Simple divorce
One spouse applies for divorce only. The application must be properly served on the other spouse, unless the court orders otherwise. It may proceed as uncontested if no Answer is filed and the court requirements are met.
Divorce • Separation • Family Law Agreements
Shaikh Law Firm provides divorce and family-law advice and representation to Scarborough clients. We assist with uncontested divorce, separation agreements, parenting, support and property disputes.
Clear Advice. Practical Solutions.
Free 15-minute initial consultation · Remote service · In-person meetings by appointment
A clear path forward
Separation can raise immediate questions about your children, home and finances. Whether you need a divorce lawyer in Scarborough for a straightforward application or a family lawyer to address a dispute, our team explains your options and the legal work your circumstances require.
Our services include simple and joint divorce, contested proceedings, separation agreements and changes to existing parenting or support arrangements. We assess negotiation and other suitable dispute-resolution options alongside court proceedings.
The introductory consultation concerns your enquiry and available services; it does not include detailed legal advice or document review. Representation is subject to conflict checks and confirmation of engagement.
Simple & joint applications
An uncontested divorce is a proceeding in which the divorce is not opposed. Our standard fixed-fee service is for a divorce-only application through obtaining the Divorce Order.
One spouse applies for divorce only. The application must be properly served on the other spouse, unless the court orders otherwise. It may proceed as uncontested if no Answer is filed and the court requirements are met.
Both spouses apply together and sign the required materials. Joint applicants do not serve the application on one another. A joint application avoids that service stage but does not guarantee a particular completion date.
A simple application can become contested. If your spouse files an Answer or additional claims arise, further work falls outside the standard fixed fee. A divorce-only order does not itself settle parenting, support or property claims.
A separation agreement is not required in every divorce case, and outstanding property or support issues do not invariably prevent a divorce-only order. Those issues, child support arrangements and applicable deadlines require individual review.
Read our Ontario uncontested divorce guide.
Free ConsultationTransparent legal fees
Our legal fee for an eligible standard uncontested divorce is $999 + HST. Standard court and registry fees are $669 additional.
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| Legal fee | $999.00 |
| HST on legal fee | $129.87 |
| Court and registry fees ($224 + $445) | $669.00 |
| Base subtotal | $1,797.87 |
The base subtotal excludes applicable additional legal work and third-party expenses.
Service outside Canada may involve additional legal fees and service expenses. Broader family-law work requires a separate scope and fee arrangement, explained before engagement.
See our current uncontested divorce retainer terms and Ontario divorce cost guide.
From application to order
Court processing time varies with service, document completeness, registry clearance and court workload. We do not guarantee a completion date or court approval.
For the detailed procedure, see our uncontested divorce guide.
Requirements & preparation
You must have a legally recognized marriage and meet the applicable jurisdictional requirements. Ordinarily, either spouse must have been habitually resident in Ontario for at least one year immediately before proceedings begin.
Most standard uncontested applications rely on one year of separation. You may start proceedings before the year is complete if the requirements are met, but a separation-based divorce cannot be granted until that year has elapsed. Adultery and cruelty involve different evidence and require individual advice.
Where there are children of the marriage, the court must be satisfied that reasonable child support arrangements have been made, having regard to the applicable guidelines.
If the marriage certificate is unavailable, or your spouse lives outside Canada, tell us at the outset so we can assess the appropriate procedure and any additional work.
For Scarborough clients, our team confirms the appropriate Superior Court of Justice filing location and current filing procedure. Online service does not remove legal requirements for signing, commissioning or serving documents.
Official guidance: Divorce Act and Ontario Family Law Rules.
Beyond the divorce application
Our family lawyers help Scarborough clients address the legal and financial consequences of separation. These services are separate from the fixed-fee divorce-only retainer.
Advice, negotiation and representation where a divorce or related family-law claims are disputed. We assess the issues, evidence and appropriate steps, including settlement options and court proceedings where needed.
Drafting, review and negotiation of terms addressing parenting, support, property and debts, with appropriate financial disclosure and advice.
Separation agreement lawyer servicesAssistance with parenting time, decision-making responsibility, parenting plans, relocation concerns and changes to existing arrangements. Children’s best interests guide the applicable legal analysis.
Advice about income disclosure, child support, special expenses, spousal support and variations or enforcement issues. Entitlement and amounts depend on the applicable law and circumstances.
Advice concerning equalization, assets, debts, pension interests and matrimonial-home issues. Married and common-law partners have different property rights; divorce alone does not divide assets.
