Stanchieri Family Law

Frequently asked questions

Does Stanchieri Family Law only handle divorce, or other family matters too?

The firm works across family law generally, including divorce and separation, child and spousal support, property division, parenting time and decision making, relocations, and domestic contracts, resolved through negotiation, mediation, collaborative family law, arbitration, or litigation depending on the matter.

My family situation involves another country. Can the firm help?

Yes. The firm handles cross-border family law matters, including questions of which country's courts have jurisdiction, cases involving the Hague Convention on international child abduction, and the recognition and enforcement of foreign family court orders in Ontario.

I've read about the new tort of intimate partner violence. Does the firm handle those claims?

Yes. Following the Supreme Court of Canada's decision recognizing this tort, the firm advises on and represents clients in claims involving patterns of psychological, emotional, financial, or coercive conduct, coordinated alongside any related parenting, support, or property issues.

What does a consultation cost, and does it count toward a retainer?

The firm's website states that an initial consultation is billed at half the applicable hourly rate, with a typical cost in the range the firm lists on its fees page, and that the consultation fee is credited toward future work for clients who go on to sign a standard retainer.

I only need some legal advice, not a lawyer handling my whole case. Is that an option?

Yes. Alongside its standard retainer for full representation, the firm offers a limited retainer that provides legal advice at a reduced rate without the firm taking over representation, and a basic retainer for more straightforward matters.

How long has the firm been practicing, and how big is it?

Julie Stanchieri founded the firm in 2008. It has grown into a team of several family lawyers supported by law clerks, paralegals, and administrative staff, all working exclusively in family law.