Business Details
40 Years
experience
Your Trusted Legal Partner in Dartmouth Since 1986
Since 1986, Heritage House Law Office has been serving clients from our historic downtown Dartmouth location at 92 Ochterloney Street. Originally established as MacIntyre MacKinnon, our practice has evolved while maintaining the integrity and community focus reflected in our heritage building, constructed in 1871. Our team actively contributes to local organizations like Northwood Care through board service and volunteer work, demonstrating our commitment beyond legal representation. Clients consistently note our welcoming atmosphere, which sets us apart from traditional legal environments. With lawyers recognized among the most experienced in Nova Scotia, we deliver strategic solutions across diverse legal disciplines.Our staff includes dedicated professionals with over 30 years of tenure, ensuring continuity and expertise in every transaction. We prioritize timely service without compromising attention to detail, particularly for time-sensitive matters. Our practice spans real estate, corporate law, family law, estate planning, civil litigation, and specialized areas like immigration and criminal law. This depth of experience allows us to handle matters ranging from straightforward transactions to complex litigation. Our approach combines personalized service with comprehensive legal expertise, ensuring clients receive both compassionate guidance and effective representation.
Services
Real Estate Law
Corporate & Commercial Law
Wills & Estates
Family Law
Civil Litigation
Contracts
Criminal Law
Immigration Law
Representation Orders
Estate Litigation
Details
- Year established: 1986
Highlights and features
- We have over 35 years of legal experience serving Dartmouth and surrounding areas
- Our lawyers are recognized leaders in multiple specialized legal disciplines
- Dedicated staff with 30+ years of collective experience ensures transactional excellence
- Timely solutions prioritizing client deadlines without compromising legal accuracy
- Active community involvement through local boards and charitable initiatives
Services
Real Estate Law
Specializing in residential and commercial real estate transactions, we handle property purchases, sales, refinancing, and electronic registration migrations. Our dedicated team manages new construction, condominiums, and commercial leases while providing personalized guidance from initial agreement to closing. With experienced staff available for home visits when needed, we ensure smooth transactions for all property types across Nova Scotia.
Corporate Law
We support businesses of all sizes with incorporation, contract negotiations, and commercial real estate transactions. Our services include shareholder agreements, business succession planning, and expansion strategies. The team assists with both start-ups and established corporations, providing tailored legal solutions for operations, restructuring, and commercial agreements while maintaining focus on practical business outcomes.
Family Law
Our experienced family law team handles divorce, child custody, support arrangements, and property division with compassionate expertise. We prepare cohabitation agreements, marriage contracts, and court documents while facilitating settlement negotiations. The practice addresses complex issues like child protection and grandparent access, combining legal knowledge with sensitivity to clients' personal circumstances throughout the process.
Estate Planning
We provide comprehensive estate planning services including wills, power of attorney, and healthcare directives. Our dedicated department offers home visits for clients with mobility challenges and handles estate litigation when disputes arise. The team manages trust creation, executor guidance, and contested will proceedings, ensuring clients' wishes are properly documented and protected through proper legal frameworks.
Civil Litigation
Representing clients in court matters across business disputes, contract breaches, and property conflicts, we combine negotiation skills with trial experience. Our services cover employment law issues, real property disputes, and estate litigation while prioritizing cost-effective resolutions. With representation in all Nova Scotia court levels, we focus on achieving practical outcomes that protect clients' financial interests through both settlement and trial advocacy.
People
David F. Morrison
Lawyer - Partner
Experienced legal professional with extensive knowledge in real estate and corporate transactions, providing personalized client service through comprehensive legal solutions at Heritage House Law Office.
Mark Charles
Lawyer - Partner
Skilled partner specializing in business law and commercial transactions, offering strategic guidance for corporate clients ranging from start-ups to established private corporations across Nova Scotia.
Cheryl C. Arnold
Lawyer
Dedicated legal practitioner focusing on family law matters, providing compassionate representation for clients navigating divorce, custody issues, and domestic agreements with professional expertise.
Lisanne M. Jacklin
Lawyer
Experienced attorney handling estate planning and litigation matters, offering home visit services for clients requiring personalized legal assistance with wills and trusts.
M. Kathleen Lumsden
Associate Lawyer
Associate lawyer providing legal support across multiple practice areas, working closely with senior partners to deliver comprehensive legal services to Dartmouth clients.
Questions
What legal services does Heritage House Law Office offer?
We provide real estate transactions, corporate/commercial law, wills/estates, family law, civil litigation, contracts, criminal law, immigration, and representation orders.
How long has Heritage House Law Office been operating?
Our firm has served Dartmouth and surrounding areas since 1986, with some staff members having over 30 years of continuous service.
Do you handle real estate transactions across Nova Scotia?
Yes, we manage residential and commercial property transactions province-wide, including electronic registration migrations and new construction projects.
Can you assist with business formation and corporate matters?
We support business clients with incorporations, contract negotiations, commercial leases, and succession planning for family-owned businesses.
Do you offer home visits for estate planning?
Yes, our estate planning team provides home visits for clients with mobility challenges or special circumstances requiring in-person document preparation.
What areas do you serve beyond Dartmouth?
While based in Dartmouth, we represent clients throughout Nova Scotia in all our practice areas including Halifax, Sydney, and surrounding regions.
