By AILIN HE, LL.B., MSc The amendments to the federal Divorce Act came into force on March 1, 2021. The following is a summary of important changes: 1. Terminology: “custody” and “access” have been replaced with “decision making responsibility” and “parenting time”; 2. Family dispute resolution: lawyers must inform and encourage clients to participate in...Read More

By John T. Syrtash, Associate, Garfin Zeidenberg LLP, a Toronto family law lawyer for the past 40 years. We’re getting married, and will live in the home that I own. My brother, who is divorced, says I would lose the house if we were to divorce. How can that be? Syrtash: People spend a lot...Read More

By John T. Syrtash, Associate, Garfin Zeidenberg LLP, a Toronto family law lawyer for 40  years.  If you are facing a parental kidnapping, child abduction to the USA, or other parental  international child abduction:  1.       Call the Police.  Explain the urgency of the abduction and give as much information as needed.  Amber alerts are now being made...Read More

Today (April 9, 2021), Mr. Syrtash celebrates his fortieth anniversary of being called to the Bar as a lawyer, following his attendance at Queen’s University Law School, Osgoode Hall Law School (York University), and the University of Toronto. This is a momentous accomplishment. Since 1981, he has acted as family law Counsel to hundreds of...Read More

Case Comment: Amaya v. Bobb [2020] O.J. No. 5877 (Ontario Court of Justice, Toronto):  transportation of  a child when a parent relocates without consent or Court Order By Ailin He* and John Syrtash** Absent written consent from the other parent, the parent who wishes to relocate with the children should always obtain a court order...Read More