Nussbaum Law Locations

Markham Family Lawyer for Divorce and Custody

When your marriage ends or custody issues arise, you need a family lawyer who knows Markham and York Region. At Nussbaum Law, we represent clients throughout Markham in divorce, child custody, spousal support, and property division matters. We prepare every client for appearances at the Newmarket Courthouse and work to resolve family disputes through negotiation, mediation, or court representation when necessary.

Trusted by Markham Families

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Your Trusted Family Law Team Serving Markham and York Region

Choosing a local family lawyer means working with someone who knows the judges, court staff, and procedures at the Newmarket Courthouse. I’ve spent over a decade representing families throughout York Region in divorce, custody battles, and support disputes – that experience makes a difference when your case moves through the system.

Markham is home to over 338,000 residents, making it the fourth-largest city in the Greater Toronto Area. According to Statistics Canada’s 2021 Census, 82% of Markham residents identify as visible minorities, with significant Chinese, South Asian, and other immigrant communities. Our team understands the cultural considerations that shape family decisions – from how parents approach custody arrangements to expectations around financial support – in Markham’s diverse neighbourhoods.

York Region families face unique considerations. Property values in Markham are among the highest in Ontario, with complex assets like stock options, business interests, and retirement accounts requiring careful division during divorce. Many families also navigate cross-border issues or concern themselves with how separation affects children’s custody schedules and child support calculations when parents work in different cities.

We work with families in every part of Markham – from Unionville’s historic neighbourhoods to the newer developments near Highway 7 and the communities along 16th Avenue. Whether you live near Markham Village, work in the technology corridor, or are dealing with custody disputes while managing a business, we focus on protecting your interests while helping you move forward.

Comprehensive Family Law Services in Markham

We handle all aspects of family law for Markham residents, with particular expertise in divorce, custody, and support matters. Our services address the legal issues that matter most during separation.

Divorce and Separation: Whether you’re pursuing an uncontested divorce or facing contested issues around property and support, we guide you through the process from filing to final order. We handle simple divorces and complex cases involving high conflict or significant assets. Learn more about divorce in Ontario.

Child Custody and Parenting Time: Custody decisions are often the most difficult part of separation. We help parents create parenting plans that work for their children’s schedules and protect each parent’s relationship with their kids. From sole custody arrangements to shared parenting schedules, we advocate for solutions that serve your children’s interests. Read about custody and access rights.

Child Support: Ontario’s Child Support Guidelines determine most support amounts, but calculations become complex with self-employment income, bonuses, stock options, or split custody arrangements. We make sure child support calculations are accurate and fair, whether you’re the paying or receiving parent. Understand child support calculations.

Spousal Support: Support obligations depend on income, length of marriage, roles during the relationship, and each spouse’s ability to become self-sufficient. We advocate for fair spousal support arrangements in both temporary and permanent orders, recognizing how support affects your ability to move forward after divorce. Learn about spousal support.

Property Division: Ontario’s Family Law Act requires equal division of property accumulated during marriage. High-value homes, pensions, investments, and business interests require proper valuation and strategic negotiation during divorce proceedings. Explore property division rules.

Prenuptial and Cohabitation Agreements: Marriage contracts and cohabitation agreements protect assets, clarify financial expectations around support and property, and reduce conflict if relationships end. These agreements are particularly valuable for second marriages, business owners, and anyone with significant pre-relationship assets. See how domestic contracts work.

Navigating Newmarket Courthouse with Confidence

All family law cases in Markham – including divorce applications, custody motions, and support hearings – are heard at the Newmarket Courthouse, located at 50 Eagle Street West in Newmarket. The courthouse serves all of York Region, handling matters for the Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice.

The Newmarket Courthouse operates with specific schedules and procedures. Family matters are heard on designated days – case conferences typically run on Mondays and Fridays, settlement conferences on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and motions on Wednesday mornings at 9:30. Understanding these schedules helps us plan your divorce timeline, prepare custody arguments, and present support evidence effectively.

