Child custody and parenting arrangements are often the most emotionally charged issues in family law. At Atlantis Law, we understand that your relationship with your children is of paramount importance, and we are committed to helping you secure a custody arrangement that protects both your rights and the best interests of your children. Whether you are going through a divorce, separation, or dealing with a modification of existing custody arrangements, we are here to provide expert legal support every step of the way.
Our experienced family lawyers help you navigate complex custody issues with compassion and professionalism, ensuring that the final custody arrangement promotes stability and consistency for your children while protecting your rights as a parent.
In Ontario, child custody refers to the legal rights and responsibilities a parent has regarding their child’s care, upbringing, and decision-making. Custody is distinct from parenting time (formerly known as access), which refers to the time the child spends with each parent.
Legal custody refers to the right to make significant decisions about a child’s life, including decisions related to education, healthcare, religion, and general welfare. Joint legal custody means both parents share decision-making authority, while sole legal custody means one parent has the exclusive right to make these decisions.
Physical custody refers to where the child lives. Parents with primary physical custody have the child residing with them most of the time. In a shared physical custody arrangement, the child spends significant time living with both parents. This is often referred to as a shared parenting arrangement.
Ontario courts determine custody based on the best interests of the child, considering various factors including:
Once custody has been determined, the next step is to establish a parenting time arrangement. This outlines when and how each parent will spend time with the child. A fair parenting plan is essential for maintaining a stable routine for the child and minimizing disruption in their life.
This is a traditional arrangement where the child lives primarily with one parent, and the other parent has scheduled visitation time (weekends, holidays, and vacations).
In a shared parenting arrangement, both parents share significant time with the child, ensuring that both parents are involved in the child’s day-to-day life. This can include equal time or close to equal time with each parent, depending on the child’s needs and the parents’ ability to cooperate.
In cases involving safety concerns, such as allegations of abuse or neglect, a court may order supervised parenting time. This means that the parent’s time with the child will be monitored by a third party to ensure the child’s safety.
A detailed holiday and vacation schedule is often necessary to ensure that both parents have fair access to the child during important times of the year. This includes holidays, birthdays, and school breaks.
At Atlantis Law, we provide full-service legal support for all aspects of child custody and parenting arrangements. Our services include:
The length of time to resolve a child custody case depends on several factors, including whether the matter is contested or uncontested. If both parents can agree on a parenting arrangement, the process can be completed in a matter of weeks. However, if there are significant disagreements or court involvement is necessary, the process can take months or even years to resolve.
Our lawyers at Atlantis Law are committed to resolving custody cases as efficiently as possible while ensuring the best interests of your child are maintained.
If you are facing a child custody dispute or need help establishing a parenting plan, the legal team at Atlantis Law is here to help. We offer clear, compassionate legal advice to guide you through the custody process and ensure that your child’s welfare is always the priority.
Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your child custody and parenting arrangement case and learn how we can help you secure a positive future for your child.
Please fill out the form below, we will contact you as soon as possible.
We are here to help you navigate the legal aspects of your relationship and to support you every step of the way.
416-846-0196
info@atlantislaw.ca
120 Eglinton Ave E, 10 Floor,
Toronto, M4P 1E2
We are here to help you navigate the legal aspects of your relationship and to support you every step of the way.
416-846-0196
249-889-7616
info@atlantislaw.ca
120 Eglinton Ave E, 10 Floor,
Toronto, M4P 1E2
202 - 123 March Street, Sault Ste. Marie ON P6A 2Z5
Atlantis Law Professional Corporation is a leading-edge law firm, made up of a team with almost 20 years of experience. Since its establishment, Atlantis Law has consistently delivered legal services with a core mandate to provide reliable, solid and exceptional expertise that a reputable law firm can deliver.
Copyright 2025. All rights reserved | https://atlantislaw.ca/ | Design & Developed by 
Atlantis Law Professional Corporation is a leading-edge law firm, made up of a team with almost 20 years of experience. Since its establishment, Atlantis Law has consistently delivered legal services with a core mandate to provide reliable, solid and exceptional expertise that a reputable law firm can deliver.
Copyright 2025. All rights reserved | https://atlantislaw.ca/ | Design & Developed by