Family Lawyer, Patricia B. Simpson Professional Corporation

Separation is difficult enough. Your lawyer should facilitate solutions and not add to your problems. I offer patient and responsive representation and clear advice about your rights and responsibilities when a relationship ends.  My separating clients are looking to resolve their legal issues in the most collaborative, amicable and efficient manner possible. 

I also help clients to negotiate marriage contracts and cohabitation agreements.  My clients appreciate the peace of mind that comes from having healthy discussions and mutual understanding about what will happen financially if their relationship ends.

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Looking for a Family Lawyer in Kanata?

Divorce.  Separation.  Marriage Contract.  Cohabitation Agreement.  Unbundled Services.  Independent Legal Advice.  

Let's Talk

Settlement Focused Family Law Services in Kanata

Patricia Simpson is a family lawyer in Kanata, Ontario. She provides her clients with reliable advice about their family matters and about the processes available to negotiate and resolve any issues. She offers a no charge 15 minute telephone call so that you can tell her about your matter and decide if you might work well together. Call or email to arrange.

A lawyer in a plaid suit jacket is signing a document with a black pen. The document has a circular blue and green emblem on the bottom right corner. The lawyer's other hand is resting on the desk.

Separation Agreement

A separation agreement is a legally binding document that contains the terms of settlement reached by you and your ex.

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Two elderly people, wearing jackets, walk hand in hand down a sunlit forest path. The surroundings include tall trees and bare branches, suggesting it's autumn or winter. The couple is captured from behind, enjoying a peaceful stroll in nature, perhaps reminiscing about their years together since the prenup.

Cohabitation Agreement or Marriage Contract

Often referred to as “pre-nup” or a domestic contract, a marriage contract or cohabitation agreement sets out terms that you and your partner agree should apply if your relationship ends.

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Close-up of two gold wedding rings resting on a beige surface. The rings are slightly worn, featuring a subtle pattern along their edges, symbolizing both the enduring journey of commitment and the shadows cast by the possibility of divorce. The image is warmly lit, emphasizing their golden hue.

Divorce

Personalized solutions and advocate for your interests to achieve a fair and amicable resolution to your divorce case. A divorce is required if a party wants to re-marry.

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Legal Process Options

Relationships are all different. Clients need different kinds of help with their family matters.

Some couples have agreed on many things and need help “papering” their agreement. In that case I can draft a separation agreement or domestic contract, or provide you with independent legal advice (“ILA”) if your spouse’s lawyer did the drafting.

Some couples are going to mediation and my client needs some advice before or during that process, or needs ILA once the mediator has prepared a draft separation agreement.
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Some couples need help with the negotiation. I can coach you through some of the discussions, or carry out the discussions with your spouse’s lawyer.
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I recommend the collaborative process when there are many moving parts. In the collaborative process you and your spouse each have a collaboratively trained lawyer to advise and assist you. We use family professionals and financial professionals to make the process and negotiation more efficient and productive. We are all committed to a respectful process that recognizes that you are beginning a new and different chapter as a family.

News

Family Law Blog

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Spousal Support in Ottawa, Ontario

How Does Spousal Support Work?
Spousal support (sometimes called alimony or maintenance in jurisdictions other than Ontario) is money that one spouse pays to his or her ex, usually on a periodic basis (monthly being the most common) but sometimes in a lump sum, to financially support the ex. Not every marriage and common law relationship results in an entitlement to spousal support.

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Jan 24, 2025
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Child Support in Ottawa, Ontario

The Federal Child Support Guidelines are intended to establish fair and objective amounts for support of children after separation.  The Guidelines set out a table of monthly child support based on province of residence, number of children, and annual income of the...

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Apr 3, 2024
Close-up of a key inserted into a door lock with several keys on the keyring, symbolizing separation. The door is slightly open, revealing an outdoor area with greenery and sunlight filtering through. The door appears to be wooden with a brass handle.

How Property Gets Divided on Separation

The information here is specific to Ontario, and the answer depends on whether the couple is married or living common-law, and on whether the couple has a cohabitation agreement or marriage contract.

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Feb 6, 2024
A motivational lightbox sign displaying the message “YOU GOT THIS” sits on a wooden desk. Nearby are a closed black notebook and an open laptop, partially visible in the foreground. The ambiance suggests a workspace, perfect for planning something as constructive as a collaborative divorce.

Why a Collaborative Divorce Makes Sense

Find out Who Can Benefit from a Collaborative Divorce, How the Collaborative Process Works, Why Collaborative Separation Works. Contact Pat Simpson to discuss if a collaborative separation could work for you.

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Jan 12, 2024
Two small birds perched on the edge of a water-filled birdbath, like a prenup agreement defining their space. The bird on the left has blue and yellow plumage, while the bird on the right is grayish-white and appears to be chirping. A blurred green background with leaves and brick is visible. used for pre-nup blog post

SHOULD I HAVE A PRE-NUP?

In Ontario, what many people commonly refer to as "pre-nups" are actually called marriage contracts or cohabitation agreements. These legal documents outline how assets and responsibilities will be handled in the event of a separation, divorce, or death. Both...

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Jul 7, 2023
A person wearing a beige blouse and black skirt is seen in a close-up, removing a ring from their finger with both hands—perhaps symbolizing the end of a marriage. The image focuses on their hands and the ring, with a blurred background.

Top 10 Tips for an Easier Divorce

WATCH THE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE Welcome. Thank you for joining Collaborative Divorce Ottawa's presentation of the top 10 tips for an easier divorce. I'm Pat Simpson. I'm a lawyer in Ottawa practicing with Low Murchison Radnoff with a settlement focused type of practice....

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Jun 9, 2023
A long, straight road stretches into the horizon under a partly cloudy sky, resembling the uncharted journey of a prenup. Flanked by open fields with dry grass, it gives a sense of vastness and solitude. Above, grey and white clouds mix with patches of blue peeking through. Used for Thinking About Separating blog post.

Thinking About Separating?

Separating from a spouse or common-law partner is one of the most significant and life-changing choices you may ever face. This process often brings with it a range of emotional and practical challenges, impacting nearly every aspect of your daily life. From...

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May 18, 2023