Business Details
5 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Family Law Partner in Toronto
Stephen Durbin & Associates is a leading family law firm dedicated to providing proactive, client-centered legal solutions. With a collaborative team approach, we prioritize resolving matters efficiently through strategic planning and creative problem-solving, minimizing conflict and emotional strain. Our lawyers share expertise to deliver tailored advice, ensuring clients understand their rights and options while focusing on their best interests.We maintain a 24-hour response policy for urgent matters, particularly those involving children, and strive to keep cases out of court whenever possible. Backed by a high success rate in negotiations and litigation, we combine experience with compassion to guide families through complex legal challenges.
Services
Divorce Proceedings
Child Custody
Spousal Support
Property Division
Mediation Services
Prenuptial Agreements
Relocation Cases
Enforcement Orders
High-Asset Cases
Same-Sex Family Law
Details
- Year established: 2021
Highlights and features
- Proactive approach to anticipate and resolve legal challenges efficiently
- Collaborative team model ensures comprehensive, tailored legal strategies
- 24-hour response policy prioritizing urgent family matters
- High success rate in negotiating settlements and litigating complex cases
- Recognized as Canadas top-rated large family law firm by LawyerRatingz.com
What people say
Peace of mind during difficult times
Exceeded expectations
Worth every single dime
Thoroughly professional
Changed my life
Services
Child Custody
We handle custody arrangements focusing on children's best interests, addressing decision-making responsibilities and parenting schedules. Our team advocates for solutions that minimize disruption to family life while ensuring legal compliance. With expertise in joint custody, sole custody, and relocation disputes, we provide strategic guidance tailored to each family's unique needs.
Spousal Support
Our firm advises on spousal support entitlement, calculation, and enforcement. We assess financial needs, relationship duration, and other factors to negotiate fair agreements. Whether seeking or contesting support, we prioritize long-term financial stability while navigating complex legal frameworks for married and common-law couples.
Property Division
We specialize in equitable distribution of assets and debts for divorcing couples. Our lawyers analyze financial disclosures to ensure fair equalization of net family property, addressing complex assets like pensions, businesses, and offshore holdings while protecting clients' financial futures.
Mediation Services
We facilitate out-of-court settlements through mediation, reducing costs and emotional strain. Our experienced negotiators help parties reach mutually beneficial agreements on custody, support, and property matters while maintaining confidentiality and fostering cooperation.
High-Asset Cases
Our team handles complex financial scenarios involving corporate holdings, stock options, and international assets. We employ forensic accounting and valuation experts to ensure accurate assessment and fair division of high-value estates in divorce proceedings.
People
Stephen Durbin
Principal
With decades of family law experience, Stephen Durbin leads the firm's strategic approach to complex cases. His negotiation expertise has resolved intractable disputes, including a landmark $810,000 lease buyout case, while maintaining focus on clients' emotional and financial well-being.
Melissa Fedsin
Senior Associate Lawyer
Managing lawyer Melissa Fedsin specializes in custody battles and high-conflict separations. She combines legal acumen with compassionate advocacy, ensuring clients understand procedural steps while securing favorable outcomes in court and mediation settings.
Nazifa Islam
Associate Lawyer
Nazifa Islam advocates for clients in divorce proceedings and separation agreements. Recognized for transparent communication, she guides families through property division and child support negotiations while prioritizing children's best interests.
Claire Quigley
Managing Senior Law Clerk
Claire Quigley oversees case management, ensuring seamless client communication and document preparation. Her organizational expertise supports the legal team in maintaining the firm's 24-hour response policy for urgent matters.
Karen Todd
Human Resources Manager
Karen Todd fosters the firm's supportive workplace culture, implementing policies that enable work-life balance for legal professionals handling emotionally demanding family law cases.
Questions
How does Stephen Durbin & Associates handle high-conflict divorce cases?
Our team employs proactive strategies to anticipate issues, prioritizing negotiation while preparing for litigation. We focus on minimizing emotional strain through collaborative problem-solving and experienced courtroom representation when necessary.
What makes your child custody approach different?
We prioritize children's best interests while creating practical parenting plans. Our lawyers consider long-term family dynamics and leverage mediation expertise to craft sustainable custody arrangements.
Can you handle complex property division cases?
Yes, we specialize in high-asset divorces involving businesses, pensions, and international holdings. Our team works with forensic accountants to ensure accurate valuation and equitable distribution of complex assets.
Do you offer emergency legal services?
We maintain a 24-hour response policy for urgent matters, particularly those involving children or court deadlines, ensuring timely legal intervention when needed.
How are legal fees structured?
We provide transparent cost estimates during initial consultations. While specific fees depend on case complexity, our negotiators work efficiently to minimize costs through resolution-focused strategies.
What areas do you serve?
We operate across the Greater Toronto Area with offices in Toronto, Burlington, Oakville, Hamilton, Mississauga, Markham, and Newmarket, serving clients throughout Ontario.
