Aurora Parental Rights Lawyer

Parental rights are at the heart of most family law matters, particularly those involving custody, access, and decision-making responsibilities. In Ontario, the law recognizes the importance of a child having a meaningful relationship with both parents, where appropriate and safe. Whether you are navigating a separation, establishing parenting arrangements, or responding to a dispute, an experienced Aurora parental rights lawyer from Feldstein Family Law Group P.C. can help you protect your role and maintain a strong connection with your child.

We represent parents throughout the Aurora area in a wide range of parental rights matters, offering strategic legal support grounded in compassion and a deep understanding of Ontario’s family laws.

To speak with our experienced Aurora parental rights lawyers, call us at (905) 581-7222 or contact us online today. 

What Are Parental Rights in Ontario?

In Canada, the term “parental rights” refers to the legal authority and responsibilities a parent has in relation to their child. These rights include:

• The right to make decisions regarding the child’s education, health, religion, and general welfare
• The right to parenting time (formerly “access”) and communication with the child
• The right to be consulted on major decisions affecting the child’s life
• The right to participate in parenting arrangements that serve the child’s best interests

Following a separation or divorce, the courts aim to ensure that these rights are exercised in a way that prioritizes the child’s emotional, physical, and developmental needs.

Key Issues Related to Parental Rights

Our team works with clients to resolve and litigate issues that directly impact their parental rights. These include:

Decision-Making Responsibility

Previously called custody, decision-making responsibility refers to a parent's right to make important decisions about a child's upbringing. This can be shared between parents (joint decision-making) or granted to one parent alone (sole decision-making), depending on what is in the best interests of the child.

We help clients pursue fair decision-making arrangements and resolve disputes when parents disagree over education, health care, religion, or extracurricular involvement.

Parenting Time (Access)

Parenting time refers to the time a child spends in the care of a parent. The court generally encourages meaningful contact with both parents, as long as it is safe and beneficial for the child.

Whether you are seeking equal parenting time or a specific schedule, we help develop clear, practical parenting plans that promote stability and cooperation.

Relocation and Mobility Issues

When one parent wants to move to a different city, province, or country with the child, the other parent’s rights may be affected. These cases can be highly contentious and require careful legal navigation.

Our lawyers represent parents in mobility cases, whether they are opposing a proposed move or seeking the court’s permission to relocate with the child.

Denial or Interference with Parenting Time

One parent may withhold access or interfere with scheduled parenting time without justification in some cases. These actions can violate court orders and harm the child’s relationship with the other parent.

We advocate for enforcement of parenting orders and appropriate remedies when parental rights are being denied or undermined.

Unmarried and Non-Biological Parents

Parental rights are not limited to married or biological parents. Step-parents, adoptive parents, and same-sex parents may also have legal standing in family law matters, depending on the nature of their relationship with the child.

We provide legal advice and representation to all types of families, helping ensure that your bond with the child is recognized and protected under Ontario law.

The Best Interests of the Child: The Guiding Principle

All decisions regarding parental rights in Ontario are governed by the best interests of the child standard. This principle guides the court in determining what arrangements will most effectively support the child’s emotional, physical, and psychological well-being.

Factors considered include:

• The child’s needs, age, and stage of development
• The strength of the child’s relationship with each parent
• Each parent’s ability and willingness to meet the child’s needs
• The child’s views and preferences (when appropriate)
• The stability of each parent’s home environment
• Any history of family violence or abuse

Our Aurora parental rights lawyers are skilled in presenting clear, evidence-based arguments that align with the child’s best interests and your goals as a parent.

Protecting Your Parental Rights Through Negotiation or Litigation

Whenever possible, we promote resolution through negotiation, mediation, or collaborative family law methods. These approaches often lead to more cooperative parenting relationships and reduce the emotional toll on children.

However, when a fair resolution cannot be reached, we are prepared to represent you in family court. Whether you are seeking to establish parental rights or respond to an unfair claim, we provide assertive legal representation throughout the litigation process.

Modifying Parenting Orders

Life changes, and parenting plans sometimes need to change as well. If your circumstances or your child’s needs have evolved, we assist with modifying existing orders related to parenting time or decision-making responsibilities.

Examples of material changes that may justify a modification include:

• A parent’s relocation
• A change in the child’s schooling or medical needs
• A change in the work schedule or living situation of either parent
• Evidence of a parent’s inability to meet the child’s best interests

Our team ensures that any proposed changes are legally sound, clearly documented, and positioned for approval by the court.

Parental Alienation and High-Conflict Cases

Parental alienation occurs when one parent actively undermines or damages the child’s relationship with the other parent. This behaviour can have serious psychological effects on children and is taken seriously by Ontario courts.

We assist parents in documenting and addressing alienating behaviour, whether through court intervention or by seeking changes to the parenting arrangement that protect the child’s well-being and your parental rights.

Work With a Skilled Aurora Parental Rights Lawyer

Securing your parental rights requires more than just a legal filing—it requires a thoughtful, strategic approach backed by knowledge of Ontario’s family law framework and a deep commitment to the child’s best interests.

The Aurora parental rights lawyers at Feldstein Family Law Group P.C. provide trusted guidance through every phase of your parenting dispute or agreement. Whether you are seeking decision-making responsibility, parenting time, or enforcement of an existing order, our firm delivers the legal support you need to protect your relationship with your child.

To speak with our experienced Aurora parental rights lawyers, call us at (905) 581-7222 or contact us online today.