Matthew TremblayAh, family legal battles — the rollercoaster ride nobody asked for, but everyone ends up strapped into. Just imagine being stuck in a legal quagmire without a family lawyer.
Family law can be quite complicated, from prenuptial agreements to divorce settlements. Unless you’re secretly moonlighting as a family lawyer, you’re in for a wild and bumpy ride!
But fear not — we’ve sifted through the legal haystack to find you the sharpest needles in the family law pile. From big firms to boutique gems, we’ve got your back.
So, let’s ditch the legal jargon and join us as we investigate why having these legal maestros by your side isn’t just a luxury — it’s a necessity for surviving the family legal jungle.
| How much do family lawyers charge in Halifax? Family lawyer fees range from $100 to $1,000 per hour. This depends on factors like the lawyer’s experience and the complexity of your case. Note that this rate doesn’t cover other billable tasks like phone calls, research, or time spent in court, among others. |
How We Chose the Best Family Lawyers in Halifax
MDW Law
Website: http://www.mdwlaw.ca/
Address: 5755 Young St
Contact Details: +1 902-422-5881
Operating Hours:
- Closed from Saturday to Sunday
- Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
MDW Law was founded by Mary Jane McGinty, who recently earned the prestigious King’s Counsel (KC) designation, given annually to lawyers for their outstanding contributions to the legal community.
Five of their lawyers were named Best Lawyers in Canada for 2024 in family law and family mediation, among other disciplines.
One notable lawyer, Christine Doucet, even became a judge in the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia’s Family Division in 2024.
The firm handles various aspects of family law, such as property division for married couples, child support, and adoption.
We learned clients appreciate the firm’s knowledge and attention to detail. For example, one client valued the lawyers’ thorough explanation of the Matrimonial Property Act of Canada, helping her understand the financial implications of her separation and divorce.
However, we don’t like that scheduling appointments can be challenging due to the lawyers’ busy schedules. Communication appears to be an issue as some clients report unanswered calls and infrequent follow-ups.
Also, one client experienced frustration when after months of contact, they had to restart with a different lawyer.
Pros
- Specializes in Family Law, Wills & Estates, and Personal Injury
- Lawyer-turned-judge in the firm
- Detailed and knowledgeable client discussions
Cons
- Limited appointment availability
- Communication issues
- Lack of consistent follow-up
Respectful, fair, and careful
“I would definitely recommend MDW Law for Family Law. The lawyers I have had experience with are Angela Walker & Kim Johnson. They tread carefully in family negotiation & keep the proceedings fair & equitable. They realize the importance of family.”
gail drisdelle, Google Reviews
Knowledgeable, responsive, and detailed
“Angela Walker of MDW Law handled the adoption of our son. She was very knowledgeable, responded readily to our questions and got the adoption done quickly. She kept the emphasis on keeping this a joyous occasion for us by looking after all of the details expeditiously.”
Donna Warner, Google Reviews
Teryl Scott Lawyers Inc.
Website: https://www.terylscott.ca/
Address: 380 Bedford Hwy Suite 101
Contact Details: +1 902-706-5030
Operating Hours:
- Closed from Saturday to Sunday
- Monday to Wednesday: 8 AM–5:30 PM
- Thursday to Friday: 8:30 AM–5:30 PM
Teryl Scott Lawyers Inc. has over 25 years of experience in family law. The firm is led by Lisa Teryl, a member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society.
In addition to general family law, they provide services in divorce mediation and adoption. They also offer a unique four-week High Conflict Divorce Program where a neutral legal facilitator manages participants’ communications to prevent conflicts.
We like their flat-fee mediation programs, which let you get separated within three to five weeks (no matter the conflict level) and divorced soon after. This reduces the expenses of divorce, leaving more money for your family.
What we appreciate most is their pay-as-you-go services, with no retainer required. This lets you manage your legal budget as needed.
However, some clients noted that some of the firm’s lawyers seemed rushed and disinterested in their cases. One even mentioned they were unprofessional and insensitive to her situation.
Pros
- Over 25 years of experience
- Flat-fee mediation programs
- No retainer required with pay-as-you-go services
Cons
- Some lawyers appear rushed and disinterested
- Reports of unprofessional and insensitive behavior
Easy to talk to, quick to understand, and gave clear advice
“Tandiwe reviewed divorce documents my ex’s lawyer had prepared. She was easy to talk to and quickly understood the details of my situation. She gave excellent, clear advice that led me to ask for a revision that both my ex and I wanted (and that his lawyer had said a judge wouldn’t allow). Our divorce went through with the revision. I only needed to meet with Tandiwe once because she helped me achieve everything in one session. I’m incredibly grateful I landed in her office and simply can’t recommend her highly enough.”
Charlie Peak, Google Reviews
Kind, caring, compassionate
“Lisa is incredible. Kind, caring and compassionate. As well as knowledgeable. I couldn’t have made it through to the end of my divorce without her support! I would highly recommend her!!!”
Courtney Blandin, Google Reviews
Brookshire Law Office
Website: https://www.brookshirelawoffice.com/
Address: 380 Bedford Hwy Suite 102
Contact Details: +1 902-835-2726
Operating Hours:
- Closed from Saturday to Sunday
- Monday to Friday: 8 AM–5 PM
Brookshire Law Office has over 25 years of experience in handling various family law matters, including divorces, adoptions, and marriage contracts.
