Services
Our team is prepared to handle all types of family cases
About Paul Cooper
We believe in any family law matter, the right strategic approach must be tailored to each case.
We all share the view that prioritizing the best interests of children is a paramount objective. Some cases require a firm and aggressive approach, while other cases may require a more nuanced and compassionate approach. No two people are the same, all families are unique, and all family law matters must be treated this way.
We provide services in all aspects of family law, including Children’s Aid Society and all child protection matters, as well as domestic family law issues involving custody and access issues, child support, spousal support, and property issues including resolving issues relating to the Matrimonial Home, and equalization. Lastly, where settlement is possible, we are happy to negotiate and draft marriage contracts or separation agreements, or provide independent legal advice on any agreement that may already have been reached.
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Child Custody
& Access
In Ontario, the governing legislation is the Children’s Law Reform Act. This legislation provides Court’s with the law to follow in dealing with child related family law issues. The term ‘custody’ is now called ‘Decision-making Responsibility, and refers to a parent or guardian’s legal responsibility and authority to make major decisions for a child related primarily to health, education and religion. Custody/Decision-making responsibility is distinct from ‘access’, which is now referred to as ‘parenting time’.
Parenting time refers to the time parents spend with the child. Most custody and access arrangements are made between the parents themselves with the assistance of professionals.
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Travel with children
Before travelling with a child within the country or abroad, a parent should check the agreement or court order to see if she/he needs the other parent’s permission for the child to travel and if she/he needs to obtain the other parents’ consent about the travel plans.
Sometimes the other parent may not cooperate, or there may be a restraining Order in place, or a history of abuse, and therefore obtaining that parent’s consent to travel, or to apply for a passport, will be difficult or impossible. A Court, in appropriate circumstances, can make an Order that enables the requesting parent to both obtain documentation such as passport for the child without the other parent’s consent, or to travel abroad without the other parent’s consent.
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Child support
Children are entitled to support as an established legal right of their own. Child Support is paid to the recipient parent, but it is the right of the child and often provides substantial assistance to a parenting providing primary care to the child or children.
Child Support is calculated using the payor parent’s income, and the Child Support Guidelines. Sometimes determining the amount of child support is simple. For example, if the payor parent is a T4 employee working full time, that person’s tax return will likely provide an accurate assessment of their income. Sometimes however, a person is self-employed, and their income is more difficult to determine due to deductions that lower their income. These deductions are permitted for income tax reasons, but many allowable deductions are not allowed in Family Law.
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Spousal support
Unlike child support, which is governed by the Family Law Act and the Child Support Guidelines, spousal support is more discretionary, and Courts are informed by, but not obligated to comply with the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines.
These guidelines provide a range of spousal support that could be paid, depending on many factors, including both parties’ incomes, or income earning ability, the roles the parties played during the marriage or cohabitation, the health of each party at the time of separation, any sacrifices made by either party during the marriage or cohabitation, the ages of the spouses, how long they’ve been married or lived together, the parties’ employment history and/or future employment prospects, among others.
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Divorce & property issues
When two people are married, property acquired during the marriage is family property, regardless of whose name any particular property may be in. His toaster is your toaster, your RRSP is his RRSP. Division of property and equalization is an instrument of law that looks at what each party had on the day they got married, then looks at what each party had on the date of separation. The difference is called Net Family Property. If one party’s Net Family Property is higher than the other party’s, splitting the difference is called equalization, which requires the party with the higher Net Family Property to pay to the other half the amount of the difference. In short, this is complicated. Sometimes it can be very complicated. Making a mistake may result in losing thousands, or millions of dollars.
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Contracts & agreements
It is always better for you and your partner to resolve all legal issues outside of Court. A Judge is a stranger to your family, you and your former partner will be in the better position to know what is best for your family and children. If negotiations are unsuccessful, an application to Court may be appropriate. Often when both parties are represented by experienced family lawyers, some or all issues can be resolved without ever seeing the inside of a courtroom.
An experienced family law lawyer will be able to guide you as to whether negotiating a separation agreement is the right approach.
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Child protection, such as children’s aid society matters
Child protection matters are the most serious and potentially consequential matters in Family Law. The Children’s Aid Society, or other applicable child protection agency in your area, has the statutory authority to remove a child or children from your care if there is a risk of emotional or physical harm. Defining emotional or physical harm can be difficult, and is not instinctive. Knowing how to respond when contacted by a child protection agency, and knowing how to conduct yourself while involved with any agency, is critical in these circumstances.
Child Protection Matters refer to the specific circumstances when Children Aid Societies (CAS) in Ontario takes away from his/her parents in the belief that the child may require protection from their caregivers or parents
Why Choose Us
Our core values are the foundation of everything we do.
As lawyers exclusively dedicated to the practice of family law, we emphasize the value of a deep knowledge of the law, but also the importance of maintaining good ‘people skills’, which is critical in assisting all clients when navigating through the complex legal realities of transitioning families.
Innovative
Paul Cooper takes a modern, solution-focused approach to family law. He uses creative strategies and smart tools to resolve issues efficiently and effectively.
Effective
Focused, strategic, and results-driven — Paul gets outcomes that protect what matters most. Every move he makes is with purpose and precision.
Experience
With years of hands-on experience, Paul has guided clients through everything from simple separations to complex court battles. He brings calm, confidence, and clarity to every case.
Integrity
Paul leads with honesty, transparency, and strong ethics. Clients know he’s in their corner — for the right reasons, every time.
Testimonials
Real experiences from people just like you see how our expertise and dedication have made a difference in their cases.