Even without hiring a lawyer or going to trial, the cost of getting divorced can add up. Filing fees, Separation Agreements, mediators… it’s all astronomically expensive. If you end up in court battling over custody or money, you’ll be looking at a lawyer’s bill in the neighbourhood of $5,000-10,000 per day.

The exorbitant cost of litigation, combined with the backlogged court system– which sees approximately 70,000 divorcing couples per year across Canada– has led to a recently expanded “Mandatory Information Session” pilot project.

The new program applies to all spouses applying for a contested divorce. Upon filing a contested divorce application with the court, each spouse will be given an information sheet about the mandatory mediation session that they are required to attend. Their divorce proceedings will not move forward until each spouse receives a stamp of confirmation of their attendance.

The mandatory information sessions are divided into two groups– Applicants and Respondents- but the message to each group is the same: the contested divorce process is long, traumatic, and very expensive, and should be avoided at all costs. The information sessions are geared to encourage spouses to attempt to use negotiation or mediation to resolve their separation issues (custody, support, property) without entering into a nasty battle in court. The majority of cases that are bogging down our court system are the ones where spouses are fighting tooth-and-nail over petty issues, no matter the cost.

Many spouses are resistant to the idea of the mandatory information session because they have made their decision and want to get divorced as quickly as possible. On the other hand, divorced spouses who have gone through the contested divorce litigation process often wish that they had tried mediation as a way to save their sanity and their money.

This program is reflective of the need to keep divorcing spouses out of the court system. It’s beneficial not only to the government but also to you as an individual seeking a divorce. Save yourself tens (or in some cases, hundreds) of thousands of dollars and settle your issues out of court. Try our free software and create your own separation agreement at MyOntarioDivorce.com. Invest in a mediator. If you still need help, try our innovative and affordable flat-fee divorce solutions at BermanBarristers.com.

For more information on separation, divorce, and other family law matters, please visit MyOntarioDivorce.com.

Sincerely,

Robert Berman B.C.L, LL.B
Founder & Family Lawyer

The time has come. Enough is enough. Not everyone needs or can afford a full service lawyer. Why can’t you walk into a lawyer’s office and buy the advice or service you need without first paying a huge retainer upon the lawyer’s expectation and requirement that the service you need is full-service? When you walk into a car dealership you have a choice. When you go to a restaurant you have a choice. You don’t have to buy the most expensive car or item on the menu. Even dentists charge by the filling.

For some cases you need a lawyer from beginning to end. Complicated cases involving business valuations and expert witnesses do. But, most cases that involve a house, 2 kids, and a couple of RRSPs should be settled or litigated with legal advice as and when needed.

Unbundling legal services on an as-needed basis is a win-win for both the public and lawyers. The public get affordable access to justice and lawyers can do more business with the increasing number of clients able to afford their menu of services.

And, that’s what MyOntarioDivorce.com is about . . . giving you the tools and information you need to successfully access the Family Court process without a lawyer holding your hand (and your wallet) every step of the way. Check us out. We’re on the cutting edge of the New Economy. Try us on for size for FREE during your first month of membership. Get all the Court Forms you need automatically prepared to tell your particular story without having to leave your couch. No lawyers. Just a lawyer-approved system that provides you with the tools and information you need to represent yourself and save a lot of money. Any Questions?

Helping You Help Yourself,