Fees
What it costs, written down before we start
Fixed fees where the work is predictable, clear hourly rates where it isn't, and a written estimate either way. All fees are in Canadian dollars, plus 13% HST.
Fixed-fee packages
For matters you've mostly agreed on
If a fixed-fee matter becomes disputed, we stop, tell you, and agree a new estimate with you before doing more work.
Uncontested divorce
$1,650 + HST
- Checking you qualify and choosing simple or joint
- The application and supporting affidavit
- Filing at the Ottawa courthouse and following up
- Requesting your Certificate of Divorce
- Court fees set by the province, about $670, paid at cost
- Finding a spouse who can't be located
Half when we open the file, half when we file.
Separation agreement
$3,200 + HST
- Up to two meetings with you
- Child and spousal support calculations
- Drafting from the terms you've both agreed
- One round of changes with your spouse's lawyer
- A signing meeting with a witness
- Disputed issues and business or pension valuations
Payable in three instalments if you prefer.
Cohabitation or marriage contract
$2,200 + HST
- A planning meeting about what to protect
- Drafting, with financial disclosure schedules
- One round of changes with your partner's lawyer
- A signing meeting with a witness
- Your partner's own legal advice (they need their own lawyer)
Start at least two months before a wedding date.
Other set fees
Smaller pieces of help
| Service | What you get | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| First phone call | 15 minutes to see if we can help and what it would involve | Free |
| Consultation | 60 minutes with a lawyer and a written summary of your options | $250 |
| Independent legal advice | Reviewing an agreement your spouse's lawyer drafted, up to 3 hours, with the signed certificate | $750 |
| Mediation session | Per hour with the mediator, usually shared between both of you | $380 / hr |
Hourly rates
When the work can't be predicted
Contested matters, support disputes and property cases are billed by the hour, in 6-minute units. We give the work to the right level of experience, so you don't pay senior rates for routine tasks.
| Level | Who | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Founding lawyer, 20+ years | Helen Marchand | $460 / hr |
| Lawyer, 10+ years | Daniel Osei | $395 / hr |
| Lawyer, 5+ years | Priya Raman | $340 / hr |
| Associate | Julien Tremblay, Farah Haddad | $275 / hr |
| Law clerk | Document preparation and disclosure | $145 / hr |
Retainers explained
Where your deposit goes
It stays your money until we bill
A retainer is a deposit held in our trust account. It only becomes ours when we send you an invoice for work done.
How much
Half the fee for fixed-fee packages. For hourly work, usually $3,000 to $7,500, depending on what is at stake. We set it in writing with you.
Monthly, itemised invoices
Each entry shows the date, who did the work, what it was and how long it took.
Top-ups, agreed in advance
If the balance runs low, we ask before it runs out, never after.
Anything left comes back
When your file closes, we refund any unused retainer.
We take e-transfer, debit and credit cards. Some of our lawyers accept Legal Aid Ontario certificates; ask on your first call.
Want a quote for your situation?
Tell us briefly what you need. After a conflict check we will call, and if it fits a fixed fee we will say so.