Here comes Legal Form + Video Guide #7:

Power of Attorney for Personal Care (Ontario)

This Legal Form can be used to appoint a person to make personal care decisions on your behalf when you are no longer able to do so.  We also have a Continuing Power of Attorney for Property available on Dynamic Lawyers if you need one, as well as a Living Will (these things are typically done all at the same time with your Last Will and Testament).  Here’s the sample Video Guide that comes with this Power of Attorney for Personal Care:

Remember: if you need an Ontario lawyer, go to Dynamic Lawyers and make a post.

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Here comes Legal Form + Video Guide #6:

Living Will (Ontario)

This document can be used by a person to communicate their final wishes concerning the medical treatment they would like to receive when they are no longer able to communicate.  This is NOT a WILL or a POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR PERSONAL CARE (although the terms of one’s Living Will can be incorporated into one’s Power of Attorney for Personal Care).    Here’s the sample Video Guide that comes with this Living Will (Ontario):

Remember: if you need an Ontario lawyer, go to Dynamic Lawyers and make a post.

written by admin \\ tags: legal agreement legal forms onlines, legal form, living will, ontario

Here comes Legal Form + Video Guide #2:

Auto Accident Settlement and Release Agreement (One-Sided)

The “One-Sided” at there’s only One party at fault and only that party wants a release (in exchange for paying).  If both parties may have been at fault, then you can use an Auto Accident Settlement and Release Agreement (Mutual).  Here’s the sample Video Guide that comes with this Auto-Accident Settlement and Release Agreement (One-Sided):

written by admin \\ tags: auto-accident settlement and release agreement, canada, legal agreements, legal forms, online legal forms, ontario, toronto

Dynamic Lawyers is pleased to announce that, as of today, it has expanded its services to allow everyday people in Timmins, Ontario to find local lawyers and attorneys.  At present, there are about 62 lawyers in Timmins, Ontario.

According to Wikipedia.org:

Timmins is a city in northeastern Ontario, Canada on the Mattagami River. At the time of the Canada 2006 Census, Timmins’ population was 42,455. At 2,961.52 square kilometres (1,143 sq mi), Timmins was Canada’s largest municipality in land area until 1995, when the regional municipality of Wood Buffalo, Alberta was created, although it remained the largest municipality in Ontario until 2001, when it was superseded by the newly amalgamated cities of Kawartha Lakes and Greater Sudbury. It is the 69th largest metropolitan area in Canada. The city’s slogan is “The City with a Heart of Gold”.

Dynamic Lawyers started off in Toronto last November and, due to the success we’ve experienced in matching Toronto lawyers with users, we have decided to move on to other cities across Ontario.  Today, it’s Timmins’ turn.  We’ve still got lots of work to do but you can expect to see us in the media again soon!.

Remember: if you need a Timmins lawyer or attorney, go to Dynamic Lawyers and make a post to get some free information and quotes from Timmins lawyers.

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So in addition to my other two blogs about Ontario lawyers advertising their fees, I came across the following considerations that I thought were worth mentioning.  First, a lawyer’s ability to advertise is governed by the Rules of Professional Conduct.  The Law Society put out a 5 page .pdf about Ethical Considerations and Technology and stated therein that:

Advertising by lawyers in various forms of electronic media, including web sites, network bulletin boards, and direct e-mail, are governed by the Rules of Professional Conduct. The Rules contain guidance on advertising that applies equally to electronic advertising.

So advertising fees online is permissible, so long as the Rules are followed.  Interestingly, the Law Society’s Knowledge Tree concerning marketing and making legal services available includes an example where a lawyer wants to offer services through a website in two provinces.  In response, the Law Society cautions that:

A lawyer or paralegal making representations in generally accessible electronic media should include the name, firm name, mailing address, the jurisdiction(s) where the lawyer is entitled to practise law or the paralegal is permitted to provide legal services, and an e-mail address of at least one firm lawyer or paralegal who will be responsible for the communication.

Taking this advice from the Law Society one step further would mean that any advertising of fees using an electronic medium (such as an email or website) should state clearly detailed information about the services, the price, contact info about the law practice or lawyer offering such services, and who can be reached at the firm concerning that information.

