Child Custody & Access

Custody and access have new names in Ontario: parenting time and decision-making. The names have changed; what's at stake for you hasn't: your time with your children, and your say in how they're raised. We help you protect both, so you're never sidelined in your children's lives.

In Ontario family law, the older terms “child custody” and “access” have been replaced with “parenting time and decision-making responsibility” to better reflect a more cooperative, child-centred approach. These changes focus on keeping both parents actively involved in the child's life and making important decisions together wherever possible.

Drake family lawyers help parents in London, Sarnia, Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton and Toronto navigate parenting time and decision-making responsibility after separation. Your child's well-being comes first, and we know how much stability matters during a hard transition. After a separation or divorce, parents need to work out how time with the children, and responsibility for them, will be shared.

Every family is different, and how decisions get made should reflect your circumstances and the best interests of your children. Our team will handle the process, explain your options under the Family Law Act (Ontario) and Divorce Act (Canada), and advocate for an arrangement that protects your role in your children's lives.