Family Lawyers

A family lawyer handles the legal side of separation, divorce, children and money — decisions that are difficult to undo once they are made. This page explains what these lawyers do, how the rules differ between Quebec and the rest of Canada, and what to expect on cost. The lawyers listed below set their own rates and show their availability, so you can compare them and book a consultation directly.

What a family lawyer does

They advise you on where you stand, negotiate on your behalf, put agreements into a form that holds up, and represent you in court if the matter gets there. Most family files never reach a trial — a large part of the work is reaching an agreement the other side will accept and a judge will approve.

The matters they typically take on:

• Separation and divorce, including uncontested files where both sides already agree
• Custody, parenting time and decisions about where a child lives and goes to school
• Child support and spousal support — setting it, changing it, or enforcing it
• Dividing property, the family home, pensions and debts
• Agreements made before or during a relationship, such as a marriage contract
• Adoption, parentage and questions about who is legally a child's parent

Quebec and the rest of Canada follow different rules

Divorce itself is federal: the same Act applies whether you live in Montreal or Vancouver. Almost everything around it is provincial — how property is divided, how parental authority works, and what rights couples have if they never married.

Quebec is a civil law province and works from its own Civil Code; the other provinces are common law, each with its own family legislation. That is why advice written for Ontario often does not apply in Quebec, and why the rules for unmarried couples living together are one of the most common things people get wrong. The federal government explains the divorce side on the Department of Justice Canada site, and Quebec publishes its own family law guidance on Québec.ca. A lawyer in your province can tell you which set of rules governs your situation.

What it costs and how lawyers charge

There is no set price. Each lawyer sets their own rates, usually by the hour, and some offer a fixed price for well-defined work such as an uncontested divorce or drafting an agreement.

What moves the total is how much is actually in dispute. Two people who agree on the children and the money spend a fraction of what a contested file costs, because the hours go into paperwork rather than litigation. Mediation and negotiated settlements are usually the cheaper route, and a lawyer can tell you early whether yours is likely to settle. On this site each profile shows the lawyer's rates, so you can compare before you book instead of asking on a call.

When it is worth getting a lawyer

Earlier than most people do, and before signing anything. A consultation is a small cost next to an agreement that turns out to be unworkable or unenforceable. It is particularly worth it when:

• There are children, and you need parenting arrangements or support settled
• There is a home, a business, a pension or significant debt to divide
• The other side has already hired someone
• You lived together without marrying and are unsure what you are entitled to
• You have reached an agreement and want it written up properly
• There are safety concerns for you or your children

Compare lawyers and book a consultation

The lawyers on this page are independent professionals, not employees of JustiConnect. You can browse family lawyers by city, language and fee range, see when each one is available, and book a time in their calendar — online or in person — without a round of phone calls. If you are not sure how to pick between two of them, our guide on how to choose a lawyer in Quebec walks through what to ask in a first consultation.

Frequently asked questions

What does a family lawyer do in Canada?

They advise on separation, divorce, children, support and property, negotiate with the other side, draft the agreements, and go to court when an agreement cannot be reached. Which law they apply depends on the province you live in.

How much does a family lawyer cost in Canada?

It depends on the lawyer and on how contested your file is — there is no standard rate. Each profile on this page lists that lawyer's own fees, which is the most reliable way to compare.

How do I choose a good family lawyer?

Look at whether they handle the kind of file you have — an uncontested separation and a contested custody dispute are quite different work — then at the language you want to deal in, their fees, and how soon they are available. A first consultation is also how you check that you can talk to them easily, since you will be handing them decisions that are hard to undo. In Quebec you can confirm a lawyer is entitled to practise through the Barreau du Québec.

Do I need a lawyer to get divorced?

Not legally, and some people handle an uncontested divorce themselves. It becomes much harder to do alone once children, property or support are involved, because those terms are the ones that are difficult to change afterwards.

Can a lawyer still help if we already agree on everything?

Yes, and this is often the cheapest kind of file. The work is writing your agreement so that it is clear, complete and enforceable, and confirming nothing important has been left out.