Assistance with common-law separation, cohabitation agreements, marriage contracts and independent legal advice. We also assess requests to change existing support or parenting orders.
If you intend to remarry in Ontario, ask about our foreign divorce opinion letter service. Eligibility and supporting documents require review.
For broader family-law assistance, call our team or select “Not Sure” in the consultation form and briefly identify the service you need.
Free ConsultationClient experiences
Selected Google review excerpts from clients who retained Shaikh Law Firm for divorce proceedings and a cohabitation agreement.
★★★★★
“The team at Shaikh Law Firm were incredible from Day 1. … Their fees were upfront and transparent, with no surprises”
★★★★★
“The agreement was very thorough & fair. The staff I worked with were professional, friendly & attentive (thank you Gayatri).”
Ellipsis indicates omitted text. Individual experiences do not guarantee a particular result.
Read reviews on GoogleShaikh Law Firm · Serving Scarborough
Our firm is headquartered in Mississauga and serves clients in Scarborough, including residents of Agincourt, Malvern, Woburn and the surrounding communities.
Online intake, telephone and video appointments can reduce travel. In-person meetings are available by arrangement at our Mississauga head office or another confirmed firm location. Please contact us to arrange an appointment before visiting.
Your questions answered
Yes. Request a free 15-minute introductory consultation to discuss the general nature of your enquiry, the services available and possible next steps. Detailed legal advice, document review and representation require an agreed engagement.
Our standard legal fee is $999 + HST. Court and registry fees are $669 additional, giving a base subtotal of $1,797.87 before applicable additional expenses. The fixed fee covers divorce-only work through obtaining the Divorce Order. A Divorce Certificate and ancillary disputes are excluded.
We assist with uncontested and contested divorce, separation agreements, parenting time and decision-making responsibility, child and spousal support, property and pension issues, family-law agreements and changes to existing orders. Scope and fees are agreed for the work required.
Yes, this may be possible. The court must be satisfied about reasonable child support arrangements. A divorce-only order does not resolve property, parenting or support disputes. We review outstanding issues, existing proceedings and deadlines before advising whether the divorce-only process is appropriate.
Not in every case. An agreement can record financial and parenting arrangements, but it is not a universal prerequisite to divorce. Outstanding issues and the consequences of obtaining a divorce should be reviewed with your lawyer.
For a simple application, the other spouse’s signature on the application is not required, but proper service and an opportunity to respond are generally required. Both spouses participate and sign in a joint application. We do not act for both spouses in a dispute.
Processing usually involves several months and depends on service, separation dates, registry clearance, complete documents and court workload. A straightforward uncontested divorce is generally decided on written materials without personal attendance, but the court can require further steps. There is no guaranteed timeline.
Yes. We offer remote communication and appointments for Scarborough clients, with signing arrangements confirmed for the documents involved. Online service does not remove court filing, commissioning or service requirements. In-person meetings are available by arrangement.
Parenting decisions focus on the child’s best interests. Child support generally depends on the applicable guidelines, income and parenting arrangements; spousal support requires an assessment of entitlement and the circumstances. Married spouses’ property claims may involve equalization and special matrimonial-home rules. We assess your specific rights rather than assuming each asset is automatically split in half.
We can assess negotiation, suitable dispute-resolution options and court representation where agreement is not possible. You may seek to change counsel during a proceeding; arrange transfer carefully to protect deadlines, manage costs and comply with applicable court procedure.
Shaikh Law Firm is headquartered in Mississauga and serves Scarborough clients. Remote service is available and in-person appointments can be arranged at a confirmed firm location. Contact us before visiting.
Further reading
For detailed explanations of the law and procedure, explore these resources:
Official sources: Divorce Act · Family Law Rules · Ontario family court fees.
This page provides general information. Obtain advice tailored to your circumstances before making decisions about your rights or court proceedings.
Free 15-minute initial consultation
Speak with our team about a simple or joint divorce, or broader family-law assistance for Scarborough clients. For an uncontested divorce enquiry, select the appropriate application type. For another family-law matter, select “Not Sure” and briefly identify the service needed.
Provide only the general nature of your enquiry. Please do not send confidential documents or detailed sensitive information through this initial form.
Prefer to speak with our team?
Call (905) 795-7757 · info@slclawyer.ca
Submitting this form does not establish a solicitor-client relationship. The introductory consultation does not include detailed legal advice or representation. Engagement is subject to conflict checks, agreement on scope and terms, and confirmation by Shaikh Law Firm.