Canada: Family Law

As estate planning lawyers, we constantly orbit the estate litigation galaxy, navigating to keep our clients’ estates from being pulled into the Black Hole of court. This blog is a guide for both estate planning lawyers and their clients to stay in “safe orbit” and navigate smartly around some of the most common estate litigation in the galaxy, with a nod to the late 1970s comedy science-fiction series “A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.”

Following are our summaries of the civil decisions of the Court of Appeal for Ontario for the week of September 14, 2026.

For many people in Ontario family court, the first case conference can feel uncertain. You may wonder whether anything meaningful can happen at this early stage, especially if disclosure is missing, support is needed, or temporary arrangements are required. While a case conference is not a trial, it can still be an important step in getting the case organized and moving forward.

A landmark Ontario legal case has resulted in a woman receiving compensation for her husband's abusive behavior, marking a significant first in the province's legal landscape. This precedent-setting decision explores the intersection of family law and civil liability, potentially reshaping how domestic abuse cases are handled in Canadian courts.

The Ontario Court of Appeal addresses critical questions in family law property division, international commercial arbitration jurisdiction, and professional licensing enforcement. These decisions examine when trust interests constitute gifts for equalization purposes, how non-parties may invoke arbitration clauses, and the stringent requirements for civil contempt findings against regulated professional associations.

When most people hear “child support,” they think of the regular payments from one parent to the other to cover a child’s everyday expenses, such as housing, food, and clothing.

Grey divorce—separation after age 50—is becoming increasingly common in Canada, bringing complex legal and financial challenges that differ significantly from traditional divorces. With retirement savings, pension division, and long-term financial stability at stake, understanding your legal rights and options is crucial when navigating a late-life separation.

The Supreme Court of Canada has recognized a novel intentional tort of intimate partner violence, fundamentally changing how coercive and controlling conduct in relationships is addressed under Canadian law. This landmark decision introduces a pattern-based approach that extends beyond traditional assault and battery claims, creating significant implications for liability insurers navigating policy exclusions and coverage disputes. As this new tort evolves beyond family law contexts into workplace harassmen

On May 21, 2026, Clark Wilson LLP partnered with Genus Capital Management to present Dementia, Diminished Capacity & Family Planning, an educational webinar exploring the legal and practical considerations surrounding...