About HD Collaborative Law
HD Collaborative Law is a family law practice in Waterloo, Ontario, built around settlement instead of court. Founded and run by Debbie P. Hoffman, the firm handles collaborative divorce, family mediation, and conflict and communication coaching, and it drafts and reviews cohabitation agreements, marriage contracts, prenuptial agreements, and separation agreements. The approach is consensual dispute resolution. In a collaborative divorce, each spouse retains a collaborative lawyer and everyone signs an agreement to share the information needed for good decisions and to stay out of court while they work toward a separation agreement. Depending on the family, the process can bring in a financial professional for questions like income or business valuation, or a family professional to help build a parenting plan.
The founder was called to the bar in Yukon and British Columbia in 1995 and practised family law and litigation in the Yukon for 22 years before moving to Southern Ontario in 2016. That history still shapes the firm. It keeps practising status with the Law Society of Yukon and takes collaborative divorce, mediation, and coaching clients across Yukon communities as well as in Waterloo Region. Much of the work happens by appointment and over video, and consultations are booked directly with the office.
Practice areas
Not listed
Milestones & recognition
- Founder Debbie P. Hoffman was called to the bar in Yukon and British Columbia in 1995.
- Before opening the Waterloo practice, Hoffman practised family law and litigation in the Yukon for 22 years, moving to Southern Ontario in 2016.
- The firm keeps practising status with the Law Society of Yukon and serves collaborative divorce, mediation, and conflict coaching clients across Yukon communities.
- The firm's website features a Waterloo Region Record Reader's Choice award.
In the community
- Hoffman co-chairs the Collaborative Practice of Waterloo Region, a regional group of the Ontario Association of Collaborative Professionals.
- The firm is a member of Best4All (Collaborative Divorce Waterloo Region), a network of collaborative legal, financial, and family professionals serving the region.
- The firm publishes a blog on collaborative divorce, mediation, and child-centred separation.
- Hoffman has appeared as a guest on 570 CityNews Kitchener-Waterloo's Ask the Expert and on the Divorce Solutions podcast.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessibleLawyers 1
Offices 2
The neighbourhood
The office sits on Buttonbush Street in Vista Hills, a newer residential neighbourhood on Waterloo's west side, rather than a downtown block of law offices. That setting fits the way the firm works. Because the practice is built around private, by-appointment meetings and video calls, clients don't have to navigate a courthouse or a legal district; a session might happen in a quiet office or on Zoom, where the firm's rescue dog, Fermin, sometimes makes a cameo. The reach runs well past the neighbourhood too, from Waterloo Region out to the Yukon communities the founder served for more than two decades.
Frequently asked questions
- Does HD Collaborative Law go to court?
- No. The firm focuses on out-of-court options: collaborative divorce, mediation, and conflict coaching. In a collaborative divorce, both spouses and their lawyers agree in writing to share information and stay out of court while they work toward a separation agreement.
- What's the difference between collaborative divorce and mediation at this firm?
- In a collaborative divorce, each spouse has their own collaborative lawyer, and the team can add a financial or family professional when needed. In mediation, one neutral mediator helps both people reach agreement and doesn't represent either side; during mediation the firm provides legal information rather than legal advice.
- Can the firm draft or review a separation, cohabitation, or prenuptial agreement?
- Yes. HD Collaborative Law drafts and reviews separation agreements, cohabitation agreements, marriage contracts, and prenuptial agreements, and it can give independent legal advice on an agreement reached through another mediator.
- How much is a first consultation and how do I book?
- An initial one-hour consultation is $300 plus HST. You book directly with the office at 519-591-1962 or dhoffman@hdcollaborativelaw.com, weekdays from 10am to 5pm.
- The firm is in Waterloo, so can it still help clients in the Yukon?
- Yes. The firm keeps practising status with the Law Society of Yukon and takes collaborative divorce, mediation, and conflict coaching clients across Yukon communities, working with them remotely from Waterloo.
- Where is the office, and do meetings happen in person or online?
- The office is at 256 Buttonbush Street in west Waterloo. Much of the work is by appointment and over video, so a meeting can be in person or on Zoom, whichever suits the client.
Similar firms in Waterloo Region
Peter M. Miller Law is the Waterloo practice of Peter M. Miller, who focuses on real estate and mortgages. He also handles family law, wills and estates, business incorporation, landlord representation and notary work…
Real Estate Law
Family Law
Wills, Estates & Trusts
Business & Corporate Law
AValois Law Professional Corporation is a solo practice in Uptown Waterloo led by Aida Valois. It focuses on real estate transactions, business and corporate law, and wills and estates, including estate administration…
Real Estate LawBusiness & Corporate LawWills, Estates & Trusts
Notary & Commissioner Services
Jane McKenzie Family Law is a solo practice in Waterloo, Ontario, focused exclusively on family law in the Kitchener-Waterloo region. Jane McKenzie handles divorce, parenting time and decision-making, child support, C…
Family LawListing compiled from the firm’s public website in August 2026. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