Business Details
Trusted Family Law Lawyers in Toronto
Gelman & Associates is a dedicated family law firm serving clients across Ontario with compassion, integrity, and legal expertise. Our team of experienced lawyers specializes in guiding individuals through complex family law matters, including divorce, child custody, spousal support, and property division. We prioritize clear communication and personalized service, ensuring clients feel empowered to make informed decisions. With offices in Toronto and throughout Ontario, we combine a diverse team of legal professionals with multilingual capabilities to meet the unique needs of every client.Our commitment to exceptional customer service is reflected in extended phone hours and free psychological consultations for clients during challenging times. Recognized with awards such as Top Choice Awards and Consumer Choice Awards, we leverage decades of collective experience to deliver tailored legal solutions while maintaining a client-centered approach.
Services
Divorce
Child Custody
Spousal Support
Adoption
Property Division
Prenuptial Agreements
Child Support
Collaborative Law
Mediation
Same-Sex Divorce
Highlights and features
- Diverse team of male and female lawyers from various ethnic backgrounds
- Award-winning service recognized by Top Choice and Consumer Choice Awards
- Multilingual legal support in Farsi, Hebrew, French, Portuguese, and more
- Free psychological consultations for client well-being during legal proceedings
- Eight accessible Ontario offices with extended weekday phone availability
What people say
Exceptional legal battle success
Dedicated and professional team
Caring and smart lawyers
Flawless service delivery
Highly recommend services
Services
Divorce
Our Toronto divorce lawyers guide clients through contested and uncontested divorces with compassion and legal expertise. We handle documentation, court representation, and settlement negotiations while protecting clients' rights regarding property division, child custody, and support payments. The process considers factors like separation duration, adultery, or cruelty claims while prioritizing client interests throughout Ontario's legal framework.
Child Custody
We advocate for fair custody arrangements focusing on children's best interests. Our services cover decision-making responsibility, parenting time, and access rights while addressing relocation concerns. Lawyers help draft agreements considering factors like parental mental health, cultural considerations, and children's adjustment needs, ensuring compliance with Ontario's evolving family law standards.
Spousal Support
Our team provides strategic guidance on spousal support entitlement and payment arrangements. We consider factors like marriage duration, financial disparities, and care responsibilities while negotiating fair agreements. Services include modifying existing orders due to changed circumstances and addressing complex issues like remarriage impacts or long-term support obligations.
Adoption
We facilitate various adoption pathways including step-parent, private agency, and international adoptions. Our services ensure compliance with Ontario's legal requirements while prioritizing children's well-being. Lawyers guide clients through home studies, documentation, and court processes to complete adoptions that meet strict regulatory standards and protect all parties' interests.
Child Support
We establish fair child support arrangements using Ontario's guidelines while addressing special circumstances. Services include calculating payments based on gross income, handling disputes over undisclosed earnings, and managing extraordinary expenses like education or medical needs. Our team ensures compliance with evolving regulations while protecting children's financial security.
People
Lisa Gelman
Senior Lawyer
Lisa Gelman is a senior family law attorney with decades of experience in Ontario. Recognized in the Toronto Star for expertise in business and child support matters, she leads a diverse legal team committed to client empowerment through education and strategic representation.
Karen Kotansky
Senior Lawyer (Not Practicing)
Karen Kotansky brings extensive family law experience to Gelman & Associates despite currently not practicing. Her legal background contributes to the firm's collective expertise in handling complex family law matters across Ontario.
Anmol Kataruka
Lawyer
Anmol Kataruka provides dedicated family law representation, focusing on client communication and legal strategy. As part of Gelman's diverse team, he contributes to handling cases involving custody, support, and property division matters across Ontario.
Claire McDowell
Lawyer
Claire McDowell offers comprehensive family law services with a focus on client-centered solutions. She works closely with Gelman's team to address divorce, custody, and support issues while maintaining the firm's commitment to accessible legal representation.
Elizabeth Jacob
Lawyer
Elizabeth Jacob provides legal counsel on family law matters, combining compassion with litigation expertise. She contributes to Gelman's mission of empowering clients through education while handling cases involving property division, custody disputes, and support arrangements.
Questions
Can social media posts affect divorce outcomes?
Social media content can impact divorce proceedings if it contradicts claims about financial hardship or parenting capabilities. Posts showing expensive trips or drug use may affect credibility in custody or support disputes.
How does relocation affect custody rights?
Moving after divorce requires court approval when children are involved. Courts evaluate relocation based on the child's best interests, considering factors like educational continuity and relationship maintenance with the non-custodial parent.
Can spouses modify existing support agreements?
Support agreements can be modified with mutual consent or through court applications demonstrating significant life changes affecting financial circumstances or parenting arrangements.
What constitutes international child abduction?
International child abduction occurs when a parent removes children from Canada without proper authorization, violating custody arrangements. Legal remedies exist through international treaties and domestic family law enforcement mechanisms.
How does debt impact property division during divorce?
High debt levels affect property equalization in Ontario divorces. Courts carefully examine debt origins to ensure fair distribution while protecting both parties' financial interests during asset division.
What defines a matrimonial home?
The matrimonial home receives special legal status in Ontario, granting both spouses equal possession rights regardless of ownership. This impacts property division and living arrangements during separation proceedings.
Videos
