Richmond Hill Child Custody Lawyer

Support For Parents Making Difficult Child Custody Decisions

When you are separating or already living apart from your child’s other parent, questions about where your children will live and how decisions will be made can feel overwhelming. You may worry about losing time with your children or not having a say in important choices about their health, schooling, and activities. This is when many parents decide they need guidance from a child custody lawyer who understands both the law and the realities of parenting after separation.

At Feldstein Family Law Group P.C., we work with parents who live and work in the Richmond Hill area and across Ontario. Since 1994, our firm has focused on family law, including issues involving children, parenting time, and decision making. We know that no two families are the same, so we take time to understand your circumstances and help you explore options that keep your children’s needs at the center.

Our team strives to provide clear information and practical support at every step. Whether you expect to resolve matters through discussion or you are already involved in a more formal dispute, we can help you understand what the law says, what is realistic for your family, and what next steps may make sense.

To speak with our experienced Richmond Hill child custody lawyers, call us at (905) 581-7222 or contact us online today. 

Why Parents Turn To Our Firm For Child Custody Help

When parents start looking for a child custody lawyer Richmond Hill families can rely on, they often feel anxious and unsure where to begin. One of the first things they notice about our firm is our long-standing commitment to family law in Ontario. We have been helping parents with separation, parenting, and support issues since 1994, which means we have seen many different family structures and custody situations.

Feldstein Family Law Group P.C. was founded by Andrew Feldstein and is supported by a dedicated team of family law lawyers. Our work is focused on Ontario family law, including parenting arrangements, child support, separation agreements, and parental child abduction matters. This focus allows us to stay current with legal developments and to explain complex concepts in straightforward language.

Accessibility is also important. While our offices are in Markham, Vaughan, Mississauga, and Oakville, many of our clients live or work in and around Richmond Hill. Parents often tell us that having offices in nearby cities makes it easier to fit meetings into their schedules, whether they prefer in-person visits, virtual meetings, or a mix of both.

We also place a strong emphasis on education. Through our monthly Ask Andrew Show, we answer questions about Ontario family law in a practical and understandable way. This public education effort reflects how we work with our clients. We strive to ensure that you understand your options, the possible paths forward, and the potential impact each choice can have on your children.

How Child Custody Works In Ontario

Key Legal Terms You Will Hear

Parents often arrive with many questions about how child custody and parenting decisions are made under Ontario law. It can be confusing to hear new terms at a time when you are already under stress. We explain these concepts in everyday language so you can make informed choices.

In Ontario, the law now refers to decision-making responsibility and parenting time rather than custody and access. Decision-making responsibility is about who makes significant decisions for the child, such as those related to education, non-emergency health care, and religion. Parenting time refers to when the child is in the care of each parent, whether that is during weekdays, weekends, holidays, or special occasions.

The Best Interests Of The Child

Courts and professionals focus on the best interests of the child. This is not a single rule, but a set of factors that can include the child’s physical, emotional, and psychological needs, the stability of each home, each parent’s ability to care for the child, the history of caregiving, and the ability of the parents to cooperate. If there are safety concerns, such as family violence or substance misuse, these are also very important.

Many families do not go to trial to resolve parenting issues. Parents often reach parenting arrangements through negotiation, mediation, or by working out a separation agreement. Courts typically encourage parents to develop a parenting plan that reflects their children’s routines, relationships, and needs. Our role is to help you understand what the law considers in your situation and to work with you to pursue arrangements that are realistic and child-focused.

Common Parenting Arrangements & Custody Situations

Typical Parenting Schedules

Every family is different, but there are patterns in how parenting arrangements are structured after separation. Understanding these patterns can make the process feel less uncertain and can help you start thinking about what might work for your children.

Some families choose a structure where the child lives primarily with one parent and spends regular time with the other, for example every other weekend plus one weekday evening. Others use a shared parenting arrangement, where the child spends close to equal time with each parent, often using a week-on, week-off or 2-2-3 schedule. For younger children or those with complex needs, more customized routines may be appropriate so that transitions are manageable.

Realities For Families In & Around Richmond Hill

Parents in the Richmond Hill area often juggle work in nearby business centers with school and activity schedules. It is common for one parent to live in Richmond Hill and the other to live in a nearby city such as Markham or Vaughan. In these situations, parenting plans may need to account for commuting times, school locations, and the children’s extracurricular activities so that the schedule is practical for everyone involved.

Some families face additional complications. There may be high conflict between the parents, concerns about communication, or disagreements about potential moves that could affect the children’s ties to their school or community. In other situations, there may be specific worries about a child’s safety or wellbeing with one parent. We help parents think through these scenarios and work toward parenting plans that consider both legal requirements and the daily realities of their children’s lives.

What To Do If You Are Facing A Child Custody Dispute

Immediate Steps To Protect Your Children

Realizing that you may be entering a dispute about child custody or parenting time can be extremely stressful. You might feel pressure to act quickly, but careful steps taken early can protect your children and help you avoid decisions that are hard to change later.

A helpful starting point is to focus on your children’s routines and wellbeing. Try to keep school, activities, and medical appointments as consistent as possible, and avoid involving your children in adult disagreements. When you communicate with the other parent, aim to keep messages focused on the children and to keep a record of important exchanges, especially if conflict is escalating.

Gathering Information & Avoiding Common Mistakes

It can also be useful to gather information that provides a clear picture of your children’s lives. This might include school schedules and report cards, medical records, information about daycare or after-school programs, and a description of who has been responsible for day-to-day tasks such as homework, appointments, and activities. This type of information can be helpful if you later need to document the history of caregiving.