They handle various family matters like contested and uncontested divorces, agreements for cohabitation, and prenuptial agreements
We like that they offer flexible payment options like “pay-as-you-go” and “flat rate” to help clients manage costs without retainers.
Clients commend the firm for its competence and expertise in family law matters, often feeling supported throughout their cases.
However, some have reported occasional administrative errors and instances of lawyers seeming disengaged. One client noted communication issues during an online meeting, made worse by the unexpected presence of an intern.
Pros
- Over 25 years of experience in family law
- Flexible payment options
- Competent and knowledgeable legal representation
- Shows support for clients
Cons
- Occasional lapses in filing information
- Reports of lawyers appearing disengaged
- Communication issues during online meetings
Knowledgeable, dedicated, and professional
“Highly recommend. The best in HRM!
Words can’t express the gratitude I have for this Law Firm, especially for Mr. Scott and Ms. Frith! Both are well versed and their level of dedication to help resolve issues in a professional manner are impeccable.
They walked me through the process of a complicated divorce and I felt very supported every step of the way. I felt like they went above and beyond ensuring I was informed and prepared for court. The receptionist at the front desk was always attentive and friendly, as well.”
Anna Brewer, Google Reviews
Helpful and patient in making divorce easy
“Just had my divorce done 👍. Shawn Scott. Your the best. You and your firm. You guys made it so easy. Thanks so much. It only took me 16 years to get it done. I’ve been living with the stress from it . Thank you. !!🙏”
Sheldon Fader, Google Reviews
CIR LAW Inc
Website: https://cirobinsonlaw.ca/
Address: 5536 Sackville St #700
Contact Details: +1 902-423-6900
Operating Hours:
- Closed from Saturday to Sunday
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM–5 PM
Christopher Robinson founded CIR Law Inc. and has represented clients in various courts in Nova Scotia, including the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.
Christopher specializes in family law, focusing on divorce, custody, support, and property division.
On a greener note, we like that CIR Law values sustainability. They use secure technologies to reduce paper use and allow flexible work beyond the office.
Clients praise Chris for his straightforward, honest approach, which they feel speeds up the legal process. On top of that, clients prefer the focused attention from this smaller firm compared to larger ones.
However, we have concerns regarding communication. Some clients were unhappy with inconsistent rate quotes for the same service, leading to confusion.
Additionally, there have been reports of poor callback practices, with some inquiries going unanswered.
Pros
- Strong focus on family law
- Sustainable practices
- Honest and straightforward approach
- Faster filing and resolution of cases
Cons
- Inconsistent quotes for services
- Poor callback practices
Responsive, efficient, and straightforward
“After my partner struggled with another lawyer in a year long divorce battle that wouldn’t end. We made the decision to hire Chris Robinson to represent us. Immediately after meeting with him we felt a sense of relief, I knew he was going to get this done for us. He gave us excellent advice, was incredibly quick to respond to any questions or concerns and ultimately got us the results we needed and wanted. It took Chris weeks to get us what another lawyer couldn’t do in a year. He is honest, straightforward and no beating around the bush. You will not regret having him on your side.”
Ashleigh, Google Reviews
Versatile, supportive, and knowledgeable
“CIR Law is a smaller firm but very versatile in the matters they deal with. Mitch Broughton is very fair-minded but very supportive of his clients wishes. And I daresay Mitch is now knowledgeable/up to speed in dealing with marital/relationship breakdowns that may involve Veterans Affairs Canada, SISIP MANULIFE LTD and CPP matters.”
sifton mosher, Google Reviews
Fitch Violande Warcop, Barristers and Solicitors
Website: http://www.fitchviolande.com/
Address: 7071 Bayers Rd #301
Contact Details: +1 902-701-2965
Operating Hours:
- Closed from Saturday to Sunday
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM–5 PM
Fitch Violande Warcop, Barristers and Solicitors is a small law firm that focuses on divorce proceedings, parenting and support act proceedings, and cohabitation and marriage agreements.
We learned that clients find the firm fair, honest, and direct. According to them, the lawyers have a good understanding of the legal system and advocate effectively for their clients.
Many believe their pricing is fair for the quality of service provided. We also like that the firm explains the law in simple terms and offers multiple options, outlining the pros and cons of each.
However, some clients were unhappy with unanswered calls. There were also complaints about lawyers dropping clients abruptly.
Pros
- Fair, honest, and direct
- Good understanding of the legal system
- Fair pricing for quality service
- Clear explanations of the law
- Multiple options with pros and cons
Cons
- Unanswered calls
- Lawyers dropping clients abruptly
Professional and responsive
“Nick was professional, always returned my emails and calls couldn’t of asked for a better lawyer through this rough time”
chris Ferguson, Google Reviews
Knowledgeable, accommodating, and flexible
“Fitch Violande offered such professional and understandable advice, answers to our questions, and explaination of our documents. They were so accommodating, kind, and flexible with our schedule, despite tight deadlines. Thank you to everyone on their team.”
Alexa Camp, Google Reviews