The overall message concerning advertising legal fees (particularly online – where that information stays on night and day and can be accessed by anyone with a computer anywhere in the world) is simple: be transparent and accountable with respect to advertising your fees for services.

written by admin \\ tags: advertising, electronic advertising, electronic media, electronic medium, knowledge tree, lawyer, lawyers, ontario, ontario lawyers, rules of professional conduct

I thought it would be worthwhile to put together a list of 10 FREE and useful resources for individuals involved in family law matters in Ontario.  These resources include relevant laws, forms, and websites.  Please keep in mind that, if you need a Toronto or Ottawa family law lawyer to advise or represent you, you should go to Dynamic Lawyers and make a post.  Toronto and Ottawa family law lawyers will respond to you by e-mail with free information and quotes on your particular matter.  You’ll notice that the general trend in family law matters has been to offer self-represented litigants guides, kits, workshops, seminars, forms, etc. to cut down their legal costs and provide them with better access to justice.  So, without further adieu, here’s my list of family law resources in Ontario:

1. Family Law Court Forms
2. Family Law Guides, courtesy of the Ministry of the Attorney General
3. Ontario and Federal Family Law Legislation, courtesy of the Ministry of the Attorney General
4. Divorce Advice Ontario
5. My Ontario Divorce
6. Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO)
   
7. CLEO Family Law Resources in Ontario
8. Legal Aid Ontario
9. Joel Miller’s Family Law Centre at Ricketts, Harris LLP
   
10. Law Society of Upper Canada’s Practice Portal for Family Law

written by admin \\ tags: attorney general ontario, community legal education, divorce advice, family law lawyer, family law legislation, family law matters, family law ontario, family law resources, law society of upper canada, legal aid ontario, ministry of the attorney general, ontario, ontario divorce, ontario family law, ontario legal aid

Over the next few blogs, I thought it would be worthwhile to discuss the small claims court process in Ontario.  So, beginning with this blog, I thought about listing some resources I came across on the Internet dealing with small claims court in Ontario.

Remember: if you have questions about small claims court or if you want help with respect to your small claims court matter, you should make a post on Dynamic Lawyers (to get in touch with a small claims court lawyer) or Dynamic Paralegals (to get in touch with a small claims court paralegal).

So here are the resources you should look into with respect to small claims court in Ontario:

1. Rules of the Small Claims Court (make sure you’re looking at the most up-to-date version!).  Remember that the Rules of the Small Claims court are simply regulations made by the government under the authority of the Courts of Justice Act.  There may be additional provisions in the latter which affect or impact Small Claims Court proceedings in Ontario.
2. Ontario Small Claims Court Forms.  Make sure that these are the most up-to-date forms!
3. Before Making a Claim in Small Claims Court – Ministry of the Attorney General website.
4. List of Small Claims Courts – Ministry of the Attorney General website.
5. Small Claims Court Guides to Procedures – Ministry of the Attorney General website.  This is a great resource and you’ll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the guides.  The guides themselves cover the following topics:

• What is Small Claims Court
• After Judgment – Guide to Getting Results
• Guide to Making a Claim
• Guide to Replying to a Claim
• Guide to Serving Documents
• Guide to Motions and Clerk’s Orders
• Guide to Getting Ready for Court
• Guide to Fee Schedules
• After Judgment – Guide to Getting Results

written by admin \\ tags: court proceedings, courts of justice act, lawyer, lawyers, ontario, ontario small claims, ontario small claims court, ontario small claims court forms, paralegal, provisions, small claims court, small claims court ontario, small claims courts

Please note that the information provided herein is not legal advice and is provided for informational and educational purposes only.  If you need legal advice with respect to child support or determining child support payments, you should seek professional assistance (e.g. make a post on Dynamic Lawyers).  We have Toronto and Ottawa family law lawyers registered on Dynamic Lawyers who can offer information, advice, and assistance with respect to your child support matters.

