Family Law
Family law issues are deeply personal because they touch the heart of the relationships we live with every day. When legal actions are taken, the result will impact how you interact with friends, family members, and loved ones long after the case is resolved.
It’s imperative that you work with experienced family law lawyers in Sarnia who use compassion and determination to resolve your case. At George Murray Shipley Bell, LLP, our professional legal team resolve family law matters keeping your long-term best interests in mind. We are proud to provide trusted and compassionate legal services to the families and residents of Sarnia-Lambton and surrounding areas.
Family Law Legal Services
GMSB’s expertise in the area of family law is extensive; our team of family lawyers can provide support and services for the following:
Divorce Law
Filing for divorce or legal separation can be a tremendously stressful process. You entered a marriage with expectations about the future. What happens next with financial stability, children and other are issues seems unclear and that can be emotionally taxing. But the good news is that filing for divorce or separation is taking a significant step forward toward a more fruitful life.
Navigating the legal system can be challenging and the bureaucracy frustrating. As experienced divorce lawyers in Sarnia, we shepherd everyday people through divorce and legal separation. You deserve a positive and productive new life, and our firm will stand by you every step of the way.
Marriage Contracts & Agreements
It’s important for couples entering into a marriage to know that the union triggers certain legal rights and obligations. The same can hold true for people who decide to cohabitate in a marriage-like fashion. While Canadian law dictates certain legal aspects of these relationships, couples have an opportunity to create enhanced definition through contracts.
Marriage and Cohabitation agreements offer traditional and same-sex couples the ability to decide, in advance, how a variety of things would be distributed in the unfortunate breakdown of the union. It is in your best interest to agree on a Marriage or Cohabitation Agreement when entering a committed relationship. Not having one could result in expensive and protracted civil litigation.
Legal Separation Agreements
To ease the burden associated with the separation of assets, spousal support and child and guardianship, the team of experienced family lawyers at George, Murray, Shipley, Bell, LLP work to craft the very best legal separation agreements that work for all parties involved. When a marriage begins to break-down, legal separation agreements are highly valuable, whether it may be a temporary separation or a formal divorce. Let the Sarnia family law office of George, Murray, Shipley Bell help to craft cohesive legal agreements designed to protect your best interests and rights.
Property Division
When it comes to divorce and separations of married and common-law couples, the process of property division can be cumbersome, and deeply personal. The team of family law professionals at George, Murray, Shipley, Bell are here to ease the burden of this legal process. We provide compassionate and thorough legal support to simplify this tedious task, resulting in fair divisions for all parties involved. Let George, Murray, Shipley, Bell, LLP support you in the process of property divisions.
Family Mediation
As part of our dedicated family law services, we provide families with specialized mediation and arbitration services as an alternative to lengthy court proceedings. From child custody and access, child support, parenting plans and elder mediation, the family lawyers at George, Murray, Shipley, Bell, LLP are exceptionally well versed in dispute resolutions for family legal issues. For legal support and insight in the realm of family mediation, contact the family law specialists at GMSB today.
Common Law Separation
When people decide to live together in a committed fashion, the relationship may be recognized as a common law marriage. If you have cohabitated for one year or longer, you and your partner could enjoy certain rights under the law. That means exiting the relationship without a common law separation agreement could open you up to a civil action. A well-crafted separation agreement will give you peace of mind knowing these issues have already been put to rest.
Child Support, Guardianship & Custody Access
Perhaps the most challenging part of dissolving a marriage is the care and welfare of minor children. There are financial guidelines in place based on the amount of time each parent enjoys physical custody and their income. But some variables need to be addressed such as special needs costs, tuition, medical expenses, and many others.
It’s also critical that quality parent-child time is negotiated fairly. It’s in the child’s best interest to have a fruitful relationship with loving parents and our experienced family lawyers are determined to get you the fair, equitable child custody and visitation agreement you deserve.
Our Family Lawyers