Court can feel intimidating if you’ve never been before, especially when facing custody decisions or finalizing your divorce. The building is fully accessible with designated parking, and bilingual services are available. The Family Law Information Centre (FLIC) operates on-site, providing free information about divorce procedures, custody processes, and support calculations. We prepare every client thoroughly before court appearances, explaining what to expect, how to present yourself, and what documents you’ll need.

Our preparation includes reviewing your case strategy – whether that’s positioning custody arguments, responding to support claims, or finalizing divorce terms. We discuss potential outcomes and make sure you understand the process. We’ve appeared at Newmarket Courthouse hundreds of times for divorce hearings, custody trials, and support motions. That familiarity helps us position your case effectively and anticipate how judges approach custody decisions, support disputes, and divorce settlements.

Most cases settle before trial, which is good – trials are expensive and stressful. We work toward settlement whenever possible, whether negotiating custody schedules, agreeing on support amounts, or finalizing divorce terms. But we’re always prepared to take your case to court if that’s what’s needed to protect your rights. Having a lawyer who knows the Newmarket Courthouse and has proven courtroom experience in divorce, custody, and support litigation gives you confidence regardless of how your case unfolds.

Why Markham Families Choose Nussbaum Law

Since founding Nussbaum Law in 2012, I’ve built a practice around one principle – family law clients deserve honest, strategic advice delivered with genuine care. We’ve served over 1,200 clients in the past year alone, helping families throughout the Greater Toronto Area resolve divorce disputes, custody battles, and support conflicts – some of the most difficult situations they’ll ever face.

Markham’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths. We work with families from Chinese, South Asian, Middle Eastern, and European backgrounds, understanding that cultural considerations shape how people approach marriage, divorce, custody decisions, and financial support obligations. Our team recognizes these differences and tailors our approach to each family’s values and circumstances. Legal advice works better when it accounts for the whole person, not just the legal issue.

Every consultation at Nussbaum Law is free. You’ll meet with a lawyer who takes time to understand your situation – whether you’re considering divorce, concerned about custody, or dealing with support disputes. We explain your options and answer your questions without pressure or judgment. We believe you should know what you’re facing before you commit to anything, and that starts with a conversation where you get clear, practical information about divorce timelines, custody factors, and support calculations.

Our fees are designed to be transparent and reasonable. We offer flexible payment arrangements and work within your budget whenever possible. You’ll always know what services cost before we proceed, and you’ll receive regular updates about where your divorce, custody case, or support matter stands. Family law is stressful enough without worrying about unexpected legal bills or being kept in the dark about your own case.

Serving Communities Throughout York Region

While we focus on serving Markham, our practice extends throughout York Region. We regularly represent clients from Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Stouffville, Aurora, and Newmarket in divorce proceedings, custody disputes, and support matters. The proximity of these communities means families often have connections across multiple cities – one parent might work in Toronto while the other works in Markham, complicating custody schedules and support calculations when separation happens.

Markham’s neighbourhoods each have their own character. Unionville maintains its small-town charm along Main Street while newer developments near Highway 7 reflect Markham’s growth as a technology hub. Thornhill straddles the Markham-Vaughan border, creating additional considerations for families living there who face custody arrangements or divorce proceedings. We know these communities because we work in them every day.

Geography matters in family law. Custody and parenting arrangements need to account for school locations, commute times, and where each parent lives after divorce. Support calculations require understanding local income levels and cost of living. Even simple logistics like meeting locations or serving divorce documents get easier when your lawyer knows the area. We make ourselves accessible to York Region families through flexible meeting options and responsive communication.

Understanding Your Rights in Ontario Family Law

Ontario’s Family Law Act governs most issues in divorce and separation. The law requires equal division of property accumulated during marriage, uses guidelines to calculate child support, and considers multiple factors when determining spousal support and custody arrangements. Knowing these rules helps you understand what to expect in divorce proceedings, custody decisions, and support disputes – and when you might need legal help.

You don’t always need a lawyer for family matters. Simple, uncontested divorces where parties agree on custody, support, and property can often proceed without lawyers. But most separations involve at least some disagreement about custody schedules, support amounts, or divorce terms – and that’s when legal advice becomes valuable. Even if you plan to handle things yourself, a consultation helps you spot potential issues and understand your options around custody, support, and divorce.

