My practice is focused entirely on family law, allowing me to develop and maintain an in-depth and up-to-date understanding of the issues faced by my clients. In concentrating on a single area of practice, I am ensuring my skills and knowledge align to meet client needs.
I have been working as a family lawyer for over a decade and have experience with a wide range of family law matters. I am not only familiar with issues related to separation and divorce, but also those that are connected to relationship-building, such as cohabitation agreements, marriage contracts (pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements), and assisted reproduction contracts.
My practice is limited exclusively to the out-of-court resolution of family law matters. If you are involved in family court proceedings, or if you expect that court action will be necessary, I am not the right person to assist you. If you have questions about this or if you are unsure whether litigation may be required in your circumstances, please feel free to contact us.
To maximize flexibility and efficiency, my legal services are offered remotely, via Zoom video conference, telephone, and email. Special arrangements can be made to meet in person when required, but clients should expect that most of our work together will be done online.
“I was extremely satisfied with Sharon’s legal expertise and professionalism. She proved to be a reliable and competent lawyer who truly understands her clients’ needs. Sharon’s attentive listening skills and drama-free approach made my legal experience stress-free and efficient.”
D.R.
FAQs
No. Unfortunately I am unable to accept Legal Aid because the only certificates they offer are for litigation. Legal Aid Ontario has a search tool for finding a lawyer who may be able to help. If you do not qualify for legal aid but finances are a barrier to accessing legal advice, reach out to us about our sliding scale options.
No. The amount of work required to properly assist with most family law matters varies widely depending on the circumstances. To make sure that you are not overcharged or undercharged for the work completed on your behalf, I do not offer flat rates for most family law services. However, I do offer a flat rate for the filing of an uncontested divorce if a Separation Agreement has already been completed and there are no changes required.
No. The initial consultation is some of our most valuable time together. In your consultation, we will spend 90 minutes discussing your situation in detail so that I can help you develop a path forward. If finances are a barrier to accessing legal advice, reach out to our office about our sliding scale options.
Your fees for legal services will be based on the time I spend working on your file at the applicable hourly rate. My current hourly rate is $325 plus HST, although I also take on a limited number of clients at reduced rates based on a sliding scale. If you decide to retain me to act on your behalf after your consultation appointment, you will be asked to provide a deposit towards legal services (also known as a “retainer”). The amount of the retainer will depend on the complexity of your file, and the anticipated scope of work required.
If you are seeking representation in court, I am not the right lawyer for you. My practice is focused exclusively on the out-of-court settlement of family law issues. If you are uncertain about whether court will be necessary, you are welcome to book an initial consultation with me to gain clarity on your needs and the ways in which I can support you, as long as you are comfortable with the possibility that I may end up needing to refer you to a colleague.
When I am acting as a lawyer, I can only ever represent one party to the Separation Agreement. It would be a conflict of interest to give legal advice to both sides. When I am acting as a mediator, I do meet with clients together to facilitate settlement discussions. However, I always meet with mediation clients individually first to ensure that mediation will be an appropriate process before getting started.
A lawyer can only advise one party to a contract so you cannot meet together. It would be a conflict of interest to give legal advice to both sides, even when the parties get along and want the same thing.
I have a remote practice, and I meet with clients and other professionals almost exclusively via Zoom video conference. Documents can be sent to us electronically, by mail, or left in a secure drop box located in downtown St. Catharines.