Mon-Fri 08:30 am - 4:30 pm
(905) 333-6640
3380 South Service Rd Suite 111 Burlington, Ontario
family lawyer Hamilton Ontario
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Elizabeth’s goal for clients is to resolve matters stemming from separation, amicably as possible,with the cooperation of all parties involved, and in the most-cost-effective manner.

Elizabeth encourages non-adversarial resolutions for her clients and an emphasis on the Collaborative Practice.  The Collaborative Practice is a holistic approach to resolving legal matters outside of court.  The professionals involved care.  There is more to consider, then just the legal component.  All relationships involve emotion to some degree.  The emotional, financial and legal elements are all equally important in Collaborative Practice.

If you are interested in a respectful process option, please visit the following websites to learn more about the Collaborative process:

Ontario Association of Collaborative Professionals at www.oacp.co
Collaborative Practice Hamilton Halton at www.collabfamlaw.com
Peel Halton Practice Group website www.peelcollaborative.com

Practice Areas

Family Law
We are committed to support out the objectives of our clients whether they are looking for a cohabitation agreement, marriage contract, a separation agreement, or a divorce. We have extensive experience working with a broad range of clients requiring assistance with complex financial and child-related issues to simple uncontested divorce.
Collaborative Practice
The Collaborative Family Law process is a very different kind of approach that is frequently favoured over other process options for handling family law matters. Whether the need is for a Cohabitation Agreement, Marriage Contract or a Separation Agreement, the Collaborative process can be a very effective and efficient option that should be considered as an alternative dispute resolution process option.
Separation and divorces
For separation and divorces, instead of one spouse working against the other, both sides are united in striving to find the best resolution for the family “in transition” with the professional team offering guidance as to how to achieve this in the most respectful way. Each spouse will have a personal collaboratively trained lawyer who will offer guidance and legal advice during the process.
Cohabitation Agreements or Marriage Contracts
For Cohabitation Agreements or Marriage Contracts, the Collaborative process makes it possible for couples entering new committed relationships to have what otherwise might seem to be “awkward” discussions in a setting that normalizes such topics. For many couples, it may be difficult to broach the topic of a Cohabitation Agreement or Marriage Contract because it tends to be uncomfortable for the couple to have this type of a discussion with neither one wanting an adverse inference to be drawn by making the suggestion.

Our Team

Elizabeth A. Urban
BARRISTER & SOLICITOR
Patricia
Senior Law Clerk
Marilyn
Accounting/Administrative

FAQ

What Is Collaborative Family Law?
Collaborative Family law is the process of collaborative divorce or collaborative separation that refers to the use of an out-of-court process that addresses the emotional, financial and legal issues that arise as your family transitions from one household to two.
Why Collaborative Practice?
With a distinct problem solving strategy, Collaborative Practice enables separating and Divorcing Couples to put family first and reach lawful resolutions without going
court.
What is the process?
Collaborative Practice is an out-of-court resolution process for separating and divorcing couples.
Each spouse is represented by his or her own lawyer throughout the entire process. Often, the
skills of a neutral family therapist and/or financial specialist are utilized. With an emphasis on full
disclosure, respect, and open communication, this customized approach is client-directed, family-
focused and promotes long lasting legal agreements.
Who is it for?
The collaborative process is ideal for spouses seeking an alternative to traditional, court-based
approaches to divorce and separation. It’s for individuals who want to maintain the best possible
family relationships, now and in the future, especially for the sake of children. It’s for spouses who
recognize that they’re the best at making decisions about family and finance, and not someone
else.
Does it work in cases where there is conflict?
Absolutely. The job of the collaborative professionals is to “set the tone” for positive
communication. People in a legal dispute often feel vulnerable and can be less aware of how their
patterns of communication can cause problems. The collaborative professionals help each client
to present his or her interests and needs in a positive manner that can be heard by the other
participants. The focus of negotiation meetings is to find a solution, not to attack each other.

Testimonials

Many thanks to Elizabeth Urban and her team for helping me navigate through the complicated process of divorce. I always felt supported and was never made to feel that I should proceed at any cost. Elizabeth always made the ‘cost vs benefit’ clear to me, and as a result I feel I was able to make sound and reasonable decisions at each turn in this long road. I felt her advice and guidance to be fair not only to myself, but to my former spouse as well. She helped maintain the ‘human’ component in all dealings, never losing sight of the emotional implications of each potential step. The professionalism of Elizabeth and her team made this journey as smooth as is possible.
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