Family
Family law disputes can bring out both the best and worst in people. Personal mettle
is tested to the limit. Nerve endings are strained and good judgment can become
the scarcest of commodities.
It is a time when wise counsel is most needed. Our Family Group has the challenge
of strategically guiding our clients through the murky and emotional waters of matrimonial
law. Within the constraints of an imperfect family law system, our aim is to guide
our clients through the ordeal with a minimum of bruising, and with the assurance
that no opportunity is lost, no option ignored.
Liz Van den Eynden leads our Family Group. As she puts it, “In our family law practice,
we too often see our clients at their most vulnerable. It’s not uncommon to feel
betrayed and powerless. Our job is to get our clients through the process in a way
that lets them move forward. We know we must supplement our legal skills with empathy
and understanding in this most personal of practice areas”.
Leisa MacIntosh represents a new generation of family law practitioners. She is
aware of the horror stories that are too common in family law and how the legal
system can be hijacked by an uncontrolled litigant. She sees it as her job to make
sure her clients are protected from such abuse.
Leisa says “Family Law is more than applying rules. When it comes to marriage breakdown,
and especially when there are young children involved, we must think outside of
the box, encouraging our clients and opposing counsel to find both practical and
creative approaches to restructuring a family’s foundation. As much as we can, we
try to take care of the legal challenges, so that our clients can focus on the emotional
adjustments that will be required of themselves, their children and their former
partner.”
Our job is to provide practical and calming advice in the midst of the storm of
marital break up. Where our clients and opposing parties allow us, we search out
strategies that move a broken family from polarized legal positions to co-existence,
in a way that lets both sides move forward with their new lives. When it becomes
necessary, we are prepared to take a more traditional and litigious approach. In
all cases, our strategies are tailored to the needs, obligations and entitlements
of our clients.
OUR SERVICES INCLUDE:
- Divorce
- Separation
- Custody/Access
- Marriage Contracts
- Spousal and Child Support, including variation
- Adoption
- Child Protection & Guardianship
- Adult Protection & Guardianship