawyer confirming that your divorce would be recognized here. This foreign divorce opinion is submitted to the Minister of Consumer and Business Services to obtain authorization for the issuance of a marriage license. Since this process takes from three or four weeks, you should obtain your foreign divorce opinion letter at an earliest possible date. If you need an opinion letter regarding your foreign divorce, please contact us directly. Upon receipt of the requested documentation and payment, we will provide you with the opinion lette(s). If your matter is urgent, please let us know, and if our schedule allows, we will complete the opinion letter within one business day of receipt of payment and all the necessary information.

Surrogacy and Assisted Human Reproduction


Our Toronto surrogacy lawyer is dedicated to helping you build your family through surrogacy. At Ivan Steele Law Office, our mission is to ensure that all who want and desire a family are able to do so without worrying about the legal dimensions and paperwork necessary for this process. We are a young law firm, and as part of our commitment to providing high quality, personalized surrogacy, egg donation, embryo donation, sperm donation legal advice, and related legal services for couples and individuals, we are constantly learning and improving our knowledge of this fast-developing area of law.

Child Custody


Child custody is an extremely difficult, fact sensitive and emotional area for divorcing parents to face. When you need to reach a child custody agreement, you may not know where to start. Ivan Steele, a Toronto family lawyer, will guide you through the process in a reassuring manner and carefully explain the rights, laws, and the legal procedures so that you fully understand your options. Next, with a help of a Toronto family lawyer, who is also a trained psychotherapist, your priorities and concerns will be given full attention, so that we can accurately articulate and address your wishes to the court. The goal is to reach the solution that is practical and workable in the long term. Our Toronto family law firm will help you to reach sound decisions that safeguard the future of your children, and your relationships with them. This area of law requires knowledgeable, compassionate, and responsive representation that Ivan Steele Law Office provides.
 
DeSign - ServiceRating.ca SEO