As a follow up to my recent child support calculator blog (which dealt with Ontario and federal child support), I thought I’d discuss calculating child support in British Columbia.  Interestingly, the province of British Columbia has adopted the Federal Child Support Guidelines to determine child support obligations in that province.  It says so here: s. 1(2) of the B.C. Child Support Guidelines Regulation made under the Family Relations Act.   So here it is:

• British Columbia – this is a calculator provided by the British Columbia Family Maintenance Enforcement Program.  Please keep in mind that this websites may not be up-to-date and that you are always cautioned to consult with a family law lawyer who is apprised of the present law in British Columbia.

The key thing to keep in mind is trying to figure out what your income would be for the purposes of determining child support.  It’s not as easy or straightforward as one might think.  There are a number of steps that begin with looking at your last income tax return and making adjustments according to the Federal Child Support Guidelines.

The Federal Child Support Guidelines are regulations made under the Canada Divorce Act. The latter applies when parents are married and are now divorcing or formerly married and making a claim for child support.  If the parents are not divorcing or were not married at all, then child support would have to be calculated by the provincial jurisdiction’s relevant family law legislation.

In Ontario, for example, child support is determined according to the Family Law Act and the Ontario Child Support Guidelines.  The latter also has a table (as does the Federal Child Support Guidelines) that allows users to pinpoint what their child support obligations would be based on their income.

Again, it is encouraged to consult with a family law lawyer (e.g. by making a post on Dynamic Lawyers) before simply assuming that you know what your income would be under the applicable child support guidelines (and possibly relying on a free child support calculator to your detriment).

written by admin \\ tags: blog, british maintenance enforcement program, child support calculator, child support guidelines, child support obligations, child support payments, divorce act, family, family law lawyer, family law legislation, family maintenance enforcement, federal child support guidelines, law, lawyer, lawyers, maintenance enforcement program, ontario

There are a number of lawyers and law firms in Ottawa that strictly practice family law.  FYI, family law in Ottawa is not really that different from family law elsewhere in Ontario.  The Ontario Child Support Guidelines, Ontario Family Law Act, and the Ontario Family Law Rules all apply – irrespective of the Ontario city in which you reside.  If you need an Ottawa family law lawyer, you should go to Dynamic Lawyers and make a post.  It’s 100% FREE and ANONYMOUS and family law lawyers in Ottawa will respond to you via e-mail with information and quotes.

Please note that the following is being provided for informative and educational purposes only.  If you require an Ottawa family law lawyer to discuss your concerns and particular case, you are once again encouraged to go to Dynamic Lawyers and make a post.

Notably, because family law deals with high tension, stress, and emotional issues involving couples, children, and property, the justice system (i.e. the government which makes the laws and the courts which enforce them) has taken the approach that alternative dispute resolution is generally better suited to deal with these issues than litigation.

Case in point, under s. 9 of the Federal Divorce Act, a lawyer has a duty in divorce proceedings to draw his or her client’s attention to those provisions of that Act that have as their object the reconciliation of spouses and to discuss with them the possibility of the reconciliation (e.g. through counseling, guidance facilities, etc.).  The lawyer must also provide a certificate (i.e. a written statement) to the court upon commencing divorce proceedings that he or she has complied with said duty.

Under s. 10 of that Act, the court itself has a duty – before considering the evidence – to satisfy itself that there is no possibility of the reconciliation of the spouses (unless it would be clearly inappropriate to do so).  The court may even adjourn at any stage in a divorce proceeding if it appears from the nature of the case, the evidence, or the attitude of the spouses that there is a possibility of reconciliation.

Finally, even throughout litigation under the Ontario Family Law Act (e.g. dealing with non-married couples), before trial, there are mandatory case conferences and settlement conferences wherein the parties must attend to try to settle the case before it gets to trial.

These days, collaboration, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution are all buzzwords that Ottawa family law lawyers use to help their clients resolve contentious family law issues.  Family law centres, seminars, counseling, articles, and other alternative outlets are being used to spread the message: divorce doesn’t have to be so ugly and there is a life after it for all of the parties involved!

written by admin \\ tags: alternative dispute resolution, child support guidelines, child support guidelines ontario, divorce proceedings, family law act, family law lawyer, lawyers in ottawa, ontario, ontario child support, ontario family law, ottawa, ottawa family law, ottawa family lawyer