There are also some steps that parents usually try to avoid without first getting legal advice. These can include withholding the children from the other parent, making major changes to the children’s routines without discussion, or signing documents that permanently change parenting arrangements without fully understanding the consequences. Social media posts about the dispute can also create problems later.

Speaking with a family law lawyer early in the process can help you understand your options and reduce the risk of avoidable mistakes. Even if you hope to resolve everything through discussion, advice at the beginning can guide those conversations and help you prepare in case more formal steps become necessary.

How Our Team Supports Parents In The Richmond Hill Area

Accessible Meetings & Flexible Communication

When parents in this region decide they want guidance, they often look for a custody lawyer Richmond Hill families can reach without adding too much strain to their routines. Our offices in nearby Markham and Vaughan, along with locations in Mississauga and Oakville, allow us to meet with parents in person while also offering phone and virtual options when that is more convenient.

Our work together usually begins with an initial conversation where we listen carefully to your story. We ask about your children, their routines, your history of caregiving, any concerns you have, and what you hope to see in a future parenting arrangement. This helps us understand the full picture before we talk about legal options.

A Child-Focused Approach To Planning

Once we have a sense of your situation, we explain potential paths such as negotiation, mediation, collaborative processes, or court involvement when necessary. We discuss the pros and cons of each path and how they might apply to your family. Our goal is to help you weigh your choices in light of your children’s needs, the level of conflict, and your ability to communicate with the other parent.

Throughout the process, we focus on clear and regular communication. We make an effort to explain legal steps in plain language and to keep you updated about what is happening and why. Parents often tell us that having someone to turn to with questions, and knowing what to expect next, makes a difficult time more manageable.

In every matter, we work to keep the long-term impact on your children in view. Parenting arrangements made during separation can shape family life for years. We strive to support you in making decisions that are both legally sound and practical for your family’s daily life.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do Ontario courts decide who gets custody of a child?

Ontario courts base parenting and decision-making orders on what is in the best interests of the child. This involves looking at a range of factors such as the child’s physical, emotional, and psychological needs, the stability of each home, the history of caregiving, and each parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs. Courts also consider the child’s relationships with parents and other important people, and whether each parent is likely to support the child’s relationship with the other parent. If there are serious concerns, such as family violence or substance misuse, these are significant factors as well. We help parents understand how these considerations may relate to their specific circumstances.

Will my past role as a primary caregiver matter in a custody case?

A parent’s past caregiving role can be an important factor in parenting and decision-making decisions. Courts often look at who has been responsible for daily tasks such as getting the child to school, arranging medical appointments, helping with homework, and managing activities. This history can provide insight into what has worked well for the child and what may continue to support their stability. However, it is only one part of the overall assessment, and courts also consider current circumstances and each parent’s ability to care for the child going forward. We work with parents to present a clear and accurate picture of their caregiving history within the broader context of the case.

What if the other parent and I cannot agree on a parenting schedule?

If you and the other parent cannot agree on a parenting schedule, there are several possible paths. Many parents first try negotiation, sometimes with help from lawyers, to see if a parenting plan can be reached that both can accept. Some families use mediation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution, which can provide a structured setting for discussion. If agreement still is not possible, a court may need to make decisions about parenting time and decision-making responsibility. In that setting, the court looks at the best interests of the child and the evidence presented. Our team can help you prepare for discussions, explore settlement options, and, when necessary, guide you through court processes.

Do I need a local family law lawyer if I live in Richmond Hill?

Working with a family law lawyer who understands Ontario law and is familiar with the courts that hear cases for families from Richmond Hill can be helpful. Parenting and custody matters are shaped by provincial legislation and by how these laws are applied in practice. Our offices in Markham and Vaughan are close for many Richmond Hill residents, which can make it easier to meet when needed while still using virtual meetings for convenience. We serve parents across the region and focus our work on Ontario family law, which helps us provide guidance that fits the legal framework you will be dealing with.

How long do child custody and parenting matters usually take?

The length of time a parenting or custody matter takes can vary. When parents are able to reach an agreement through discussion or mediation, matters can sometimes be resolved relatively quickly, especially if there are no urgent disputes. If conflict is higher, or if court involvement is required, the process can take longer, and timing may be affected by court schedules, the need for reports, and the complexity of the issues. We talk with you early about the different stages that may be involved and the factors that can affect timing, so you have a realistic sense of what to expect.

How will your team communicate with me during my custody case?

Clear communication is an important part of how we work with parents. We explain our communication practices at the beginning of our work together so you know how to reach us and when to expect updates. We aim to provide information in plain language, whether by email, phone, or during meetings, and we take your questions seriously. Our goal is for you to understand each step, the reasons for it, and the choices available to you, rather than feeling left in the dark.

Can you help if I am worried about my child’s safety with the other parent?

If you are worried about your child’s safety with the other parent, it is important to take those concerns seriously and to seek advice promptly. Safety concerns can include issues such as family violence, substance use, or situations where a child may not be properly supervised. The appropriate steps depend on the specifics of your situation and may involve a combination of legal and practical measures. We can discuss your concerns, explain possible options, and help you understand how courts typically view and address safety issues involving children.

Talk With Our Team About Your Child Custody Concerns

Taking the step to speak with a family law professional about child custody can feel daunting, particularly when you are trying to protect your children and manage daily life at the same time. Many parents find that having clear information and a plan reduces some of the worry and helps them move forward more confidently.

Feldstein Family Law Group P.C. has focused on family law in Ontario since 1994, working with parents across the region, including many who live or work in and around Richmond Hill. Our goal is to help you understand your options, consider what is best for your children, and pursue arrangements that are both practical and child-focused. We will take the time to listen to your story and explain possible paths in clear terms.

To speak with our experienced Richmond Hill child custody lawyers, call us at (905) 581-7222 or contact us online today.