Child & Family
Advocacy Services

Powerful. Persuasive. Passionate.

416-925-2123

Smithen Law Services

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Tough but fair negotiators.

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Results-oriented approach.

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Specialize in high conflict family law cases.

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Make each client feel important.

Why choose SMITHEN Law, Child & Family Advocacy

You Have Control

Court should be the last resort to make important decisions about you and your family’s future. You should control the decision-making process as much as possible.

Creative Solutions

We help you find a solution that is tailored to your unique situation. There is nothing “cookie-cutter” to our approach to your family law needs.

Friendly and Warm

As we help you sort through the family law issues you’re facing, our focus is on supporting you at every step of the process. We know this will be one of the most emotionally challenging times of your life. We’re here to help you through it.

Respect for your needs

Helping you resolve your family law issues means respecting your informed choices through the process. This is your life and we’re here to help you get the result you want.

SMITHEN Law Team

We understand that you’re looking for a legal team with the ability to deliver exceptional advocacy. We know alternative ways to resolve disputes. While we work regularly in mediation and arbitration, we also have significant motion and trial experience. We regularly represent family law clients in multiple locations of the Ontario Court of Justice and the Superior Court of Justice in and around the Greater Toronto Area and beyond.

Kathryn L. Smithen

SENIOR LAWYER

Kathy is a powerful advocate who strategically advocates for her clients in Ontario courts. She has also promoted her clients’ claims in private mediation and arbitration before some of this country’s most respected arbitrators.

Armando J. Dominguez

SENIOR LAW CLERK

Armando joined the firm in May of 2014. He is a graduate of the Law Clerk Diploma (Honours) program at Humber College. Armando brings over eleven years of dedicated and passionate experience of working exclusively in family law to the firm.

Services

Family law is the singular focus of SMITHEN Law, Child & Family Advocacy. We practice it, write about it and speak about it every chance we get. Powerful, persuasive and passionate advocacy is the foundation of the work we do, for each and every client.

Separation

Marital separation occurs when partners to a marriage stop living together. A separation can be initiated informally, or there can be a legal separation with a formal separation agreement.

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Family Law

Family law (also called matrimonial law or the law of domestic relations) is an area of the law that deals with family matters and domestic relations.

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Separation

Marital separation occurs when partners to a marriage stop living together. A separation can be initiated informally, or there can be a legal separation with a formal separation agreement.

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Divorce

Divorce is the termination of a marriage, the canceling or reorganizing of the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage, thus dissolving the bonds of matrimony between a married couple.

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Same Sex Divorce

The dissolution of civil marriage, union, and domestic partnership to same-sex couples.

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Spousal Support

A legal obligation on a person to provide financial support to their spouse before or after marital separation or divorce. The obligation arises from the terms of divorce law or family law.

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Division of Property

Also known as equitable distribution, is a judicial division of property rights and obligations between spouses during divorce. It may be done by agreement, through a property settlement, or by judicial decree.
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Alternative Dispute Resolution

A collective term, which includes dispute resolution processes and techniques, that describes the ways that parties can settle disputes, with the help of a third party.
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Child Support

An ongoing, periodic payment made by a parent for the financial benefit of a child (or parent, caregiver, guardian) following the end of a marriage or other relationship.

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Alternative Dispute Resolution

A collective term, which includes dispute resolution processes and techniques, that describes the ways that parties can settle disputes, with the help of a third party.
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Child Custody

A legal term used to describe the legal and practical relationship between a parent or guardian and a child in that person’s care, such as the right to make decisions on behalf of a child and the duty to care for and support the child.
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Cohabitation Agreement

A form of legal agreement reached between a couple who have chosen to live together.

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If there is a pressing family law issue in your life, we’re available to help you.

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What our clients have to say

“K. Smithen was a wonderful lawyer to work with. She was attentive to my situation and closely followed my case every step of the way. She listened to my story, answered all my legal questions, and worked very hard in the progression of my legal matter. She is a passionate lawyer and fights for the best interest of her client and the child. She was extremely professional and managed the case with such grace. Overall strong family law lawyer. You’re more that just another person with K. Smithen; she is a compassionate person that works very hard to meet your needs. Strongly recommend her!!”

M.O., client review,
March 27, 2017
lawyerratingz.com

“Ms. Smithen is professional and cares for her clients. I was able to focus in my situation and relay all the legal stuff to her. Due to her knowledge, I was able to secure a home for my kids. She offers good advice and makes sure the job gets done. Her rates are fair and the quality of her job is excellent. She is prompt to respond even on weekends or evenings. During the worst time of my life I felt protected and cared for. Without her I would have been a mess. She is strong communicator and when in court she has a great presence and makes you feel comfortable in an unfamiliar environment. When sick you call a doctor. With a divorce, you want her representing you.”

L.K., client review
March 22, 2017
lawyerratingz.com

“Dear Kathy, Thank you so much for having all that you have done as my lawyer. You truly are doing an amazing job so far. I am so glad that you understood my situation. I love that you are meticulous in your approach. I am grateful to you because my children are now able to get the help as needed. just want you know that I acknowledge how hard you work and I do appreciate that. When I did my research in looking for a lawyer, I want you to know that I did come upon some of your history, but none the less this never bothered me. In fact, I want you to know for someone that has come such a long way in her journey of ups and downs and who you have become today, that’s quite amazing. So thank you for being YOU!”

M.K., letter from client
December 23, 2016

“Mrs. Smithen is a wonderful lawyer who helped me get out of a violent marriage. She was kind and gentle with me and my kids. She knew what my concerns were before I even asked her about things. She was very tough but fair and polite with my husband’s lawyer and made it clear that she was sticking by me no matter what. She seemed to know everybody who worked at the court house from the clerks to the police officers. I always felt in good hands and protected even though I was scared to death of going to court. If I had to go through it all again, she is the only lawyer I would trust to be my champion.”

K.Q., client review
December 31, 2015
lawyerratingz.com

We’re Looking Forward To Meeting You

Whatever your family law challenge may be, we realize that it is the most pressing and important thing in your life. Simple or complex, we are here to enthusiastically serve you.

Book A Free Case Evaluation

SMITHEN Law

Child & Family Advocacy Services

25 Montgomery Avenue, Suite 1109
Toronto, ON M4R 0A1

PHONE: +1 416-925-2123

Services