Some situations almost always require a lawyer. High-conflict custody cases, significant assets in divorce, business interests, child protection involvement, international custody issues, and situations involving family violence all benefit from legal representation. The cost of a lawyer is usually less than the cost of making mistakes in custody arrangements or support agreements that affect you for years. Learn about the divorce timeline in Ontario.

The law gives you rights in divorce, custody, and support matters – but you need to assert them. Property division claims must be made within time limits. Support obligations can be changed when circumstances change. Custody and access orders can be modified when needed. Understanding your rights means knowing when to act and what remedies are available. We help clients make informed decisions about when to negotiate custody schedules, when to stand firm on support amounts, when to finalize divorce terms, and when to ask the court for help.

How to Get Started with Nussbaum Law in Markham

Getting help with your divorce, custody concerns, or support issues starts with a phone call or contact form. We’ll schedule a free consultation at a time that works for you – mornings, evenings, or weekends. Consultations can happen by phone, video call, or in person, depending on what’s most convenient.

During your consultation, we’ll discuss what’s happening in your situation – whether you’re considering divorce, worried about custody arrangements, dealing with support disputes, or facing multiple issues at once. We’ll talk about what you hope to achieve and what options are available. We’ll explain how the law applies to your circumstances and what you can realistically expect in divorce proceedings, custody decisions, and support calculations. You’ll have time to ask questions, and we’ll give you honest answers about timing, costs, and likely outcomes.

If you decide to work with us, we’ll outline the next steps clearly. You’ll receive a retainer agreement explaining our fees and services. We’ll discuss what documents and information we need to move forward with your divorce, custody case, or support matter. From there, we start working on your case right away, keeping you informed at each stage and making sure you understand what’s happening and why.

Bring any relevant documents to your consultation if you have them – separation agreements, court orders, custody schedules, support calculations, financial records, or correspondence with your spouse. But don’t worry if you don’t have everything organized yet. We can help you gather what’s needed and figure out what information matters most for your divorce, custody arrangements, or support obligations. The important thing is taking that first step to get information and understand your options.

FAQs About Family Law in Markham

How much does a family lawyer cost in Markham?

Family lawyers in Markham typically charge between $300 and $600 per hour depending on experience and case complexity. Divorce, custody, and support cases vary in cost based on whether matters are contested. At Nussbaum Law, we offer transparent pricing and flexible payment arrangements. Your initial consultation is always free.

Where is the Newmarket Courthouse and how do I get there?

The Newmarket Courthouse is located at 50 Eagle Street West, Newmarket, ON L3Y 6B1. It’s about a 20-minute drive from central Markham via Highway 404 North. All Markham divorce applications, custody motions, and support hearings are heard here. The courthouse has designated parking and is fully wheelchair accessible. Family court matters can be reached at 905-853-4809.

Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in Markham?

You don’t legally need a lawyer for divorce in Markham. Simple, uncontested divorces without custody or support disputes can proceed without lawyers. However, most cases benefit from legal advice, especially when children, custody arrangements, support obligations, or property are involved. A consultation helps you understand whether you should handle your divorce yourself or hire representation.

How long does it take to get divorced in Markham?

Ontario requires one year of separation before granting divorce. After filing, uncontested divorces typically take 4-6 months to finalize. Contested divorces with ongoing custody or support disputes take longer, sometimes 1-2 years or more depending on complexity. The Newmarket Courthouse processes York Region divorces according to these timelines.

Can I change my child custody arrangement after separation?

Yes, custody and parenting arrangements can be modified when circumstances change significantly. Changes in work schedules, relocation, children’s needs, or parenting concerns can all justify custody modifications. You’ll need to show the court that changes serve the children’s interests. We help parents seek variations to custody orders when needed.

How is child support calculated in Markham?

Child support in Markham follows Ontario’s Child Support Guidelines, which use the paying parent’s income and number of children to determine base amounts. Special expenses (daycare, activities, medical costs) may increase support. Shared custody arrangements use different calculations. We help parents understand support obligations and ensure calculations account for all relevant income, including bonuses and stock options common in Markham’s technology sector.