The Money Smart
Divorce Solution
Clear, Straightforward and Realistic Pricing
...Without Going to Court.
Financial Expert - Gail Vaz-Oxlade
The Money Smart
Divorce Solution
Clear, Straightforward and Realistic Pricing
...Without Going to Court.
Financial Expert - Gail Vaz-Oxlade
Separation and Divorce Prices
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SEPARATE IN ONTARIO?
Truthfully, nobody can perfectly predict exactly how much it’s going to cost you to separate… ultimately that comes down to you and your spouse.
People often confuse complexity with amicability. The complexity of divorce entails formally addressing financial elements such as mortgages, pensions, real estate, investments, taxes, etc., as well as properly dealing with post-divorce matters such as Support, co-parenting, title changes, etc. The amicability or acrimony of a file does not change the complexity of these issues, but will make the legal processes easier for all involved.
The Cost of Your Divorce...
will be a combination of the following factors
- The level of acrimony and hostility between you and your spouse.
- Your willingness to work together.
- The Legal Processes you both choose.
- The amount and complexity of your financial and property issues.
- The extent that you involve lawyers & professionals to assist you.
The Cost of Your Divorce...
will be a combination of the following factors:
- The level of acrimony and hostility between you and your spouse.
- Your willingness to work together.
- The Legal Processes you both choose.
- The amount and complexity of your financial and property issues.
- The extent that you involve lawyers & professionals to assist you.
Common Sense Divorce PLUS
High-Asset Negotiation Plan
Common Sense Divorce PLUS
Full Service Mediation Plan
Common Sense Divorce Plus
High-Asset Negotiation Services WithSpecialized Professional Assistance
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Financial Disclosure & Review
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Client Care & Support Services
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4 Mediation Sessions
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Pre-Mediation Legal Advice
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Home Services Session
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CDFA Financial Session
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Financial/Tax Session
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Separation Memo Plan (MOU)
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Lawyer-Drafted Separation Agreement
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Independent Legal Review
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Signing Session
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Divorce Court Application
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Additional CDFA & Legal Time
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Add-ons
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Divorce Coaching
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Divorce Decree Application & Fees
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Simple Tax Returns
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Payment Plans Available
The Common Sense Divorce
Bundled Mediation Plan
The Common Sense Divorce
Bundled Mediation Plan
The Common Sense Divorce
Bundled Financial Mediation Plan-
Financial Disclosure & Review
-
Client Care & Support Services
-
4 Mediation Sessions
-
Home Services Session
-
CDFA Financial Session
-
Separation Memo Plan (MOU)
-
Lawyer-Drafted Separation Agreement
-
Independent Legal Review
-
Signing Session
-
Divorce Court Application
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Simple Will/Estate Planning
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Add-ons
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Divorce Coaching
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Divorce Decree Application & Fees
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Simple Tax Return
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Payment Plans Available
Lawyer-Led Negotiations
Litigation Retainer
Lawyer Led Negotiations
Litigation Retainer
Lawyer Led Negotiations
LitigationRetainer
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Financial Disclosure & Review
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Home Services Session
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Client Care & Support Services
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Family Lawyer Retainer
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Add-ons
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Divorce Coaching
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Additional Legal Hours (Discounted)
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CDFA Financial & Tax Session
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Lawyer-Drafted Separation Agreement
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Divorce Court Application
-
Divorce Decree Application & Fees
THE Common Sense Divorce
The Common Sense Divorce
Bundled Mediation Plan
The Common Sense Divorce
Bundled Financial Mediation Plan-
Financial Disclosure & Review
-
Client Care & Support Services
-
4 Mediation Sessions
-
Home Services Session
-
CDFA Financial Session
-
Separation Memo Plan (MOU)
-
Lawyer-Drafted Separation Agreement
-
Independent Legal Review
-
Signing Session
-
Divorce Court Application
-
Simple Will/Estate Planning
-
Add-ons
-
Divorce Coaching
-
Divorce Decree Application & Fees
-
Simple Tax Return
-
Payment Plans Available
PRICES: Apples to Apples
When you are researching and making decisions regarding legal processes, it is important to understand the real costs involved.
Typically, the least expensive legal process (and fastest) will be family mediation, and then, collaborative law. The most expensive process will always be a traditional litigation lawyer, especially if court is involved.
Many, if not most lawyers, mediators and financial professionals will bill you “by the hour” which is then broken down by a minimum of “6 minute increments.” For example if a professional’s billable rate is $400 per hour, then each “6 minute increment” will cost you $40. If you spoke to them on the phone for 10 minutes you will be billed for two “6 minute increments” or $80.
Typically a lawyer’s hourly rate is reflective of how many years they have been practising law. A more expensive rate does not automatically mean they are a better lawyer. It means they have been practising longer.
Conversely a lower priced professional does not mean that they will save you money. A professional charging $250 per hour may need 10 hours to complete what a $400 professional could accomplish in 5 hours.
Not all good Family Law Mediators are lawyers and not all Family Law lawyers make good mediators. Mediation is a very specific skillset and what makes one a good lawyer does not always make one a good mediator. Mediators who are lawyers will be more expensive.
Not all legal process prices will include everything that will be required to get you to completion. In all processes you will pay for the professionals involved. But not all pricing clearly indicates that you will also be required to pay for Financial Disclosure, Drafting of an Agreement, sharing documents with the other side, disbursements, reviewing and communications, Court Fees, or as is the case with mediation, Independent Legal Advice (ILA) at the end of your process. Be sure to fully understand what is included in the price and what is not.
A retainer does not mean the final price. A retainer is the amount that is the deposit on the work being accomplished on your behalf. It is not unusual for a professional to require you to “top up” the retainer two or three times.
Deciding on a legal process, should not be based on price alone. The best process is the process that works best for your family. Make your decisions based on the realities of your situation, the qualifications of the professionals involved and ultimately what is a good fit for you and your situation.